Rihanna's Vogue Profile Is Barely About Rihanna
LatestRihanna’s third Vogue cover is out today, and it’s — of course — beautiful. The accompanying story, not so much.
Rihanna is one of the most successful pop stars in the world, she’s a fascinating and compelling public figure, and she’s a fashion icon and inspiration to many. I would love to read a profile that sheds light on the phenomenon that is RiRi. Unfortunately, the Vogue article does not even come close to that — it seriously reads like an excuse for Plum Sykes (professional oblivious person, Vogue writer-cum-socialite, Gwyneth Paltrow hair expert) to gloat over all the cool clothes she asked Rihanna to pick out for her.
Since her last Vogue cover in November 2012, Rihanna has accomplished a lot — some of which is mentioned briefly in the Vogue piece, in passing. A lil’ recap: Rihanna’s most recent album, Unapologetic, came out the very month of her previous cover story. She directed the music video for “Pour It Up,” a single off that album, herself; some critics thought it was objectifying, whereas others thought it was a powerful celebration of feminine sexuality. Interesting! Wonder what Rihanna’s take on the debate is? (We never learn.) The very day of this interview, Rihanna learns that she now has as many number-one singles as Michael Jackson. Is she excited? Probably, but she’s never asked about it. She’s had several fashion accomplishments as well: she’s the new face of Balmain, she’s a muse to Alexander Wang, and she’s designed four collections for River Island. But, alas, she’s not really asked about any of that.
The vast, boring majority of the piece focuses on Plum’s desire to look and dress like Rihanna. It’s astonishing: every time the piece meanders in the direction of Rihanna — Rihanna’s thoughts, Rihanna’s past, Rihanna’s public persona, Rihanna’s hopes and dreams — Plum steers it quickly back to the subject of “my shopping trip, overseen by Rihanna, was quite the adventure.” It’s the most laughably solipsistic way one could ever address an icon: Yep, she’s great, but what about meeeeee?