Rihanna: I don't want to be a role model

Rihanna looks, well, glamorous, in her new Glamour cover girl shoot. (Unlike her much-skimpier outfit for a Carnival float in Barbados today!)

CAPTIONBy Ellen von Unwerth
The pop star says she likes to get attention with her sense of style. "Getting dressed, I want to pick the most bizarre pair of shorts so I can figure out how to make it look right, or work an outfit that will make people go, "What the hell is she wearing?"

On hating drama…and perfection: "I hate drama. But at the same time, nothing bothers me more than when life's perfect. And that's the sick part. I just love a challenge, whether it's a relationship, my career, clothing..."

On dealing with how messy life can get: "I think honesty is the ultimate liberation in life. People want to shy away from the truth and keep sweeping it under the rug. But after a while, you pick up the rug and there's just way too much dirt, so you might as well just be up front about it."

CAPTIONBy Ellen von Unwerth
On being a role model for young girls: "I want to set the right example and, at the same time, live my life….I feel like pop stars can't be rock stars anymore because they have to be role models, and it takes the fun out of it for us, because we just want to have fun with art."

On liking dominant guys in the bedroom: "I play a very dominant role in my life, in every aspect of it. And I like to feel like a lady still, at some point. I feel like that's the time when a guy really gets to be a man, and I get to be a woman. And if I'm being a man in the bedroom too, there's nothing really in it for me."

On her friendship with Katy Perry: "All my friends are guys, to be completely honest. But when I met her, it was such a breath of fresh air. I just couldn't believe this chick had no edit button….Katy and Lady Gaga came out of the gate exactly the way they think, the way they wanna dress, the way they wanna speak."

Source is http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/08/rihanna-i-dont-want-to-be-a-role-model/1

Rihanna starts work on new album

Rihanna has already started work on her next album.

The 'Umbrella' singer is already "closing up" recording on her sixth album according to Verse Simmonds, part of production duo The Jugganauts, who worked on her track 'Man Down', from her last alum 'Loud'.

He told MTV: "From what I understand, she is closing the album up now, and we did two records for her that she really, really loved and I'm really excited about them as well. They are records that we wrote and produced as the Jugganauts."

He added the track will have a different sound to 'Man Down', and that they are always trying to better themselves creatively.

Verse said: "It'll definitely not sound the same, because we always try, constantly - as producers, as artists - we try to always come with something different, a whole new sound."

It was rumoured earlier this year Rihanna was to work with Beyonce Knowles on a track, which could be included on her next album.

A source said: "Rihanna has wanted to work with Beyonce for some time now and, after talking about a duet at this year's Grammys, they have finally managed to set aside some time to record together."

Source is http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/Rihanna-starts-work-on-new-album/articleshow/9454198.cms

Nicki and Ricky for MAC. Rihanna headed to court

Kate Middleton's bridal gown was "a real feat of engineering," designer Sarah Burton says. Burton's comment comes in a film that is part of the Buckingham Palace display of the dress, shoes and earrings that Middleton -- now duchess of Cambridge -- wore when she married Britain's Prince William in April. Burton explains that the gown has a hidden bustle and weighted panels to ensure it "didn't collapse" when the duchess walked the aisle of Westminster Abbey.

Nicki Minaj, left, and Ricky Martin will be the new faces of MAC's 2012 VIVA GLAM campaign, the cosmetics company announced. Proceeds from MAC's VIVA GLAM products benefit the MAC AIDS Fund, which has reportedly raised $224 million to date with help from former celeb spokespeople such as Lady Gaga, Boy George, Elton John and Chloë Sevigny. [StyleList]

French beauty brand Clarins is teaming with Lauren Bush, co-founder of the FEED Projects, on a fundraiser that channels money from your beauty buys into meals for undernourished children around the world. Clarins and FEED collaborated on the “FEED 15″ pouch, a bag of three Clarins products available at Nordstrom for $30. Proceeds from the sale of each bag will provide 15 meals through the United Nations World Food Program. The plan is to sell enough to feed 1 million children in two years. [People]

Twenty-five California designers -- and we mean transplants as well as native Californians -- tell Vogue why they like it here. Reasons include geographic inspirations such as Big Sur, local artisans, Hollywood's costume archives and even the freeways! [Vogue]

Photographer David LaChappelle is suing Rihanna because scenes in her "S&M" video resemble some of his images. A court date has been set for August. [Cut]

Ralph Esmerian, one-time chairman of luxury jeweler Fred Leighton, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for fraud. Esmerian, who counted many celebrities among his clients, pleaded guilty to fraud charges in April. [WWD] (Subscription required)

Michael Kors' new jewelry collection hits stores in August, with gold cuffs, bangles, earrings, neckpieces and more that blend chain details, hardware and leather. The collection includes drop earrings for $65 and multichain necklaces for $350. Prices top out at $500. [Cut].

