Rihanna—and Baby Rocki!—Are W’s Pop Issue Cover Girls

More than twenty years in the past, Rihanna kicked down the doorways of the music business together with her single “Pon de Replay,” which grew to become a success when she was simply 17. Since then, she has grown to be some of the recognizable—and beloved—musicians of all time. She has gained 9 Grammy Awards and is the youngest-ever solo performer with 14 No. 1 singles; however that’s only the start. With her multifaceted profession, she has redefined what a strong-willed, forward-thinking artist could be.

In 2017, the Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty—as she is thought in her native Barbados, the place she has the designation of National Hero—set a brand new business commonplace with Fenty Beauty, a variety of cosmetics that catered to greater than 40 shades of pores and skin tone. The following 12 months, she launched Savage x Fenty, a lingerie line with choices in sizes XS to 4XL. She has had quite a few collaborations with labels as diverse as Puma and Chopard, and her Fenty label, created in partnership with LVMH, merged excessive vogue with avenue model. The Savage x Fenty runway exhibits, typically held in stadium-size areas with public entry, ushered in a brand new class of various fashions and an aesthetic that promoted inclusivity lengthy earlier than it was a buzzword.

Rihanna additionally solidified a long-standing friendship that was a relationship together with her now companion, the rapper (and magnificence icon) A$AP Rocky. In 2022, she gave start to their first little one, Rza, having publicly acknowledged her want to be a mom for a number of years. Riot, their second son, arrived in 2023, adopted by a daughter, Rocki, in 2025. Even her most non-public moments led to a zeitgeist shift: During her pregnancies, Rihanna upended the expectations round maternity put on, accenting her spherical stomach in edgy designs. She wore a skintight crimson Loewe catsuit throughout the 2023 Super Bowl, the place she revealed her second being pregnant to greater than 121 million viewers whereas acting on a suspended platform. She’s impressed an entire era of expectant girls, who may need in any other case felt pressured to shroud their rising our bodies, to be free.

There isn’t any explicit secret to how Rihanna has completed all this: She has smashed glass ceilings and blasted her method into the popular culture stratosphere by being herself. She’ll, say, ask Mariah Carey to autograph her chest after seeing her in live performance, or DM her favourite Real Housewives. It may look like a no brainer now, however in her early days, when celebrities relied on synthetic, rigorously curated pictures, her openness felt revolutionary. To at the present time, Rihanna appears at all times desperate to take probabilities and make a press release. The story you see right here, as an illustration, a vogue fantasy photographed by Tim Walker, marks Rocki’s first public look—wearing a Dior Haute Couture diaper and headpiece that the designer Jonathan Anderson created only for her.

The ultrachic child outfit is a tiny instance of the inspiring partnerships which have made Rihanna such a beloved cultural determine. With that in thoughts, we requested a few of her mates, collaborators, and fellow legends: What does it truly seem like, up shut, to be Rihanna? The image that emerges is that of a singular artist, a mogul, and a mom who’s unflinchingly resilient and at all times trying to lead reasonably than observe.

You and Rihanna have recognized one another for a very long time, and have been collectively for a number of years. How has she modified?

A$AP Rocky, musician, actor, and companion to Rihanna: She has modified lots as a result of she grew to become a mom in that point span, and that actually adjustments you. But this lady has at all times been magic. Philosophically, the best way she operates is on one other degree. She is probably the most charming and real individual on Earth. Her power is unmatched—one among a sort. I simply adore her.

What’s one thing you get pleasure from doing collectively?

A$AP Rocky: We have so lots of the identical pursuits. We have been hooked on watching documentaries, just like the Bob Marley one. Watching movies collectively is so enjoyable. We should’ve watched El Cantante 15 instances.

Can you summarize Rihanna in a single sentence?

Pharrell Williams, musician and designer: She’s a drive.

How has Rihanna modified the music business?

Mary J. Blige, musician: Rihanna utterly raised the bar and elevated the sport. She is a vogue icon. She was dropping smashes back-to-back and bringing extra consciousness to dancehall blended with R&B.

When did you first meet Rihanna?

