Rihanna teases first song in three years – and song release is just days away
Rihanna delighted fans after revealing she returned to the studio for her first new song after three years. The 37-year-old, who announced she's expecting her third child with A$AP Rocky after showcasing her bump at the Met Gala, is releasing Friends of Mine on Friday for the new Smurfs film.
Her last drop was on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with Lift Me Up. Rihanna stars as Smurfette in the upcoming Smurfs movie, which also stars John Goodman as Papa Smurf, Nick Offerman as Ken, Sandra Oh as Moxie, Nick Kroll as Brainy Smurf. Other stars in the movie include James Corden, Xolo Maridueña and Kurt Russell.
Riri shared the trailer on her social media page, and it showed a small snippet of the upbeat song, which is part of the movie's soundtrack.
The Bajan singer captioned the post: "New #SmurfsMovie trailer featuring Friend Of Mine from the Smurfs soundtrack out Friday. pre-save now."
Fans loved that she was releasing new music, but expressed their disappointment that it wasn't in the form of a new album. One user wrote: "When we said we wanted new music, this isn't what we meant. ig we'll take what we can get."
"Saw her in the recording studio and almost screamed, and then…" one person commented and another fan yearning for new music added: "I thought she was about to bless us with music—'cause lately, my soul's been out here starving like it's on a diet of broken headphones and bad vibes."
After Rihanna confirmed her pregnancy, the Umbrella singer was asked if the album, affectionately nicknamed 'R9', would be 'put on pause even longer'. Rihanna responded to Entertainment Tonight: "No, maybe a couple of videos."
Fans have been eagerly awaiting this album for nine years, but RiRi hinted that plans are still on track. She cheekily added: "I can sing!"
Rihanna, already mum to sons RZA, two, and Riot, 21 months, with Rocky, also shared that she isn't feeling 'too overwhelmed' by her pregnancy, despite an initial shock. She said: "I'm good! I'm shockingly feeling ok, and not too overwhelmed at the moment. At first it was kinda like, 'Ahhh!'"
Meanwhile, fans are still waiting for the successor to 2016's Anti. While the details about the album remain scarce, Rihanna gave a sneak peek into what fans might expect from the record in February.
Speaking to Harper's BAZAAR magazine, she revealed: "I've been in the studio the whole eight years. But it didn't hit me. I was searching for it. I went through phases of what I wanted to do. 'This kind of album, not that album'."
"I know it's not going to be anything that anybody expects. And it's not going to be commercial or radio, digestible. It's going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now. I feel like I've finally cracked it, girl!"
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Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The two very different lives of Brangelina 20 years on and why marrying the world's sexiest man put Angelina off men
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Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Angelina got close to Brad on screen and off while filming 2005 movie Mr & Mrs Smith Credit: Alamy 6 Angelina at film festival in Santa Barbara, California earlier this year Credit: Getty 6 Brad's long-awaited Oscar came in 2020 for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Credit: Getty But 20 years ago she met Brad Pitt as they co-starred in comedy-thriller movie Mr & Mrs Smith — and something changed. The couple instantly formed a relationship which looked from the outside like it was increasingly stable and full of love. Brad took on Angelina's adopted baby son from Cambodia, Maddox, now 23, and together they added to their 'rainbow family' by adopting Zahara, now 20, from Ethiopia in 2006, and Pax, now 21, from Vietnam in 2007. They later added biological kids Shiloh, now 19, and twins Knox and Vivienne, now 16, to their brood. And they spent 12 happy years together as the world swooned over two of the best-looking people in the world falling for each other like the love stories Hollywood is famous for. But as with so many blockbusters, young love turned to bitter hatred and Angelina filed for divorce in September 2016 — citing 'irreconcilable differences'. Now, all these years since the 2005 movie that birthed 'Brangelina', there is little sign of that attention-loving anarchy which defined Angelina's early showbiz life. And certainly no sign of the wild love life she once enjoyed — in fact, the beautiful A-Lister seems so resolutely single that pals are wondering, has marrying the sexiest man in showbiz ultimately turned her off men altogether? Priority is the kids While Brad has bounced back bigger than ever — living with girlfriend Inés de Ramón and garnering a slew of acting awards — Angelina seems to have become something of a recluse. Except from a few dinner dates with The Weeknd — where neither party confirmed a romance — she has remained resolutely single. Angelina Jolie is in 'goddess mode' with new beau – while Brad Pitt is 'putting on for the cameras' with his, says pro Even rumours she was dating Brit rapper Akala were quickly quashed. Despite allegations of abuse by Angelina, Brad has emerged relatively unscathed from the ugly eight-year divorce battle that ensued between them, before they finally finalised their divorce late last year. Meanwhile Angelina, who turned 50 last week, is still recovering from the turmoil, and the general consensus is that she would be hard-pressed to ever date again. Ange still has difficulty trusting, I don't know if she'll ever fully get over the trauma of her divorce. Source close to Angelina She may have been 'lucky' enough to marry the world's sexiest man but, in the wreckage of their acrimonious split and legal battles, she is now off men for good. Speaking exclusively to the Sun, sources tell us Angelina's scars still remain, and are unlikely to ever heal. 