Last night at Rihanna’s Diamond Ball, instead of folks focusing on the very fact why everyone was there—to raise money for the Clara Lionel Foundation’s global education, health, and emergency response programs—they were on the Beyonce’s Internet worrying about the singer’s womb.
See, this video below went viral and got everyone on Twitter believing that the Fenty creator was giving us a full-on baby bump in this black form-fitting Givenchy haute couture gown.
Soon after, folks got #RihannaIsPregnant trending, mad they are not the designer’s child or delusional in thinking they ever had a chance with her or believing that she owes us an album and can’t live her life. The audacity!
And of course, men always showing how much they hate Black girl joy:
While Rihanna hasn’t confirmed or denied the news, on Friday morning TMZ squashed the rumors claiming a “sources with direct knowledge” told them, “Sorry, she’s not pregnant.”
But all this hoopla really shines a light on how much we scrutinize women, especially Black women in the spotlight, for even the slightest weight gain. The minute they eat a burrito, get bloated or pack on some pounds, folks are very quick to be on baby bump watch.
We can’t imagine spending so much of your life as a performer adhering to super-strict diets and constant workout plans to fit into a certain body type in order to succeed in a body-obsessed industry to finally get to your 30s and say, “I’ma just live,” and resist all that pressure, only to have your “imperfections” amplified for the world to see and talk about.
We’ve seen this with Beyonce, especially this year, and now it’s Rihanna’s turn, and honestly, it’s too much.
So while some of y’all wanna keep speculating on whether she’s with child or not, thankfully, there were folks on Twitter with common sense that want y’all to stop being so fixated on RiRi’s stomach and worry about your own.
Here’s what they had to say:
1.
Plot twist: You can enjoy a glass of champagne while pregnant (just not all the time).
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) September 13, 2019
Also? Can we stop speculating on folks' wombs? https://t.co/6rBHOy6dKA
2.
Yall refuse to let Rihanna eat in peace.
— Sylvia (@SylviaObell) September 13, 2019
3.
Okay so y’all are adamant about this Rihanna and pregnancy rumour being invasive and it is, but aren’t the constant request for new music from her just as invasive and disrespectful? Either way y’all don’t let this woman live.
— Melody Kewl (@Being_Melody) September 13, 2019
4.
Twitter: “Rihanna is pregnant!”
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 13, 2019
Rihanna: pic.twitter.com/eShUIVwdwJ
5.
Are you guys ABSOLUTELY SURE that Rihanna is pregnant?
— thechocolatediary.com (@NonhleBeryl) September 13, 2019
What if she’s infertile?
What if she’s struggling to conceive?
What if she’s suffered a miscarriage?
What if she doesn’t even want kids?
Why do we continue to put this pressure on women?
6.
Until Rihanna says, “I’m pregnant.” quit saying/asking if she is pic.twitter.com/eVgm7LGnYi
— chesty & testy (@_sugatits) September 13, 2019
7.
Rihanna to the media at her event :I’m Going to give birth to a black woman
— (Dedicated To My Rocovery).... CLB Soon 🦉 (@LifeOfGreg_) September 13, 2019
Fans : So no New Album 😣 but a lil RiRi is coming 🤗
Media & Entertainment World: Rihanna might be Pregnant
Me: minding my business waiting for actual proof #Rihanna #RIRI pic.twitter.com/FXljlAeJqx
8.
So Rihanna ain’t pregnant y’all just won’t let my sis eat in peace. This is why we never getting an album. pic.twitter.com/02ulXpsBvO
— dae⁷ᴮᴱ (@MONOSE0UL) September 13, 2019
9.
the only reason why rihanna's stomach looks like that in that picture/video you losers are spreading around is because she pulled her dress up so she could perform. please leave her alone and stop saying she's pregnant.
— dani ♡ (@runwayrih) September 13, 2019
10.
Sis drinking tho 👀. So is she really pregnant or is she making us talk about this so we can stop asking for an album 🤔🤔 #Rihanna #DiamondBall2019 pic.twitter.com/1Cu9JUXEN1
— αѕн (@ashakiiii) September 13, 2019
11.
This is why Rihanna hates y’all
— Kazeem Famuyide 🍎 (@Kazeem) September 13, 2019
12.
13.
If Rihanna is not pregnant and y’all are just drawing attention to her gut for no reason I’m gonna be PIIIIISSSEDDDD
— Love You #34 🇩🇴 (@shantall34) September 13, 2019
14.
Me hiding because people saying @rihanna isn’t pregnant because she drunk some wine. Cause. I.... #Rihannaispregnant pic.twitter.com/Cd8pbpwSTa
— Ashlee (@ashlee2luv) September 13, 2019