There is pregnancy, and then there is a Rihanna pregnancy, a whole cultural event with paparazzi whiplash and couture chaos. While other celebrities play peek-a-boo with oversized hoodies, Rihanna strolls into Paris Fashion Week draped in sheer Dior, belly out like a runway trophy. Whether she is in diamonds or denim, Fenty’s maternity looks are less about comfort and more about commanding the entire internet for the popstar. 

To no one’s surprise, Rihanna dropped a summer photoshoot hotter than a dashboard in August, and then made it funnier than anyone had the right to expect. With the caption, “it’s me playing ‘hide the baby bump’ whole shoot!”, Rihanna casually redefined stealth mode in high fashion. Fans did not know whether to laugh, cry, or rewatch the slideshow for the 37th time. The internet, naturally, short-circuited, as it always does when Rihanna posts anything more than a product launch.

Now awaiting her third child, Rihanna seems to be casually building an elite music-baby empire. Rumors about her upcoming album, the mythical R9, as it has come to be called by fans, have fans sharpening their Fenty eyeliners in anticipation. Whether she drops a baby or a Billboard hit first is still up for debate. But knowing Rihanna, she will probably do both in one week, and still show up on the cover of Vogue.

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Vogue or not, the internet could easily draft a full editorial on Rihanna’s epic flair, a shoot so iconic it will spark endless recreations, none of which will ever touch the original, much like trying to cover a Whitney Houston song with a sore throat.

The first wave of fan reactions to Rihanna’s latest photoshoot perfectly captured the awe and digital meltdown. Comments like “And the body stay bodying, even if it’s growing another body” showed how unstoppable she is. Another fan confessed, “My phone is overheating now,” which is fair considering the nonstop scrolling. And the image of Rihanna holding melting ice inspired the perfect response: “And suddenly, I want to be a piece of ice.” 

The excitement for Rihanna’s ninth album, R9, is just as fierce. Fans joked, “R9 is winning the hide and seek though,” while another pleaded, “Are you hiding R9 too cause I need it.” The anticipation is real, and everyone agrees fans can expect plenty from this mysterious yet undoubtedly her ninth masterpiece. Between jaw-dropping maternity moments and the album hype, Rihanna is clearly keeping her Navy, and the internet, completely hooked.

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Who do you think will come first, R9 or the baby? Drop your