New Delhi: Global pop star and entrepreneur Rihanna arrived in Mumbai late Thursday evening, setting off a wave of speculation about the purpose of her visit, which has been linked to an event for her cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty.
The singer was spotted leaving the city’s private airport, where paparazzi called out to her as she made her way out. Videos, circulated widely on social media, show her smiling and waving to the photographers. The clips have fuelled a wave of online chatter, with fan accounts tracking her movements and attempting to piece together her itinerary.
Launched by Rihanna in 2017, Fenty Beauty reshaped the cosmetics industry by debuting with 40 foundation shades — setting a new benchmark for inclusivity that competitors were forced to follow. The brand quickly became a global success, with its emphasis on diversity and representation widely seen as shifting industry standards around shade ranges and product development. According to Forbes, Rihanna’s 50 per cent stake in the brand is estimated to account for about $1.4 billion of her roughly $1.7 billion net worth.
Rihanna continues to focus on her business ventures, with Fenty Beauty forming a significant part of her public presence alongside music. The brand has expanded into multiple international markets over the years, with product launches and promotional events often tied to high-profile appearances by the singer.
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Past buzz
Rihanna last visited India in March 2024, when she performed at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The multi-day event drew global attention for its scale, with several international celebrities in attendance, and marked one of Rihanna’s rare live performances in recent years.
Her association with India has also extended beyond entertainment. In February 2021, she weighed in on the farmers’ protests, sharing a news report on internet shutdowns and writing, “Why aren’t we talking about this?!”, on X. The post drew both criticism from sections of Indian public figures and support from activists and international commentators, and was amplified by some Indian artists, including Diljit Dosanjh, who welcomed her attention to the issue.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)