Pamela Anderson is getting back into the lingerie business after a seven-year hiatus. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Plans are for Alexa Chung to host a new fashion show on the Lifetime channel. Working title: "24-hour Catwalk." [Telegraph]

Source is http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2011/07/fashion-report-nicki-minaj-ricky-martin-mac-rihanna-david-lachappelle-pamela-anderson-kate-middleton.html

Rihanna digs deep to find energy for tour’s last show

If nothing else, we know that Rihanna wasn’t lip-synching. That much became clear five songs into last night’s concert at the TD Garden, when she launched into Prince’s notorious “Darling Nikki.’’ She started to sing but quickly cracked up at her dancers’ writhing; by the time the song ended, she’d only been able to spit out about three lines total. She missed some lines two songs later, during the funk kick of “Let Me.’’

Whether it explains those lapses or not, the fact that it was the final night of Rihanna’s tour was probably responsible for another issue gnawing at her performance: her lack of energy.

It certainly wasn’t a matter of listlessness, as she covered the stage (occasionally navigating a hidden moving sidewalk) like a pro during “Disturbia’’ and “Shut Up And Drive.’’ But it seemed as though she was constantly pushing, unlike the confident power that she brought to the Comcast Center last summer.

Maybe as a result, Rihanna was strongest on the slower numbers.

Her wounded pleading on “Take A Bow’’ closed out the main set, and she began the encore splayed out on a grand piano raised above the stage singing “Love The Way You Lie.’’

And she killed on power ballad par excellence “California King Bed’’ as sparks rained from the ceiling and Boston boy Nuno Bettencourt delivered an appropriately big guitar solo.

But there were other things on her mind, as evidenced by the hard-and-dirty-sex mini-set kicked off by “Nikki.’’ With chains attached to her wrist and ankle as disembodied hands groped her from beneath her riser, “S&M’’ already seemed like a parody of itself even before her dancers began swatting her with pillows and a cushion shaped like a phallus.

While that was cartoon sex, the slow, hard grind of “Skin’’ was far more convincing, up to and including the audience member Rihanna brought on stage to gyrate with.

She was the one who came to the crowd on another Prince song, “Glamorous Life.’’ Banging on timbales, she proved that she was no Sheila E.

For the rest of the show, it seemed she was barely holding on to being Rihanna.

J. Cole had some big shoes to fill - original opener Cee-Lo Green dropped out of the tour earlier - but he was genial and gracious in the role of the soulful, lovelorn rapper.

Source: http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2011/07/25/rihanna_digs_deep_to_find_energy_for_tours_last_show/

Amy Winehouse Remembered By Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, More

'RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace,' Perry writes. 'I am genuinely heartbroken about this,' Rihanna tweets.

As news spread that 27-year-old Amy Winehouse was dead, stars immediately tweeted their shocked reactions and remorse over the lost talent.

Katy Perry, who touches down in Boise, Idaho, this weekend as part of her California Dreams Tour, tweeted her condolences, writing, "RIP Amy Winehouse. May she finally find peace."

Nicki Minaj, who is also on the road as part of Britney Spears' Femme Fatale jaunt, took to Twitter and expressed disbelief at the news of Winehouse's passing. "Please tell me Amy Winehouse didn't die," wrote the Young Money MC, who's set to hit the stage in Florida on Saturday (July 23). "Is this some sick joke?"

"I am genuinely heartbroken about this," wrote Rihanna, who continued to express her shock over multiple tweets. "Dear God have mercy!!! I am SICK about this right now!" In another, she wrote "U made a MAJAH impression on this industry and throughout the world, in such a short space of time...too short!"

Usher reflected on Winehouse, who he had known: "I'm so sad to hear the horrible news of Amy Winehouse's death. I'm so happy I knew you Amy...Rest Well. Gone Too Soon...we'll miss you!!""

Frequent tweeter Kim Kardashian used her 140 characters to send prayers: "I just heard the news that Amy Winehouse passed away. What a true talent. I pray she's in a better place & at peace."

Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest showed Winehouse's impact on the music industry, singling out both Lady Gaga and Adele as those who had been influenced. "Sad to lose Amy Winehouse - incred talent. Both @LadyGaga & @OfficialAdele say Amy paved way for them."

Dr. Drew focused on the singer's well-documented struggles with addiction. "SO sad, another lost to addiction. A reminder this is often a fatal condition. Recovery is possible, but sadly not for Amy Winehouse."

Winehouse's American record label, Universal Republic, said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer. Our prayers go out to Amy's family, friends and fans at this difficult time."

Many More Stars Are Reacting. Check Back To See Who Else Has Weighed In:

Leann Rimes: "RIP Amy Winehouse. So sad to see such a talent gone and her life end in tragedy. This makes me terribly sad."

Khloe Kardashian: "Wow! I just heard about Amy Winehouse passing away! Wow! So sad :( what an amazing talent"

Ashton Kutcher: "Rip amy winehouse"

Big Boi: "Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and now Amy Winehouse. All died aged 27. RIP to you all."

Kelly Osbourne: "i cant even breath right my now im crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. i love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you!"

Rick Ross: "Wanted to collab w/ Amy Winehouse...r.i.p...smoking 1 in your memoryyy!!"

