Rihanna covers the latest issue of W Magazine and she’s not alone. But before we get to the muffin in her arms, let’s talk about this feature because it’s “The Pop Issue” which made me laugh because I can almost hear the clickety clack of her Navy on social being all like… WHAT DO YOU MEAN POP, DROP THE NEW ALBUM, WHERE IS R9?

It says something, though, about Rihanna’s catalogue, her artistic influence throughout her career, that it can be over a decade since her last album – the masterpiece that is Anti – without any diminished relevance as a musician. Because no one has been able to fill in the sound gap at her level, which is why her absence doesn’t feel empty, since she’s the one holding her own spot. This is what makes her so singular and so celebrated.

Now back to the baby, look at baby Rocki making her first official public appearance with her mother on the cover of a fashion magazine wearing … obviously… custom Dior Haute Couture by Jonathan Anderson, the diaper and the headpiece. As Jonathan told W:

“The haute couture diaper is definitely a first for Dior. When Rihanna asks for something, she is already ahead of what is happening. She is thinking outside the box. When she has an idea, I’m always trusting in the process. I trust her implicitly on anything she feels that is right to do.”

Jonathan’s not the only one talking about Rihanna, giving us a glimpse into who she is through his personal experience. This cover story is not an interview with Rihanna but pulled together from several interviews with people who know her. And what emerges is a portrait of a superstar who is fun, always engaged, exceptionally creative, and also kind. That’s how Jonathan describes her, sharing that “everything that she does comes from a state of kindness—it’s very rare in someone”.

And Arya Starr’s anecdote about meeting Rihanna is the same. RiRi was an inspiration to Arya and after they met in 2024, Arya says that Rihanna made sure to let Arya know during their time together that she was a fan too:

“Sitting with [Rihanna] while we watched my music videos. The fact that she was pointing out her favorite parts felt so unreal. It honestly felt like a dream watching someone I’ve looked up to, listened to, and admired my whole life truly see me and appreciate my music. At the time, I was struggling with my self-image and confidence, so that moment meant everything.”

That might be my favourite part of this piece – imagining Rihanna taking the time to sit with a young artist and do a deep dive on their work, the ultimate cheerleader.

But maybe my favourite part of the piece is what Jonah Hill said about her:

“After we shot This Is the End, I ran into her at a bar, and it was my birthday. She had a joint and was generous enough to share with my friends, and one of my friends got so stoned that she pooped her pants. Rihanna has that “make your friends sh-t their pants” weed.”

Or wait, is it what Donald Glover shared as his favourite memory of Rihanna?

“When she came to the house in Cuba before filming to just chat and meet my son. She bent down to his level and said, “How are you, little man?” And my son said nothing but then put his whole fist in his mouth. He’d never done that before, nor has he after. I laughed for the rest of the day. I think her aura was just too much for him.”

There are so many good stories here – from Sarah Paulson to THE Mariah Carey to Mary J Blige and so many more. And it hits different, even though these people are also all celebrities, from the celebrities interviewing other celebrities articles, because there’s a journalist here as a go-between, coaxing all the best stories out of them.

Like this little reveal from A$AP Rocky:

“We have so many of the same interests. We were addicted to watching documentaries, like the Bob Marley one. Watching films together is so fun. We must’ve watched El Cantante 15 times.”

Has Rihanna told JLo that she and Rocky have seen her film with Marc Anthony 15 times? El Cantante was released 20 years ago, in 2006, and was eviscerated by critics. And it put a strain on JLo and Marc’s marriage. Now two decades later, Rocky has revealed that he and RiRi might be its biggest fans. I might need a 20th anniversary re-release of this film with the two of them doing commentary.

Photo credits: Rihanna and Rocki cover W Magazine

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