Rihanna has long been the target of body-shaming internet trolls – but she refuses to let their jibes affect her self-image.
Just a few weeks ago, Rihanna took to Instagram to launch the next stage of her Fenty franchise: a lingerie line.
“Bet ya didn’t know it’s#nationallingerieday got a lil treat for my ladies…. #SAVAGEXFENTY is coming to you worldwide on MAY 11th!!” she wrote.
“Exclusively on SAVAGEX.com! Head there now to peep the live countdown.”
In Instagram posts teasing the collection, the Umbrella singer included a short video post of a plus-size model.
Confirming reports that Savage Fenty will span across XS-3X and 32A-44DD, it was captioned: “Savages come in all shapes and sizes!
“Ya ready? @savagexfenty MAY.11.2018.”
It makes sense that Rihanna has used her debut fashion collection to champion diversity: her sell-out cosmetics range, Fenty Beauty set the beauty world because it launched with a whopping 40 foundation shades available.
And then, of course, there’s the fact that the singer – like so many other women in the public eye – has been the target of body-shaming internet trolls for some time.
Last year, a sports journalist shamefully called out the singer’s apparent weight gain in a post titled: “Is Rihanna Going to Make Being Fat the Hot New Trend?”
Responding to the article, RiRi – styling herself as ‘Thickanna’ posted a hilarious before-and-after weight-loss meme of the rapper Gucci Mane.
“If you can’t handle me at my 2007 Gucci Mane, you don’t deserve me at my 2017 Gucci Mane,” she captioned it.
Now, in a new interview, Rihanna has addressed the culture of Internet body-shaming.
“You’ve just got to laugh at yourself, honestly,” she told Vogue. “I mean, I know when I’m having a fat day and when I’ve lost weight. I accept all of the bodies.
“I’m not built like a Victoria’s Secret girl, and I still feel very beautiful and confident in my lingerie.”
I still feel very beautiful and confident in my lingerie.
Rihanna went on to explain that her lingerie line won’t just be diverse in terms of sizing – but also with regards to the colours used, , offering a range of nude underwear that goes far beyond the beige T-shirt bra.
Revealing that this was inspired by her own frustration at the lack of nude undergarments available for her skin tone, the singer insisted that her only regret in life is not wearing a bedazzled thong under the infamous sheer Adam Selman gown that she wore to accept her Fashion Icon Award in 2014.
Why? Because the “nude” thong she wore underneath was “not my nude,” she said.
Now, she’s not only allowing others to feel comfortable in nude designs that match their skin tone, she’s empowering women like never before.
“Savage is really about taking complete ownership of how you feel and the choices you make. Basically making sure everybody knows the ball is in your court,” she said. “As women, we’re looked at as the needy ones, the naggy ones, the ones who are going to be heartbroken in a relationship.
“Savage is just the reverse. And you know, guys don’t like getting the cards flipped on them – ever.”
Image: Getty
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