Rihanna in India: The Pop Star’s First Full Concert in 8 Years

Introduction

Rihanna, the global pop icon and Fenty mogul, recently performed her first full concert in almost eight years at a private pre-wedding party for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, the son and daughter of two of India’s richest families. The singer dazzled the audience with her hits, such as “Work”, “Diamonds”, “We Found Love”, and “Umbrella”, while wearing a stunning green dress and bare feet. Her performance was part of a lavish three-day celebration that welcomed guests like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton, and Bollywood stars.

Who are Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant?

Anant Ambani is the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, India’s highest-valued company and a conglomerate with interests in energy, telecom, retail, and media. Mukesh Ambani is also the 10th richest person in the world, with a net worth of $84.5 billion as of March 2024. Radhika Merchant is the daughter of Viren Merchant, the CEO of Encore Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company, and Shaila Merchant, an entrepreneur. The couple met while studying at Brown University in the US and got engaged in 2023. Their official wedding date is July 12, 2024, in Mumbai.

Instagram of Rihanna

Why did Rihanna perform in India?

Rihanna was reportedly paid $5 million to perform at the pre-wedding bash of Anant and Radhika, which took place at the Jamnagar airport in Gujarat, India, on March 1, 2024. The Ambani family is known for throwing extravagant parties for their children’s weddings, and they have previously hired Beyoncé, Coldplay, and The Chainsmokers to perform at their events.

Rihanna, who has not released a new album since 2016’s Anti, has been focusing on her fashion and beauty empire, Fenty, which includes cosmetics, skincare, lingerie, and clothing lines. She has also been busy with her personal life, as she is expecting her second child with her boyfriend, rapper A$AP Rocky. Her concert in India was a rare and special treat for her fans, who have been eagerly waiting for her to return to the music scene.

How did Rihanna and the guests enjoy the party?

Rihanna seemed to have a great time at the party, as she thanked the hosts and congratulated the couple on their union. She also posed for pictures with some of the guests, including Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who shared a selfie with her on his Instagram account. The guests were also impressed by her performance, as they cheered and danced along to her songs.

Some of them even captured videos of her singing and posted them on social media, giving the world a glimpse of the exclusive event. She left India shortly after her show, as she had to fly to Milan for a Fenty event. She revealed that the only reason she left so soon was because of her pregnancy, as she wanted to take care of herself and her baby.

What is the impact of Rihanna’s visit to India?

Rihanna’s visit to India has generated a lot of buzz and excitement among her fans and the media, as it was her first time performing in the country. Her concert also showcased her global appeal and influence, as she was able to attract some of the most powerful and influential people in the world to attend her show. Her visit also highlighted the growing cultural and economic ties between India and the US, as well as the rising prominence of India as a destination for international celebrities and events. Her visit to India was a historic and memorable moment for both her and the country, and it will surely be remembered for years to come.

Public Reaction of Rihanna in India

Rihanna, the pop superstar and global icon, recently visited India to perform at a private concert for the pre-wedding festivities of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, the son of India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani. The singer reportedly charged a whopping ₹52-74 crore for her performance, which included some of her hit songs like Diamonds, We Found Love, and All Of The Lights.

The news of Rihanna’s arrival and performance in India sparked a lot of reactions on social media, ranging from awe and admiration to envy and criticism. Some fans were ecstatic to see their idol in their country, while others expressed their disappointment at not being able to attend the exclusive event. Some netizens also joked about her massive luggage and how she could settle in India for years with it.

However, she also faced some backlash from the Indian government and its supporters, after she tweeted in support of the farmers’ protest that has been going on for months in the country. She shared a news article about the internet blockade at the protest sites and asked, “Why aren’t we talking about this?!” Her tweet drew global attention to the cause of the protesting farmers, who are opposing new laws that they say will harm their livelihoods and benefit big corporations.

The Indian government responded by issuing a statement that criticised “foreign individuals” and celebrities for their “neither accurate nor responsible” comments, and urged them not to interfere in India’s internal affairs. Several ministers, Bollywood stars, cricketers, and other celebrities also tweeted against “propaganda” that threatened India’s unity, using hashtags like #IndiaAgainstPropaganda and #IndiaTogether. Some pro-government media outlets and trolls also attacked Rihanna personally, calling her names and even bringing up her past abuse by her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

Rihanna’s tweet also received support from other international celebrities and activists, such as teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, US vice president’s niece Meena Harris, former adult star Mia Khalifa, and comedian Trevor Noah. They praised her for using her platform to raise awareness about the farmers’ plight and expressed solidarity with them. Many Indian citizens, especially the youth, also appreciated her tweet and thanked her for speaking up for the farmers.

Rihanna’s tweet has sparked a debate on the role of celebrities in social and political issues, and the freedom of expression and dissent in a democracy. It has also highlighted the polarisation and division that exists in India over the farmers’ protest and the government’s handling of it. Her tweet has shown that she is not just a pop star, but also a global citizen who cares about human rights and justice. Whether one agrees or disagrees with her, one cannot deny that she has made an impact on India’s public discourse.

Sweet at Jamnagar Airport towards Paparazzi and Police officials

What caught everyone’s attention was not just Rihanna’s electrifying show, but also her sweet and humble gestures at the Jamnagar airport, where she was spotted before departing the country. Rihanna, who is known for her fierce and bold personality, showed her softer and kinder side as she interacted with the security personnel and the paparazzi at the airport.

In a viral video, Rihanna can be seen hugging a lady constable who gifted her a painting. The singer accepted the gift with a smile and held the constable’s hand as they posed for pictures. She also thanked the constable and said, “I love you”. The constable was visibly overwhelmed by Rihanna’s gesture and expressed her gratitude.

Rihanna also obliged the requests of the photographers and fans who wanted to click selfies with her. She smiled and waved at them and even made a heart sign with her hands. She was dressed elegantly in a baby pink gown with a thigh-high slit and a light blue scarf. She accessorized her look with diamond earrings and a necklace. She also wore a mask as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rihanna’s sweet gesture at the airport won the hearts of many netizens, who praised her for being down-to-earth and respectful. Some even urged the Bollywood celebrities to learn from her and be more humble and friendly with their fans and the media. She proved that she is not only a queen of music, but also a queen of hearts.

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