Rihanna covers the November issue of Vogue. The editorial is pretty good, and the interview is even better. Allegedly, Rihanna is mostly promoting her Fenty fashion line and Fenty Beauty, her mega-successful makeup line. But within the cover story, we also learn that her ninth album is close to being completed and that she’s got a lot of other stuff on her plate. She also talks in depth about American politics, how Donald Trump is THE WORST and a lot more. You can read the full piece here. Some highlights:
When the new album will come out: “No, oh my God, they’re gonna kill you for that! And they’re going to kill me more! I’m talking the Navy—my scary fans. But they’ve earned it. They got me here.”
She turned down the Super Bowl halftime show in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick: “Absolutely. I couldn’t dare do that. For what? Who gains from that? Not my people. I just couldn’t be a sellout. I couldn’t be an enabler. There’s things within that organization that I do not agree with at all, and I was not about to go and be of service to them in any way.”
On gun control in America: “It is devastating. People are being murdered by war weapons that they legally purchase. This is just not normal. That should never, ever be normal. And the fact that it’s classified as something different because of the color of their skin? It’s a slap in the face. It’s completely racist. Put an Arab man with that same weapon in that same Walmart and there is no way that Trump would sit there and address it publicly as a mental health problem. The most mentally ill human being in America right now seems to be the president.”
On Ken Cuccinnelli saying the Statue of Liberty was for Europeans only: “The fact that his defense was talking about Europeans coming into America? I mean, not only were you immigrants, you were the worst kind. You came in and murdered the real Americans.”
Whether she feels outside the fray because she lives in London: “I don’t feel outside the fray. When I see something happen to any woman, a woman of any minority, kids, black men being murdered in the streets—I can’t remove myself from that.”
Her boyfriend Hassan Jameel. “Yeah, I’m dating. I’m actually in an exclusive relationship for quite some time, and it’s going really well, so I’m happy.” (Yes, she wants kids. “Without a doubt.”)
Growing up: “I’m definitely feeling a shift. I’m growing up. There’s things that I’m paying attention to that I’ve never paid attention to.” Like what? “Like supplements. And working out. And hearing about my bones.”
LOL, the day when you start to browse the vitamin and supplements aisle is the day that you acknowledge that your ass is getting old. I get it, because I’ve been there for years! As for what Rihanna says about everything else, really… she’s awesome. I think she’s actually throwing some shade on Jay-Z for working with the NFL too. I mean, so many people have called out Jay-Z for selling out, but it cuts especially deep when it’s Rihanna, right? Anyway… it would not surprise me at all if, three months from now, a heavily pregnant Rihanna dropped two new albums, a huge Fenty line and announced that she’s been married to Hassan for two years. It would not shock me in the least.
Here’s Rihanna’s “Go Ask Anna” video:
Photos courtesy of Vogue.
She is really fun and bright. On a shallow note if I had her face for a day I would just go to the Ritz bar and accept a million free drinks.
I bet this interview was done before the Jay Z announcement – which is good because we got her unfiltered opinion. She may have said the same but not as forceful if Jay was already out there
I think something is up she has unfollowed tidal and has distanced herself from the roc management .
Mentor be damned, Rih-Rih has ALWAYS marched to the beat of her own drum. She has no hair on her tongue and she will call anyone out on their ish. The gyal told ya’ll a while ago she was unapologetic. I’m sure she’s grateful for the opportunity Jay and Rockafella gave her at the time, but she’s grown an empire of her own to rival that of BOTH B & J and has never given zero f’s about what anyone thought of her. Especially now that she’s in control of her own destiny. And I love her for it!
and I’m wondering if JLo and/or Shakira will say something since they’re performing at the next SB.
I am mad at JLo and Shakira for caving. I get that it’s a coup for Hispanic women to headline the Super Bowl, but they are sell outs in my mind unless they address the racism in the NFL in their show. As a Mexican American with Black family members, it makes me angry. One step forward and two steps back. JLo became popular because Black artists and musicians hired and worked with her early in her career. She better show and prove at that show. Black and Brown people get the same racism, and JLo is about her money instead of the deaths of regular Black and Brown people who endure racism in the world, particularly in the U.S.
Rihanna is a shero.
Beautiful and smart woman!
I love her so much!
She’s so right, the US President is bat shit crazy. On his good days!
On another note, she looks absolutely gorgeous in the picture with the black dress.
+1. Trump’s stans aren’t going to be happy about what she had to say about him either (and I wouldn’t be surprised if a certain someone who loves TrumpYe, is misogynistic and racist herself, and can’t keep Rihanna’s name out her mouth will have something to say about it).is
What she said here is spot on too, about gun control and other problems in America too: “And the fact that it’s classified as something different because of the color of their skin? It’s a slap in the face. It’s completely racist. Put an Arab man with that same weapon in that same Walmart and there is no way that Trump would sit there and address it publicly as a mental health problem.”
Yasss! Also I’m so happy she’s off the drake merry go round. He’s such a heaux.
omg she looks so different without makeup!
SHE is the only person I stan!
Right now? Yup!
She’s amazing.
She was drinking champagne during the interview so maybe she’s not pregnant?
She’s awesome!
Another reason why Rhianna is GOAT. She has come along way from the CBrown days. She has healed and grown mentally and in business. Everything she said was spot on. Especially the Superbowl. When I heard about Jay Z’s entertainment and social-awareness partnership it soo bullshit. If Jay Z was truly concerned about the social awareness, he should have built in his a social campaign for Kaepernick… who lost his career by standing up for whats right. Jay Z hasnt cared or done anything for his community . His mom is a lesbian and you never hear about gay rights support from him either. F-ck Him and his wife.
Co-sign on everything you wrote!
I detect no lies.
Is anything known about the boyfriend? I read a blind item recently that seemed to indicate that she was dressing more modestly to accommodate him. The consensus was that it was about RiRi. I see red flags when there’s a SO dictating how a woman should dress and act and I hope the item was wrong.
She is direct, wise, loyal, passionate, and beautiful – as always. There is so much peace and confidence in her words, I just love this lady.
I’m impressed she would turn down the Superbowl in support of Kaepernick. I only wish more celebrities would show that kind of solidarity.
It really baffles me how even Anna Wintour cannot pronounce ‘Versace’ the right way..