Rihanna and Rocky: Anniversaries and Film Festivals

I know she doesn’t do it on purpose but it really is thoughtful how Rihanna maintains her schedule while she’s pregnant and consistently steps out every few days or so with an unintended but appreciated update. 

She and Rocky were running errands in LA yesterday and had RZA with them at one point. As of Tuesday, then, their third child has not arrived. The third child, though, will be a Virgo, just like her first album, released 20 years ago last Friday on August 29. Rihanna celebrated the milestone on her socials… 

…and is also releasing anniversary merch. I’m old enough to remember that there was a time when a woman citing her own achievements - #1 this and #1 that - was looked down upon, like it was bad form. I’m sure there are still some corners of the world and the internet who feel a way about this but not here. We should all start getting more comfortable with taking credit for what we accomplish, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be hit singles and breaking records. I had a great interview yesterday with two filmmakers who made an excellent short film. Then I started thinking about sharing it on socials once it airs but then I second-guessed whether or not it would be a good idea and all that doubt kinda spoiled the memory of the interview itself. Why do we do this to ourselves? Anyway, Rihanna obviously doesn’t have this problem. 

As we’ve seen, Rihanna has not been joining Rocky on promotion for Highest 2 Lowest and he actually has another supporting role in a film that’s coming out in October and will be screened at TIFF this weekend. Mary Bronstein’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You stars Rose Byrne and premiered at Sundance in January to excellent reviews. She won the Silver Bear in Berlin for Best Leading Performance. Christian Slater and Conan O’Brien are also in the movie which should start picking up some buzz this month because Rose Byrne’s performance is apparently so devastating and raw, she’s on several prediction lists for an Oscar nomination. Not sure if Rocky will be coming to Toronto to support it with how close Rihanna seems to be but it’s another good look for his acting career that he’s involved in such a range of projects, from Spike Lee joints to character studies about women on the verge. Something to keep an eye on going forward and what kinds of parts he’ll be offered after these two films.