Mariah Carey, musician: I used to be launched to Rihanna when she was about 17 years outdated, by our mutual good friend Jay-Z. She was simply getting began, and I had a sense she was going to be a serious star. She’s an actual lady’s lady.

At your 2024 live performance, Rihanna requested you to signal her chest. What’s it like having her at your exhibits?

Carey: She brings such nice power! The chest-signing second was a li’l out of the bizarre, however I assumed it was hilarious!

You cowrote and have been featured on the track “Consideration,” which was on Rihanna’s final album, Anti, in 2016. What’s it like working together with her?

SZA, musician: She is aware of precisely what she needs. Her style degree is tremendous distinctive. The second she heard “Consideration,” she didn’t hesitate. She mentioned, “This one!” It was the good factor I had made on the time. I couldn’t imagine she thought it was cool too. Very fever dream–coded!

What’s a standout reminiscence you will have of her?

SZA: We have been about to carry out on the Brit Awards in 2016. I had no expertise and positively didn’t know the place the hell I used to be or what this meant. It was prompt that I principally put on a curtain and disappear, and once I instructed her, she instantly mentioned, “Hell, no! We need you to look hot!” She made certain I obtained to select no matter I needed and regarded cute. That’s how I ended up in booty shorts and fishnets for my first tv efficiency.

Rihanna was your costar within the 2013 movie This Is the End. What’s your favourite reminiscence of her?

Jonah Hill, actor: After we shot This Is the End, I bumped into her at a bar, and it was my birthday. She had a joint and was beneficiant sufficient to share with my mates, and one among my mates obtained so stoned that she pooped her pants. Rihanna has that “make your friends shit their pants” weed.

When did you first meet Rihanna?

Paloma Elsesser, mannequin: At the primary Fenty Beauty shoot in 2017. I used to be nervous however so excited as a result of I’m a real Rihanna stan. She expressed her gratitude for my being there and individually got here as much as each lady, providing honest compliments. It was so insanely cool coming from the baddest bitch alive! Rihanna is highly effective and comes on her time. Once she’s there, she is a commanding drive—at all times delivering and bringing a potent and current power.

What are three classes you’ve discovered from Rihanna which have helped your profession?

Elsesser: Never deviate out of your imaginative and prescient, carry your mates with you, and by no means give a fuck.

What is a standout reminiscence you will have of Rihanna?

Elsesser: Her scent. <3

How did you meet Rihanna? What was your first impression of her?

Sarah Paulson, actor: It was on the set of Ocean’s 8 [in which Rihanna played Nine Ball, a computer hacker], and I keep in mind pondering she was the one most electrifying creature I’d ever laid eyes on. She appeared reserved, and that stunned me. She hadn’t performed a ton of appearing at this level, so I used to be struck by how a lot listening and watching she was doing. She was taking all of it in, like a smart individual.

What is a standout reminiscence you will have of Rihanna?

Paulson: My companion, Holland Taylor, visited me on set once we have been taking pictures the heist scene on the Met. Rihanna was on this stunning crimson costume, and when Holland noticed her she set free a yelp, like, “Holy God.” Rihanna mentioned to her, “You know what? You’re the MVP.” Holland went, “Why?” And she mentioned, “Because you’ve got to put up with her,” and he or she pointed to me. Holland to at the present time will say to me, “Remember—even Rihanna knew what I have to deal with with your ass.” And I can’t argue with it. It was probably the most right evaluation. There was part of Rihanna that I knew loved how loopy I used to be—we laughed lots. I used to be at all times freestyling, making an attempt to provide you with songs that I assumed could possibly be her subsequent No. 1. She would take a look at me like, “You can’t sing. Your lyrics aren’t bad, but what you’re doing vocally is upsetting.”

What was it like working with Rihanna in your 2019 movie, Guava Island?

Donald Glover, musician and actor: She got here in very relaxed and malleable. She’d learn and memorized every thing already, however requested a whole lot of questions on what her character was searching for. It was cool to see her dive into it with no actual concern of vulnerability. She simply got here in able to play, which was actually refreshing.

What’s a standout reminiscence you will have of her?

