Rihanna's 2023 Super Bowl performance is something to remember, mainly because of her pregnancy announcement. However, music lovers gave a big round of applause to ASL interpreter, Justina Miles, for her performance during the halftime show.
Miles is the first deaf woman to speak at the Super Bowl halftime performance, making sure that everyone had a good time. She was seen singing to Rihanna's music performance while simultaneously signing with her. Along with the lyrics, she was seen moving her body to the rhythm.
Miles' performance was so sensational that it went viral overnight, with media outlets describing her work as "fierce." At the end of the day, she's received praise for not only making history in the Super Bowl, but also for capturing the audience's attention with her energetic personality.
Miles has performed in numerous ASL performances in various capacities, according to her profile in the National Association of the Deaf. Not only that, she also won a silver medal at the 2021/22 Deaflympics in Brazil.
Miles did not only sing for Rihanna during the Super Bowl that day, but also performed during the pre-show, making her debut during Sheryl Lee Ralph's rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Rihanna and Mile's Super Bowl performance just demonstrated how beautiful sign language is and how there is always room for inclusion and representation in future performances. I wish that these performances would continue to include interpreters in live performances, since what happened last night isn't a one-time event.