Rihanna, the most endearingly enigmatic person in the world, is the cover girl for the latest issue of Vogue. In her interview with the magazine, she talks about her business ventures with Fenty makeup and a recently announced lingerie line. She also talks about her coming role in the movie Ocean’s 8, the success of her last album Anti, and her plans for recording a new album. From Vogue:
With her next record—her ninth—Rihanna is moving the needle on her creative output all over again: She plans to make a reggae album. Though it’s too soon to name a full list of collaborators, one early influence may be Supa Dups, the Jamaican-born record producer who has worked with such dancehall greats as Beenie Man, Sean Paul, and Elephant Man.
Though Vogue suggests the album will be reggae-influenced, it also notes that the guests on the album are dancehall artists. It’s an obviously strong fit considering her previous hits like “Work” and “Watch n’ Learn.” But the most revealing bit comes when she’s asked about her relationship with Drake, which doesn’t seem to really exist anymore:
After taking out a billboard in Los Angeles a couple of days earlier congratulating Rihanna, Drake presented her with the award while professing his undying love for her on live TV. Suddenly what should have been her big moment became all about him. Rihanna winces slightly at the mention of the rapper’s name before her eyes glaze over with cool indifference. “The VMAs is such a fan-focused awards show, so having that energy around me, and knowing the people who had received the award in the past, made it feel like a big deal,” she says. “Waiting through that speech was probably the most uncomfortable part. I don’t like too many compliments; I don’t like to be put on blast.” When I ask about the current state of their friendship, her attitude is sanguine. “We don’t have a friendship now, but we’re not enemies either. It is what it is.”
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It’s surprising only in how candid the moment was in an interview that otherwise focused on Rihanna’s empire and the anticipation around new music. Rihanna is never one to shy away from expressing her true feelings and it appears from her reaction that the VMA moment wasn’t just awkward, but also legitimately bothered her. More than anything, it feels like Rihanna has simply moved on from whatever their association once was. This is probably bad news for Drake.