Glover: When she got here to the home in Cuba earlier than filming to only chat and meet my son. She bent right down to his degree and mentioned, “How are you, little man?” And my son mentioned nothing however then put his entire fist in his mouth. He’d by no means performed that earlier than, nor has he after. I laughed for the remainder of the day. I believe her aura was simply an excessive amount of for him.

What was it like assembly Rihanna in 2024 after years of citing her as an inspiration?

Ayra Starr, musician: It was some of the wonderful emotions, like two sisters, greatest mates reuniting after being aside for a very long time. That’s my matriarch! Don’t play.

What is a vital reminiscence you will have of Rihanna?

Starr: Sitting together with her whereas we watched my music movies. The incontrovertible fact that she was mentioning her favourite components felt so unreal. It truthfully felt like a dream watching somebody I’ve regarded as much as, listened to, and admired my entire life really see me and recognize my music. At the time, I used to be battling my self-image and confidence, in order that second meant every thing. It felt like God had despatched her to me.

You’ve made hats for Rihanna for greater than a decade. What’s it like working together with her?

Stephen Jones, milliner: The first one I made for her was in 2009: just a little prime hat she wore to a Dior Haute Couture present. She’s actually into hats, she loves dressing up, and he or she doesn’t see it as a problem. She’s an energetic participant within the artistic course of.

What’s a standout reminiscence you will have of Rihanna?

Jones: When I used to be making her a hat [that resembled a pope’s mitre] for the 2018 Met Gala. We went into her rest room with just a few completely different hats to attempt on. I mentioned, “How do you want to look?” She replied, “Funny enough, nobody has asked me that. I want to look pretty.” I mentioned, “The hat is quite heavy with all the embroidery,” and he or she mentioned, “Have you seen the shoes? The hat is not the problem.”

What was it like working together with her on this W shoot?

Jones: She loves taking part in. After the newest Dior Haute Couture present, she wore one of many headpieces out for a celebration. She is as dedicated to vogue as vogue is dedicated to her.

What’s a standout reminiscence you will have of Rihanna?

Jonathan Anderson, artistic director of Dior: During the Super Bowl, in a rest room. I’ve by no means met somebody so emotionally open, and who makes you are feeling comfortable and is open to collaborating on any degree. I believe every thing that she does comes from a state of kindness—it’s very uncommon in somebody.

How is working together with her completely different from working with different celeb Dior ambassadors?

Anderson: She is aware of precisely who she is and what works on her. She is aware of how you can interpret your artistic imaginative and prescient and make it her personal.

For this W shoot, there have been some particular couture gadgets, like child Rocki’s diaper and headpiece. How did these come about?

Anderson: The high fashion diaper is certainly a primary for Dior. When Rihanna asks for one thing, she is already forward of what’s taking place. She is pondering outdoors the field. When she has an thought, I’m at all times trusting within the course of. I belief her implicitly on something she feels that’s proper to do.

Hair by Mustafa Yanaz at Art + Commerce; make-up by Daniel Sällström at MA+ Group; manicure by Jenny Longworth at Streeters. Featuring Fenty Beauty, Fenty Hair, and Fenty Skin. Set design by Miguel Bento. Movement course by Pat Boguslawski.

Produced by 138 Productions; Executive Producer: Simon Malivindi; Producer: Ashleigh Hayward; Lighting Director: Paul Burns; Photo Assistants: Antonio Perricone, Daniel Serrato; Digital Technician: Tony Ivanov; Gaffer: Quentin Play; Sparks: Jérôme Fabre, Teddy Moireau; Postproduction: Retouch and Print; PRINTING: GRAEME BULCRAIG AT RETOUCH AND PRINT; Production Coordinator: Géraldine Morat; Location Manager: Geoffroy Hassoun; Location Manager Assistant: Michael Chandlee; Production Assistants: Dejan Trajkov, Merlin Cigare, Maïa Constantin, Adrian Dohna, Flora Blin, Pierre Ménard, Antoine Chatenet; first Fashion Assistant: Amir Dayi; Fashion Assistants: Gabriel Lahanque, Alexis Landolfi; Tailor: Chantal Tin; Hair Assistants: Sofien Semmache, Sarah Itoua; Makeup Assistant: Martina Derosa; Special Thanks: DJ Andy and Liwan.