Rihanna's 5th Annual Diamond Ball Breakdown
That Rihanna reign just won’t let up.
On September 12, 2019, the singer-turned-businesswoman held her 5th Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
While online spectators speculated about Rihanna’s possible pregnancy (because celebrities can’t possibly be bloated or well fed or even curvy), the star-studded gala’s significance was briefly lost in translation. But fear not, Blk Girl Culture has got you covered!
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
In 2012, Rihanna founded the Clara and Lionel Foundation in honor of her grandparents Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. CLF promotes global advocacy, supports health and emergency relief programs and strives to increase female enrollment rates in schools worldwide.
Although the Diamond Ball is always noted in the media for its star-studded guest list, glamorous red carpet and annual performances, this benefit gala is meant to raise money for the Clara and Lionel Foundation’s efforts. Last year’s ball raised $5 million.
Since its inception, the CLF has funded over 59 educational and natural disaster relief programs. You go RiRi! We are here for the philanthropy!
Now, we can get into those looks from the evening:
Cardi B (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Normani (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Bad Gyal Riri (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
YG and Kehlani (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
DJ Khaled, Nicole Tuck and ‘Another One’ (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
Megan Thee Stallion (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
The benefit gala was hosted by Seth Myers who recently interviewed Rihanna on his show, Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Cardi and RiRi (Dimitrios Kambouris)
During the charity auction portion of the night, Cardi B excitedly bid $110k for a limited edition copy of Rihanna’s unreleased coffee table book.
Despite all the glam and glitz, Rihanna focused on the humanitarian side of the gala as she honored Activist Shaun King and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who is the country’s first female PM, with the Diamond Ball award for their relentless efforts.
Afterwards, several artists performed on the stage including A$AP Rocky, Machel Montano, Fat Joe, Fabolous and our girl Megan Thee Stallion.
A$AP Ferg (Getty images)
As the world anticipates the release of her ninth album, guests were happy to see Rihanna come out and perform her verse on N.E.R.D.’s song “Lemon” with Pharrell Williams.
Pharrell’s set was followed by DJ Khaled who kept the party going until everyone cleared the dance floor.
The CLF reported that this year’s Diamond Ball raised over $5 million for relief and educational programs.
Be a part of the change! Shine bright like a diamond and donate to the Clara and Lionel Foundation today.
