Exploring the Friendship Timeline of Katy Perry and Rihanna
Katy Perry and Rihanna stand out as two of the most legendary pop stars who have significantly shaped the playlists of a generation over the past twenty years. Exploring their long-standing friendship timeline makes for a fascinating study, considering their immense popularity. At one point, Rihanna and Katy Perry were practically inseparable, though their relationship has experienced its ups and downs throughout the years.
Both artists have an impressive lineup of chart-topping hits and have graced the Super Bowl Halftime Show stage. Katy Perry set viewership records during her 2015 Super Bowl performance with an animatronic lion and dancing shark, while Rihanna surpassed her in 2023.
Exploring the Timeline of Katy Perry and Rihanna’s Friendship
Here’s a detailed timeline outlining the significant moments in Katy Perry and Rihanna’s friendship:
2009: A Friendship Blossoms Over a Purse
Their friendship ignited when Katy Perry praised Rihanna’s handbag, leading the latter to gift the same purse to Perry on Valentine’s Day.
In an April 2012 interview with Elle Magazine, Perry reflected:
“She’s gorgeous, charming and so unedited it’s scary. That’s what intrigued me most when I first met her. She said it like she saw it. I trust people like that.”
September 18, 2010: Rihanna Throws a Bachelorette Party for Katy Perry
Rihanna hosted a bachelorette party for Katy Perry before her wedding to actor and comedian Russell Brand. The celebration commenced at the Hard Rock Hotel Beach Club in Las Vegas, featuring Perry’s close friends, Rihanna included.
Following the beach party, they hopped into a limo that took them to Cirque Du Soleil’s KA at MGM Grand Hotel/Casino, culminating their night at the Sapphire strip club, where Perry enjoyed watching female performers dance to her tracks.
October 23, 2010: Rihanna Misses Perry’s Wedding
Despite hosting a memorable bachelorette party, Rihanna was unable to attend Perry’s wedding to Russell Brand in India. The reason was Rihanna’s commitment to finalizing approvals for her album Loud.
In a 2010 interview with PEOPLE, Rihanna expressed her disappointment:
“I was crushed. I was really looking forward to it – but she understood, thank god. The album is coming out in two weeks, and I had to be available for a lot of approvals. We couldn’t get any phone service or Internet service out there.”
“It would have been a little bit irresponsible [to go to the wedding]. But at least she understood. And I was glad I could at least throw her [a] bachelorette party and be involved somehow,” she added.
November 6, 2012: Katy Perry Discusses Fallout with Rihanna Over Chris Brown
Rihanna’s decision to reconcile with Chris Brown at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards reportedly caused a rift between her and Perry, leading to a noticeable distance.
In a November 2012 MTV interview (as reported by Glamour), Perry stated:
“We’ve had dinner and that’s about it. I didn’t reach out to her after [Rihanna got back with Chris Brown.] I think she is doing fine. I don’t know.”
Glamour noted that Perry characterized Rihanna’s reunion with Chris as a “huge mistake.”Furthermore, in February 2013, Perry declined to sit alongside Rihanna and Chris Brown at the Grammys.
February 20, 2015: Perry Celebrates Rihanna’s Birthday with Fan Art
By 2015, during Rihanna’s birthday celebrations, it appeared the two had mended their relationship. Perry shared fan art depicting the two in a warm embrace, captioning it:
“HBD to my flawless friend @badgirlriri may I bestow this gift of beautiful fanart of us embracing with a passionate almost kiss. I hope you go to bed with all your makeup on tonight aka black out. Luh you, miss you, hope to share a yacht with you in the future bb.”
May 7, 2018: Rihanna Does Not Invite Katy Perry to Met Gala Afterparty
Three years post-birthday wishes, the dynamics of Katy Perry and Rihanna’s friendship seemed strained once again. Perry was reportedly excluded from Rihanna’s Met Gala afterparty at Up&Down, with sources indicating Rihanna felt uneasy having to take a picture with Perry.
A report from The Sun revealed that Perry was upset over not being invited, leaving their current status unclear.
May 23, 2020: Katy Perry Congratulates New Mom Rihanna
During a press conference for the season finale of American Idol, Perry voiced her happiness for Rihanna, who had just become a mom. While she did not offer specific advice, her sentiments were warm:
“So happy for her and [that] it’s the best decision that I was ever able to make. I know this time is so precious and it’s just like a gorgeous, cozy time. It’s a beautiful, magical time, so soak it all in,” she said.
Fans hope that the bond between Katy Perry and Rihanna will continue to flourish, providing both of their fandoms with charming moments like those of the past.
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