Jania Ashlynn
Though America tuned into the Super Bowl last night to watch Kansas City and Philly battle it out for the coveted trophy and its bragging rights, it seems as if another major player is capturing the eyes and signs of game viewers.
Videos by Rare
During Rihanna’s incredible performance, she had an interpreter on the big screen to bring sparkling entertainment to the Super Bowl’s deaf viewers. Justina Miles, 20, earned her fair share of fans from both the Chiefs and the Eagles as comments flooded the social media space praising the interpreter’s performance.
New Fandom
“Absolutely popped off,” one user commented on a viral Tiktok video, commending Miles’ performance. Some viewers are even requesting that she be granted her own halftime show. Commentators are saying that her swift and sly movements truly brought life and energy to the spectacle.
Deaf interpreters are a recent addition to the entertainment space, providing an invaluable service to the deaf community at large concerts and performances. The interpreters use a combination of sign language and body language to provide a representation of the performance, allowing deaf viewers to follow along, understand, and enjoy.
Crossing Barriers
Enjoying watching the woman doing the sign language for Rihanna at the #SuperBowl half time show having the time of her life. Her name is Justina Miles 🙌🏻pic.twitter.com/pO32nMECFv
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) February 13, 2023
In addition to being incredibly pivotal to representation and inclusion, the interpreters are often exceedingly entertaining, as Justina Miles demonstrated during the Super Bowl halftime show. As deaf interpreters continue to make appearances at larger and larger events, the deaf community is becoming more included in the entertainment world.
Justina is the first female interpreter to sign a contract with the Super Bowl’s halftime show. She is a native of Philadelphia and a graduate of the acclaimed HBCU, Bowie State University.
Social media seems quite smitten with her and from the looks of it, they hope to see more of her in the future. This regular occurrence will hopefully become a staple of entertainment, providing enjoyment and access to a wide demographic viewer.
