Rihanna was the gift that kept on giving for her 4th annual Diamond Ball last night. Go inside for her fashion deets, plus peep flicks of Childish Gambino, Tiffany Haddish, Issa Rae, Normani and more partying with purpose...
Diamond Ball perfection!
Rihanna brought her 4th annual Diamond Ball back to Cipriani Wall Street in New York City after bringing the black tie gala to NYC for the first time last year.
#DiamondBall queen. pic.twitter.com/88lzWJ6Efp
— RihannaDaily.com (@RihannaDaily) September 14, 2018
The "Work" singer tapped her fave celebrity friends to come out in their best to pay up and party for a purpose. The live auction, hosted by Seth Meyers, raised more than $1 million that will benefit The Clara Lionel Foundation.
Rih founded the CLF in 2012 to honor her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts and culture. Rihanna's inspiring history of service to others continues in CLF's mission, programs and partnerships.
On the carpet, she told the AP:
“In the past I’ve wanted to support so many causes and you go to one foundation for this and one foundation for that. And I don’t think it’s fair to turn your back on someone else who needs help just because it doesn’t fit into the bracket of your mold. And I don’t think charities should be molded like that— not for me anyways,” she said.
“Some people, it works for them, but for me personally, I couldn’t sleep knowing that I can’t help someone with AIDS because my charity’s about cancer. Everybody needs help, you don’t even know what that means, it could be schools supplies, it could be something as light as that. But we would always, always reach out and support, so this going to be an ever-growing charity.”
Check it:
After debuting her body inclusive Savage x Fenty Fall 2018 collection at NYFW, the Bajan beauty was the gift that kept on giving when she hit the carpet in a white haute couture icon bow gown/jumpsuit created by Alexis Mabille. She paired her look with white Jimmy Choo sandals and Chopard jewelry.
Slay, queen!
EMMY nominated actress Issa Rae, who hit the carpet in a gold sequin Valentino gown, hosted the event and was more than excited to be there. When she hit the stage the "Insecure" actress/creator told the audience, "Rihanna knows my name y'all!" Ha!
Rih tapped Childish Gambino to perform during the Diamond Ball. On the carpet, Rih was asked about the "Guava Island" project with Gambino, but she wasn't offering up any details.
"I can not speak on that," she said. "That is for him to speak on. I will leave it at that, but it was an exciting experience." She also shared her proudest accomplishment about the Diamond Ball.
Peep the clip below:
— Rihanna (@RihVids) September 14, 2018
By the way, Gambino rocked a Dior suit.
"Hit The Floor" star Teyana Taylor, who's currently on tour, rolled up on the carpet to party with Rih in a black Moschino floor-length tuxedo dress. Around this time five years ago, Rih and Tey were feuding on social media. Glad they patched it up.
Turn up, Tiff!
Night School actress Tiffany Haddish, who recently won an EMMY award, was her usual bubbly self on the carpet before the gala.
By the way, Night School hits theaters September 28th.
"Power" star LaLa Anthony showed off her curves in a baby blue and black strapless GEORGINE gown.
Singer Normani was a vision in a swan-inspired white silk-crêpe Jean-Louis Sabaji Couture gown. It's different, but we're actually feeling it.
"Dreams & Nightmares" rapper Meek Mill got cleaned up for the shindig.
We love us some Justine Skye, but this Prabal Gurung dress is not the wave.
The Wopsters were boo'd up in black to give back.
Keyshia Ka'oir kept it sexy in a Charbel Zoe black gown.
Zaddy! Rapper Nipsey Hussle was looking like a snack on the carpet.
Rapper ASAP Rocky popped up rocking the sneakers with a suit trend.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. brought his dad, Odell Beckham Sr., along for the soiree.
Victoria's Secret model Duckie Thot, who walked in Rih's Savage x Fenty show, totally SLAYED this red fringe jumper.
Model Joan Smalls, who also walked in Rih's Savage x Fenty 2018 show, kept it simple and sexy in a purple Roberto Cavalli couture dress.
ModelJasmine Sanders, who's dating TV personality Terrence J, struck a pose on the carpet.
Toronto Raptors baller Serge Ibaka looked damn good on the carpet.
DJ Mustard, who produced Rih's "Needed Me," brought his wife Chanel Thierry as his date for the evening.
"The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah, "CBS This Morning" co-host Gayle King and #MeToo founder Tarana Burke came out to support.
WNBA star Skylar Diggins was also in the mix.
Inside...
The philanthropic queen took the podium to thank everyone for supporting the CLF Foundation.
Rih linked up to snap pics with LaLa and Genesis Collado-Feliz, the older sister of the Bronx teen, Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz, who was brutally stabbed to death over the summer.
The Diamond Ball Queen continued making her rounds:
Y'all! Rihanna went old school on us, whipping out a video camera to record Childish Gambino as he performed. She was in the audience totally stanning out as Gambino performed “This Is America,” ‘’3005," "Redbone," and more.
Watch her stan out below:
I’m at the Diamond Ball and Childish Gambino is performing and this is Rihanna right now during his performance pic.twitter.com/o1jKt2jN4e
— Josh Duboff (@JDuboff) September 14, 2018
Rihanna watching and vibing to Childish Gambino's "Feels like Summer" #DiamondBallpic.twitter.com/l6GyO3nPSe
— #R9SZN (@histoRIHc) September 14, 2018
Rihanna was feeling it during Childish Gambino's performance of "3005" #DiamondBallpic.twitter.com/RKnwrkZOPn
— #R9SZN (@histoRIHc) September 14, 2018
Get your life Rih!
Issa got on her hosting duties, kicking off the gala with jokes.
Get it!
Childish Gambino had everyone on their feet during the party.
As usual, Tiff was spotted cutting up. We wonder what she said.
And here are more flicks from inside the gala:
group
Fun times!
Photos: Getty/Startraks