Last week, British fans of Rihanna went wild when they spotted an unusual product in the background of one of the singer’s Instagram stories: a Sainsbury’s carrier bag.
While it was safe to assume that the Jamaican singer, who found success overseas in the United States and then internationally, was in town for some reason, it has now been revealed that Rihanna has actually moved to London.
Normally when a celebrity as big as Rihanna moves countries, there's plenty of fanfare and hype. But somehow, the founder of Fenty Beauty managed to keep it quiet - at least, until her interview with The New York Times came out.
Rihanna reportedly moved to the Big Smoke two years ago in order to be closer to the team of her upcoming luxury fashion brand Fenty under the LVMH umbrella, which is based in Paris and Italy.
When asked by the New York Times what she had “come to appreciate” in London since making her transatlantic move, she responded, “Walking around the block.”
Rihanna added that she tries to “keep it a little incognito” as “walking outside in the sun” is something that makes her very happy. She also dropped a little hint on where she lives in London.
Rihanna said, "The world can really make you believe that the wrong things are priority and it makes you really miss the core of life, what it means to be alive... Like going to the grocery store - you know, there's a cute little Jamaican market near where I live right now."
It was revealed that at the time of the interview in April, everything had to be “shut down” so that the star could make it to Shoreditch’s Dark Sugars Cocoa House for the interview.
When asked about it, she explained that it was “a bank holiday” and proved herself a true Londoner when she elaborated, “Everyone’s out. It’s insane.”
Naturally, Rihanna fans (who call themselves the Navy) went wild on Twitter. Some joked that Queen Elizabeth would have to watch out, as the “true queen” had arrived.
One fan wrote, “SHOOK SHOOK SHOOK. The True Queen of England.”
“I suggest a hunt for our Queen and a march to return her to her throne at Buckingham Palace,” another wrote.
Others put two and two together, pointing out that her Sainsburys bag was a major sign she had moved. One fan said, “That's why there was a Sainsburys bag for life in the back of the pic she posted. Can you imagine Rihanna at the self check out in Sainsburys?”
Another fan responded, “If I bumped into Rihanna at the self checkout I would drop dead.”
And others broke out the magnifying glass and Sherlock cap as they tried to figure out where the star lived.
Beyond her new LVMH brand, Rihanna has other reasons to be in London. Earlier this month, her popular cosmetics line Fenty Beauty was rolled out on a massive scale across the UK at numerous Boots locations - making it easier to get hold of the brand’s diverse foundation shades and highlighters.
Additionally, Rihanna’s billionaire boyfriend Hassan Jameel is also believed to live in London.