'Ange still has difficulty trusting,' says an insider close to the mum of six. 'I don't know if she'll ever fully get over the trauma of her divorce.' Despite being together for years, it was not until 2014 that Brangelina married, at their French vineyard-estate Château Miraval. She wore a veil emblazoned with doodles by their six children. 'It does feel different,' she told Vanity Fair shortly after. 'It feels nice to be husband and wife.' Yet two years later, the dream was over — its collapse sparked by a now-infamous bust-up on a private jet. Within a week of that, Angelina had filed for divorce, alleging in court papers that Brad, in a series of drunken rages, had attacked her and 'choked one of the children and struck another in the face'. Her lawyers later doubled down on the allegations, stating: 'While Pitt's history of abuse of Jolie started well before the family's 2016 plane trip from France to LA, this marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well.' Brad's actions on the jet were later investigated but he was not charged. Nevertheless, he has since said that his heavy use of booze — which he later gave up — had a negative effect on his family life. As for the years that followed, it was, until recently, just never-ending mud-slinging and legal attacks. The former couple were locked in a bitter dispute for years surrounding the sale of their Miraval estate, as well as the matter of custody. Even today, despite signing off their divorce, details over Miraval are still murky, though it is believed Brad still owns half of it, while Angelina sold her share. As for the kids, four of the six are now legally adults so no longer qualify for custody — but have evidently distanced themselves from Brad entirely. It is believed Maddox has not spoken to him for years — while last year an old Instagram post by Pax resurfaced, in which he called his dad a 'world-class asshole'. Zahara and Shiloh are also said to have ceased contact with Brad, as they both now go by the surname Jolie — Shiloh even filed legal documents to make it official. At this point, only Vivienne and Knox are believed to have any contact with their father. But while Brad has seemingly lost the most from the Brangelina divorce, he looks to have had the biggest bounce-back. Just look at where he stands today — at the age of 61, with the world still at his feet. Despite all the drama and acrimony around his collapsed marriage, his reputation seems untarnished. I guess I'm in transition as a person. I feel a bit down these days. I don't feel like I've been myself for a decade, in a way. Angelina in 2023 Undoubtedly, there must be pain behind the scenes when it comes to his estrangement from the children, but he has played down any notion of enduring trauma. Brad said as much in his recent interview with GQ magazine, claiming the divorce, after all the drawn-out wrangling, was not 'that major of a thing'. He added it was 'just something coming to fruition, legally'. Angelina has remained silent since signing on the dotted line, but she has previously hinted at the chokehold that their fractured relationship has continued to have on her. In 2023, she told Vogue magazine: 'I guess I'm in transition as a person. I feel a bit down these days. I don't feel like I've been myself for a decade, in a way.' Her life has been solely focused around her kids, and they are — by all accounts — her greatest joy. That has been clear enough whenever she has walked the red carpet in recent years, always flanked by at least one of her children. Still, it's her priority as a mother that has also kept her undercover - and stuck in a city she hates. Last year, she complained that she was forced to stay in LA, where Brad is based, while her twins were still underage. 6 Brad with girlfriend Inés de Ramón Credit: Rex 6 Angelina was snubbed by the Oscars for her role in Maria, as opera singer Maria Callas 'I am here because I have to be here from a divorce,' she told The Hollywood Reporter. 'But as soon as they're 18, I'll be able to leave. When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety.' Snubbed by Oscars The subtext is that she neither feels privacy, nor peace, nor safety in her current surroundings. As for her acting career, she's tentatively dipped her toes back in - but the actress has failed to match the blockbuster success she had in the nineties and noughties. There's a reason Angelina is still single, and it's not for a lack of men lining up to date her A source We're told her performance as opera singer Maria Callas in last year's Maria was supposed to be her big comeback, but while she earned a Golden Globe nomination, she was snubbed by the Oscars. And rubbing salt into wounds, Brad's career continues to go from strength to strength. In 2020, he won his long-awaited Oscar for his role in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood - proving that Hollywood held no grudges towards him amid his and Angelina's war of words. He's since seen box office success with Bullet Train, while early critics who have seen his new movie F1 say it's the 'perfect summer blockbuster' - adding that Brad is back on top. The optics are that - while Angelina is stuck, Brad is soaring. And the same rules apply when it comes to romance. 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Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
