Rihanna's Recent Gig Sparks Speculation of a Glastonbury Appearance

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Rihanna Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Have you seen Rihanna in her wedding singer era or is she gearing up for something even bigger?

On Friday, March 1, footage started circulating online of Rihanna putting on a mini concert in Junagadh, India. She was performing as part of a three-day pre-wedding bash for Anant Ambani, the son of billionaire tycoon Mukesh Ambani. Anant is set to marry Radhika Merchant in July.

Rihanna wore a shiny green long-sleeved dress with pink boots that went up to her thighs while entertaining a crowd of 1,200 guests. Some notable attendees were Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump, and Mark Zuckerberg. She sang a mix of popular songs like “Work,” “B—h Better Have My Money,” and “All of the Lights” during her performance.

Aside from her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show, Rihanna's recent wedding performance marked her first since 2016. Some fans are excited and speculating that this could be a sign of more performances to come from the talented singer, possibly at the Glastonbury Music Festival.

According to Blakely Neiman Thornton, a self-described pop culture anthropologist, Rihanna was reportedly paid between $6 and $9 million for her 19-song set. In a post on Instagram Reels, Thornton expressed confusion about Rihanna's motivations, pointing out that as a billionaire, she has many other ways to make money without performing, such as releasing a new Fenty lip liner or doing sponsored Instagram posts for a car company.

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Thornton noted that Rihanna is rumored to be performing at Glastonbury this year, as reported by NME. The festival is scheduled to take place from June 26 to June 30.

Thornton mentioned that Kelly Rowland once said everyone has their motivations. He emphasized that crossing continents for $9 million may be below Rihanna's pay grade. However, getting paid $9 million to practice and receive seven figures for something she would do anyway makes more sense to him.

Rihanna's last album, Anti, was released in 2016. Since then, there have been reports of a new album in the works. In 2019, sources revealed to We that the Grammy winner had finished recording her ninth album. One source mentioned that the vocals were done, but final touches like mastering were still being worked on. Rihanna even shared on Instagram that she planned to release the record in 2019.

However, the album never came. In February this year, her partner A$AP Rocky confirmed that Rihanna was “working on it” when asked for an update on the project. Rihanna has previously stated that when she does finally release new music, there will likely be a tour to go along with it.

“Well, we’re always gonna go back on tour when, I feel like, I wanna do a tour when there’s new music,” she told Entertainment Tonight in December 2023. “We already know what that’s gonna be with the songs that I perform my last tour. That was a long time ago. I feel like it’s only fair that my fans get what they’ve been waiting on, which is new music. And after that, let’s just blow everything up.”

Editor's P/S:

Rihanna's recent performances, including her wedding singer gig in India and the Super Bowl halftime show, have sparked speculation about her potential return to music. While some fans eagerly anticipate a new album and tour, others question her motivations, given her vast wealth and success in other ventures. It remains to be seen whether Rihanna's recent outings are a sign of a full-blown musical comeback or simply a way to showcase her artistry and earn a hefty paycheck.

The article also highlights the elusive nature of Rihanna's upcoming album, which has been rumored for years without any concrete release date. Fans' excitement is tempered by the possibility that it may never materialize, as Rihanna has hinted at her desire to focus on her personal life and business endeavors. Nevertheless, the article serves as a reminder of her undeniable talent and the anticipation that surrounds any potential musical return from one of the most iconic performers of our time.