Janelle Monae: "heart is heavy. My heart goes out 2 Amy Winehouse's family, loved ones. Praying for their strength during this time."

Ricky Martin: "I just found out. I feel pain. I feel anger. Rest beautiful girl rest. You are free!"

Cee Lo: "Is it true about amy?"

Victoria Justice: "I'm so sad about the #amywinehouse news I heard this morning. She was 1 of my favorite artists. What a sad story, she was such a talent..."

Randy Jackson: "Wow what a tragic loss today in the music world, Amy Winehouse such a talent. She will be missed"

Kreayshawn: "I said she was a TIMELESS artist and a real artist because of her struggle. I'm so upset I love her! RIP Amy Winehouse"

Source is http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667804/amy-winehouse-remembered-katy-perry-nicki-minaj.jhtml

Rihanna Breaks From Tour For Big Apple Retail Relief

Enjoying a leisurely walk to start her week, Rihanna was spotted out and about in New York City yesterday afternoon (July 18).

The “Russian Roulette” songstress looked well-rested and in good spirits as she strolled through Manhattan with a few friends and family alongside her.

The night before, Rihanna rocked the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in New Jersey’s fun-filled Atlantic City, with Cee Lo Green as a warmup act.

And it sounds like she enjoyed her accommodations after the gig- Rihanna tweeted, “My hotel has ‘RiRi’ stitched into my pillowcases, how f—in Raaaddd is that??!”

Source is http://celebrity-gossip.net/rihanna/rihanna-breaks-tour-big-apple-retail-relief-525623

Rihanna Dethrones Lady Gaga on Facebook

Lady Gaga may be the highest-earning, top-selling and best-known woman in popular music today, but Rihanna has more "Likes" on Facebook.


This week, Rihanna accumulated enough Facebook fans to surpass Gaga and claim the throne as the platform's top ranking female celebrity.

According to their Facebook stats, as of Saturday, Rihanna had 40,699,853 likes, and Lady Gaga had 40,611,908, giving RiRi a slight lead.


Of course, Gaga has her by close to five million fans on Twitter, so Rihanna can't lay claim to being the queen of all social media just yet.


Shakira is the diva with the third most Facebook followers. Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Shakira hold the No. 5, 6, and 8 positions overall.


Three men make the top 10: Eminem (No. 3, 43,367,713 likes), Michael Jackson (No. 7, 38,069,882), and Justin Bieber (No. 10, 33,035,903).


Source is http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2011/07/rihanna-dethrones-lady-gaga-on-facebook/

Rihanna's ex-boyfriend Matt Kemp says they are still friends

Rihanna’s ex-boyfriend, Dodgers player Matt Kemp, says even though dating someone in the public eye brought “a lot of attention” to their relationship, they have remained friends.


The 26-year-old baseball star, who split from the singer last December after an 11-month romance, said Wednesday night at the ESPY Awards in downtown Los Angeles that they are still supportive of each other, reports US Weekly.
"There's no bad blood between us. We've all got busy lives and we're working on our careers and concentrating on our careers. Like I said, I wish her all the best of luck and she wishes me all the best of luck."
It was reported that Kemp and the “Man Down” singer, who is currently on a seven-month world tour to promote her latest album “Loud,” were struggling to find the time to see each other.
Rihanna has admitted they were feeling the pressure of making a long distance romance work.
During an interview with BBC Radio in London, the 23-year-old beauty revealed that finding time to be together was difficult because "we both have very demanding schedules.”
"I'm in love and I'm very happy but we have only been dating for a few months so no wedding for now. We are taking it easy," she said.
While there may never be wedding bells for the two, Kemp said he’s not giving up on love.
"It doesn't matter if they're famous or not, as long as they have a good heart and a good head on her shoulders."


Source is http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90054352?Rihanna's%20ex-boyfriend%20Matt%20Kemp%20says%20they%20are%20still%20friends

Rihanna Tops Lady Gaga As Most Popular Woman On Facebook

Facebook has a new queen: According to famecount.com, a social media statistics service, Rihanna passed Lady Gaga in total fans sometime around 12 P.M. EST on Thursday, July 14th.


With roughly 40,516,728 fans as of this writing, Rihanna's new accolade brings her one placement closer to the Facebook fan champ, hip-hop artist Eminem, whose page has been 'liked' an impressive 43,225,888 times. For some perspective, Rihanna had just over 5,000 Facebook fans one year ago.


She's come this far, will Rihanna make it all the way to the top? Apparently, not without a fight. In response to the news, Lady Gaga fans took to the Twittersphere, demanding that people, "unlike Rihanna on Facebook".


Last week, Rihanna became the 13th person in history to attain 6 million Twitter followers. For comparison, Lady Gaga is approaching 12 million Twitter followers.


Check out Fame Count and All Facebook Stats to stay up to date on the latest fan rankings, and tell us in the comments below whether you think Rihanna can hold off Lady Gaga and achieve ultimate social network stardom.


Source is http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/14/rihanna-tops-lady-gaga-on-facebook_n_898436.html