How Sydney Sweeney's sexy new single life will ‘DOUBLE her £40m fortune' with her raciest ever stunts
A newly-single Sydney is leaning into her sexy image with brand campaigns and ad deals - and it's paying off nicely SWEENEY WAD How Sydney Sweeney's sexy new single life will 'DOUBLE her £40m fortune' with her raciest ever stunts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS an actress, she's got Hollywood at her feet - with bigwig directors lining up to work with her, and a slew of movies in the pipeline. But Sydney Sweeney isn't just resting on her laurels on set. 15 Sydney Sweeney has cemented herself as a Hollywood sex symbol Credit: Getty 15 She split from her fiancé Jonathan Davino in February Credit: Getty 15 Since then, she's leaned into her pin-up status - even releasing a soap made from her bathwater for 'dirty little boys' Credit: The Mega Agency Instead, the very savvy star is cashing in on the side with enough money-making brand deals to fund a small nation, and she's leaving no doubt as to what those deals all hinge upon: her irresistible sex appeal. After all, while Hollywood is built on beauty, there are few stars who can fully embody that bombshell energy of yesteryear - in the guise of Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren - and become a brand unto themselves in the process. Yet Sydney manages to toe that line - and it's no coincidence that she's fully embraced her sexiest, and most marketable, self yet in the wake of her relationship ending earlier this year. According to brand and culture expert Nick Ede, the 27-year-old knows what her selling power is. And with her single status now confirmed to the world, she's leaning into that bachelorette image. Hollywood bombshell 'She's a modern-day sex symbol - and it feels like brands are really buying into her,' Nick tells us. 'They want to be associated with her, and they love the fact that she's single because it means she's potentially obtainable to guys. "Meanwhile, women feel like she's more relatable because of the likely heartbreak she's had, so they want to support her too. 'There's lots of opportunities in this from a branding point of view - and with 25m Instagram followers, she's got a lot of influence!' Last week, the Euphoria star confirmed reports that had been circulating since February, that, after seven years, she'd broken up with fiancé Jonathan Davino. Speaking to The Sunday Times Style magazine, she said she was now single, adding, 'I'm learning a lot about myself, spending more time with my friends. And I'm loving it.' Sydney Sweeney looks incredible as she makes FOUR outfit changes in one day to promote new movie Echo Valley 15 Amid her break-up, she posed with a hot air balloon and told fans, 'Only up from here' Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney 15 She walked the carpet alone at the Met Gala in May Credit: Getty 15 She's also been posting some sexy shots on Instagram in the wake of her split Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney And one thing she's seemingly learnt about herself is that she's a highly valuable commodity, who can command big figures from companies begging her to promote them. Indeed, over the past few months - and coinciding with her break-up - Sydney has aligned herself with more brands than ever, fronting their ad campaigns and posting branded content to her social media. Big brand deals Some of her recent brand partnerships include the likes of MiuMiu, HEYDUDE shoes, Armani makeup, Samsung, Laneige, Kérastase, Ford and Dickies. Meanwhile, her recent - very tongue in cheek - campaign for Dr Squatch, which saw her release a range of soap made out of her own bathwater, proves the fact that she knows her sexy image sells. Joking that the idea was born from 'dirty little boys' who 'wouldn't stop asking' for her used bathwater, Sydney cheekily posed for the men's soap company in a bathtub. Would she have done so willingly if she were still engaged? Possibly. But she couldn't fully represent that attainable fantasy to her mostly male market with a ring on her finger. She owns herself and she owns the way she looks Brand and culture expert Nick Ede 'When she was still in her relationship, it didn't really feel like she was being so overtly sexual with her social posts, and she wasn't doing as many brand collaborations,' says Nick. 'But now that she's single again, and she's not getting married, it feels like she's come out of that spell. Now, she's out there, and she's owning it. 'I think that's what's great about her - she owns herself and she owns the way she looks. 