"I'm a massive Rihanna fan" - Serena Williams excited to see Rihanna perform at Super Bowl, reveals Barbadian superstar's song that 'makes her cry'

More than the big 2023 Super Bowl game itself, Serena Williams is highly excited to see music superstar Rihanna perform during the half-time show. The tennis legend expressed her admiration for the Barbadian superstar, showing anticipation for her much-awaited stage performance, while also revealing the Rihanna song that 'makes her cry.'

34-year-old Rihanna's upcoming Super Bowl performance has drawn great excitement as she is set to perform on stage for the first time in seven years, during the break between the championship match between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Calling herself a "massive Rihanna fan," Serena Williams cannot wait to see Rihanna perform live after such a long time. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion hopes Rihanna performs her famous song 'Lift Me Up', which she sang for the highly popular movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and which brings Williams to tears each time she listens to it.

"I sure hope she (Rihanna) does [“Lift Me Up”]. It makes me cry every time. It’s such a good song," Serena Williams told ESSENCE.

"I’m such a massive Rihanna fan. I just was so happy that she did that song for [Black Panther: Wakanda Forever] and I’m so happy that she is doing the Super Bowl. It’ll be really exciting," the American added.

The song 'Lift Me Up' is an emotional tribute to the late actor Chadwick Boseman and Williams fell in love with it the moment she first heard it. Sharing Rihanna's social media post about the song on her Instagram story after it was released last year, Williams expressed,

"I am lifted!!!"

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"Woke up to a champ brightening my day" - When Rihanna was thrilled to see Serena Williams dancing on one of her songs

Serena Williams and Rihanna have even met each other in the past.

Serena Williams was once seen showing off her great dance moves while performing on the 2017 song Lemon, which features Rihanna. Staying true to her love and respect for Rihanna, Williams was at her energetic best while dancing to the song, and her moves even caught the attention of Rihanna herself. Thrilled to see Williams shaking a leg for her song, the Barbadian was thrilled, to say the least.

"Woke up to a champ brightening my day like..... @serenawilliams this song just got better thanks to you girl #Lemon," Rihanna posted on Instagram, sharing a video of Williams' dance.

Williams herself will be seen during the Super Bowl as part of a star-studded commercial for Michelob Ultra, where the seven-time Wimbledon champion will be seen playing a bit of golf.