Rihanna under fire over ‘disrespectful’ magazine cover sparking outrage amongst fans
Rihanna has ruffled the feathers of some fans with her latest magazine cover shoot.
Earlier this week, Interview Magazine revealed that Rihanna, 36, would be the cover girl for their 2024 Spring edition.
Photographed by Nadia Lee Cohen and styled by the publication’s editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg, the ‘Diamonds’ singer graced the magazine’s cover wearing a white shirt and a religious headpiece.
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In a video, posted alongside the cover image, Rihanna could be seen posing for the camera while covering her left breast.
Subsequent images featuring her wearing a blonde wig and an oversized cardigan were also shared alongside a bleached-brow headshot.
Another picture from the shoot saw the mother-of-two topless while a pen covered her modesty.
Unfortunately, fans have aimed vitriol at the star and have accused her of ‘disrespecting’ Christianity with the images.
Taking to Instagram to air their grievances, one user wrote: “Christianity gets disrespected way too openly.”
A second questioned: “Mocking Christianity as usual!"
“Girl I’m an ATHEIST even I was like ‘oh…'," complained another.
However, many other fans rushed to pledge their support to the ‘Disturbia’ hitmaker, with one commenting: “The comments are hilarious.
“[...]this is slightly resembling a nun outfit and that’s the offending part? Get a grip. Go cry to Madonna like a prayer.”
“To the haters: WOMP WOMP,” typed another. “Ya look good RiRi!!!!”
TYLA has contacted representatives of Rihanna for comment.
Despite some fans believing that Rihanna has ‘mocked’ religion with the new photos, she referenced God in her cover interview, titled ‘Rihanna is Ready to Confess’.
When asked by Ottenberg how many children she plans to have, the star replied: “As many as God wants me to have.”
Interestingly, this is not the first time that Rihanna has channelled Catholicism and religion.
In 2018, she attended the Heavenly Bodies-themed Met Gala in a Maison Margiela gown and accessorised with a bishop’s hat.
A year later, she received backlash from fans after she used a controversial song at her Savage X Fenty lingerie show.
She soundtracked the show using the song 'Doom' by artist Coucou Chloe, which includes a Muslim text known as a Hadith.
After the ‘huge oversight’ was brought to her attention, Rihanna took to social media to issue an apology to the Islamic community.
She wrote: “I would more importantly like to apologize to [the Muslim community] for this honest, yet careless mistake.
“We understand that we have hurt many of our Muslim brothers and sisters, and I’m incredibly disheartened by this.”
She continued to say that she ‘does not play’ with any kind of ‘disrespect toward God or any religion’ and that she will make sure ‘nothing like this ever happens again’.
Topics: Music, Celebrity, Instagram, Social Media
Ella Scott