Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith is renowned for saying his mind. As such, it was little surprise that he didn’t hold back when quizzed about Rihanna‘s upcoming performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show during his appearance on the Sherri Shepherd show today (January 18).
And he drew on none other than Beyonce to make a bold remark.
Full story below…
When quizzed about whether he’s hyped for RiRi’s showing on February 12, Smith said he is but made clear to stress “she ain’t Beyonce.”
Darting between praising the Bajan belle and re-affirming his point, he continued:
“Rihanna’s music is fantastic. She’s great. She’s a sister. I love her dearly, I listen to her music, I’m gonna support her ’til the cows come home.“
Further contextualizing his stance, Smith said:
“That’s not throwing shade on them. That’s appreciating their greatness, but understanding there’s…levels.
Watch the full clip:
Do you agree?
Update: Smith has issued an apology to Rihanna:
Apologies to Rihanna for my words, gotta be more careful! pic.twitter.com/RLcsaQAJ4v
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 18, 2023
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I understand his point. Facts. But he shouldn’t have named Beyoncé.
He could have left it to there’s levels and says he’s still rooting for Rih.
It looks like she didn’t get in shape for a very dynamic performance
But damn why you got to do her like that.
imagine that her guest performers are Chris Brown, Drake, and at the end ASAP Rocky.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Don’t know if it will matter much but she still has time to get in shape. But I agree, he could have kept that thought to himself or at least off air, Sherri did not ask him to make any comparison. Then again, she asked what he thought about it and he told her, just could have been a little less harsh.
imagine that her guest performers are Chris Brown, Drake, and at the end ASAP Rocky.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think she will bring Lizo, Sza and ASAP
Superbowl is rather overrated when you consider the fact that MJ and Beyonces best performance set did not take place at the Superbowl…
Rihanna is going to stay FAT and not lose any weight so dancing isn’t to be expected so a great show is also not to be expected lol
*KANYE SHRUGS*
MJ and Beyonces best performance set did not take place at the Superbowl…
what do you mean?
Completely agree, 100 %, she is no where near Beyonce’s level when it comes to performing.
Wow…that so called apology was really just a double down, but hey, he said what he meant and he meant what he said.
They both have their pros and cons…
Beyoncé is the better singer, technically, whilst also being a better dancer and all-around performer, whereas Rihanna has more character, personality and exudes more emotion when she sings, making it more relatable.
If Rihanna has all of those things then why is she a stiff deer in headlights on stage? She’s one of the worst performers EVER. And it doesn’t help that she’s a fattie now I can imagine her being even more lethargic on stage.
F*ck the Superbowl.
Football is so desperate for Black viewership after the whole Kaepernick incident. Beyonce gave her all for an Insinuation who wanted to salience it’s Black players. Rihanna don’t GAF either way.
This is Free promo for her next venture.
PS: Who gives a f*ck about a peasants opinion when a B*tch is a Millionaire.
Why the anger babe? Get some sleep boo 😴
Anger? There is no reason for me to be angry.
Stephen is a NOBODY.
Remove him for TV and no one would care.
True. I have no idea who he is and didn’t care to watch the clip.
Exactly!
On another note…he should be more concerned with that Stevie Wonder hairline instead of Rihanna.
If he’d have been nicer, maybe she would have bought him a hair piece.
Institution*
Beyonce have less flavor than egg fry rice 💯
He forgot Beyonce has had many miscarriages on stage
She definitely has not. What evil you spew.
It’s the Pot calling the kettle blck for me chile
Beyonce has had many miscarriages
Beyoncé can perform. Rihanna has better music. Stephen is an ahole. I didn’t see the need to crap on Rihanna. Never heard a white person say Taylor Swift ain’t Celine or Reba. But a black person will always reach out of nowhere to crap on their own. Meanwhile Rihanna and Beyoncé are whole billionaires and all that big lip fool will ever be able to do is talk crap about ppl doing bigger and better than him.
This!
It’s NOT even constructive criticism. It’s him elevating one woman over the other. How about someone compare his ugly asss to a WM in terms of pay rate.
Guarantee the WM are doing less but getting paid more while he’s up there smiling.
Not one lie was told. Those billions of $$$ that the Nhevi loves to brag about will never make her a great performer or highly respected musical ARTIST. Stick to lipstick and lingerie. Leave the stage to the big dawgs🐩
Paid to say it!
Stop apologizing for your opinion