What Did Stephen A Smith Say About Rihanna?
Liam Parker
Updated on March 16, 2026
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith is again under fire for something he said on television, but this time it has nothing to do with sports.
On The Sherri Show in his Wednesday appearance, Smith admitted that he was excited for Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show this year, but he also wishes a different artist was performing: Beyonce
“I don’t want to say I’m not excited. She’s fantastic. That’s not where I’m going with this. Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things, she’s spectacular actually and congratulations on new mamahood. There’s one thing that she’s not. She ain’t Beyoncé.”
After his statement, the mixed reaction of people can be seen. At the time some clapped for the anchor for his bold opinion, while others booed Stephen A. Smith. Several people were heard booing until Shepherd intervened and said that “Beyonce’s time was up” at the Super Bowl and now it was Rihanna’s turn.
Sherri Shepherd expressed her excitement over Rihanna’s return to the stage, especially after recently giving birth to her first child.
Sherri Shepherd isn’t the only celebrity to express excitement over Rihanna’s performance. Rihanna’s baby daddy, A$AP Rocky, also said in an interview with Apple Music that he was “so happy” to see his “lady” making music and “putting it out there.”He also said that Rihanna was going to “bring it” and that he was “honestly, more excited than everybody”.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith apologises in the tweet and expressed that her upcoming performance would not fail.
Horrific mistake. Something that was suppose to be a fun moment on the Sherri Shepard show has gotten out of hand. An overzealous member on my MGMT team — which has access to my account — posted something I would NEVER say about @rihanna, her fans or any other artist. The post…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 18, 2023
