Chloe Codling
Super Bowl ASL interpreter, Justina Miles went viral on TikTok for her outstanding performance at Rihanna’s halftime show – but why did she skyrocket to popularity?
Justina Miles – a 20-year-old ASL performer and student nurse- went all out in her interpretation of Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance. She signed the rhythm of Rihanna’s music, as well as the lyrics, so viewers at home who have impaired hearing could enjoy Rihanna’s set just as much as anyone else.
The energy she put into her performance was almost – dare I say – as entertaining to watch as Rihanna herself. She also made history as the first black and deaf woman to perform at the Super Bowl – a crucial milestone for this iconic halftime show.
“It’s not every day that BadGalRiri slides into your DMs, never mind with a life-changing work opportunity.”
In an interview with CBS Mornings, Gayle King asked Miles how she seems to be able to hear the beat. Miles responded, saying although she is considered medically deaf by audiologists, she can still hear the beat, which she mimics in her signing. She also expressed how she wanted to do her best for the Deaf community.
“I was thinking, before like getting there, ‘I just hope that I pop off on a big scale, I hope I reach a big scale for the Deaf community,” said Miles, “That’s what I do and how I got in my zone.”
When asked about how she landed the gig, Miles recounts that Rihanna DM’d her, expressing her admiration for her work, recognising her as a fellow ‘Black Queen’. BadGalRiri then went on to extend the opportunity for Miles to sign on her behalf.
Excitedly she said: “It’s not every day that BadGalRiri slides into your DMs, never mind with a life-changing work opportunity.”
“I knew all the songs, I was confident.”
Her performance is even more incredible when you learn she received the setlist only five days before, giving her less than a week to memorise the lyrics, beat and transitions.
“I was nervous. I was like oh my gosh what is she [Rihanna] gonna do like she hasn’t been on stage…” Miles frantically recalls, “so I got them, I knew all the songs, I was confident.”
Miles set straight to rehearsing after studying the setlist, ensuring that she had all of the meanings correct. After this, she explained that everybody practised together, presumably including her sound and technical crew, as well as Rihanna and her dancers onstage behind.
Although she didn’t get the chance to meet and speak to Rihanna personally – as you can imagine everybody was just so busy – she was still honoured just to be in the same vicinity, and to have received such a lovely direct message from RiRi.
JUST THE START
This is just the start of an amazing career for Justina Miles. Although she already carried out high-profile performances before the Super Bowl – such as signing for Sheryl Lee Ralph’s performance of the Black National Anthem – the media attention she is receiving as a result of this performance has undoubtedly boosted her platform.
She was also rightfully crowned ‘Student Nurse of the Week,’ by The Daily Nurse – and quite frankly, she deserves all the praise she gets.
Miles’ success and exposure represent a step in the right direction for accessibility in the music scene.
RIRI’S RETURN TO THE STAGE
Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance made headlines as Riri announced her second pregnancy onstage – stylishly showing her baby bump. The fact she was able to carry out such a vocally and physically challenging performance whilst pregnant is commendable.
“The halftime show surpassed expectations and brought Rihanna’s stage career back with a bang.”
Videos of her so-called ‘Marshmallow’ dancers also circulated on TikTok, with viewers congratulating them on their seamless choreography and the energy they brought to the stage.
One of them in particular drew attention for doing a TikTok dance during a freestyle segment of the SuperBowl performance.
The halftime show surpassed expectations and brought Rihanna’s stage career back with a bang. From the setlist, and choreography to the gravity-defying platforms – in true RiRi fashion – it was nothing short of iconic.
Featured image courtesy of Christopher Alvarenga via Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
chloe_codling
Hey! I'm Chloe, a recent Durham graduate and aspiring culture and lifestyle journalist interested in all things pop culture, the internet, environmental awareness, and Film & TV. Connect with me over on Twitter @chloetypeswords