'She's a bit like Sabrina Carpenter - they both own their sexuality and it's up to them what they push and what they don't push.' Of course, this isn't the first time that Sydney has leaned into her desirability to earn the big bucks. In 2023, she starred in the romcom Anyone But You - but it was the press tour to promote the movie that had fans running to the cinemas, as they couldn't get enough of Sydney's 'are they - aren't they' chemistry with co-star Glen Powell. The pair have both been open about how they harnessed the rumours surrounding their relationship to feed fans' frenzy, and ultimately guarantee box office success. To that end, they happily flirted for the cameras and cosied up together on red carpets - despite the fact that Sydney was still coupled up with Jonathan at the time. Clearly, the actress isn't afraid to ham it up for the cameras - and also blur the lines between film and reality. As Nick tells us, she's 'not pretentious nor prissy' when it comes to press and publicity, and she enthusiastically embraces her image as a pin-up. 15 Starring in an ad campaign for Miu Miu Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney 15 She's also promoted Kérastase alongside fellow pin-up Emily Ratajkowski Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney 15 Leaning into the romance rumours with Anyone But You co-star Glen Powell Credit: The Mega Agency She even fashioned a T-shirt last year that read: 'Sorry for having great t**s and correct opinions' across her chest - in response to some complaints about her sexualised image. What's important to note is that - while bombshells of the past like Marilyn Monroe were beholden to others, including film studios and directors - Sydney is fully in control of her image. On camera, she hasn't shied away from her sexy looks in the past - especially with envelope pushing roles in Euphoria and the erotic thriller The Voyeurs. But, given that - up until recently - she was engaged in real life, it was confined to make believe. Now, her sexy image seems more real than ever, and brands are clearly buying into the narrative… which is, ultimately, Sydney's bottom line. Money minded As the actress herself has explained, she's driven to make a lot of money, which comes from her parents' financial struggles during childhood. When she was 16, her parents, Lisa and Steven, had to sell their home in Washington, forcing the family (she has one younger brother, Trent) to live in one bedroom together in a Holiday Inn hotel for eight and a half months. Three years later, her parents filed for bankruptcy. Since then, she's been determined to make a better life - both for herself and her parents - and has grafted hard to up her earning potential. 15 Posing with her parents, Lisa and Steven, and brother Trent at the latter's graduation Credit: Instagram/trent_sweeneyy 15 She and Trent had to share a bedroom with their parents after they were forced to sell the family home Credit: Instagram Clearly, her efforts have paid off. While Sydney earned $2m to star in Anyone But You, she's since upped her film fee to around $7.5m - earning her a reported net worth today of approximately $40m. And she spends it well, admitting she's 'obsessed with Zillow' (America's version of Rightmove), and has invested in a highly lucrative property portfolio that includes homes in Bel Air, Los Angeles, Florida Keys, and several more properties in the Pacific Northwest. She also has a vintage car collection - which she last added to with a $68,500 Fiat Jolly. Meanwhile, the savvy star has also cemented herself behind the camera in Hollywood, producing Anyone But You and her recent film Immaculate. She's also producing her two upcoming movies - The Housemaid, and an untitled biopic about the boxer Christy Martin. However, as she herself has previously said, the acting and producing gigs only go so far - especially in today's economy. 'They don't pay actors like they used to,' she said in 2022. 'And with streamers, you no longer get residuals'. On brand That's where the brand deals come in. According to Nick, Sydney's massive following - which eclipses most actresses working today - guarantees her a sizeable income from sponsored content. That means that, the way things are going, she could easily double her fortune in no time. 'She could absolutely double it - I think she could be making hundreds of thousands per post,' he explains. 'She's wearing clothes from the likes of Miu Miu and jewellery from De Beers - ultra fabulous stuff. 'And she recently did a deal with Samsung Galaxy - deals like that can bring in six figures, definitely. 15 Yet another ad campaign - this time for Armani Beauty Credit: Instagram/@armanibeauty/@sydney_sweeney 15 Posing for Samsung Galaxy - in a deal that could be worth six figures Credit: Instagram 'With 25m followers, she's up there with the Kardashians. Sydney's really captured the zeitgeist.' As for where she goes from here, the sky's the limit for the star - who's somehow achieved the impossible: straddling the worlds of old Hollywood and new-age social media. Some stars in the past have tried and failed to be both commercial and respected in acting circles, but Sydney's somehow struck that balance. If she were a mediocre actress, she couldn't have done this Nick Ede According to Nick, her brand comes down to some excellent strategising and talent management. 'If she were a mediocre actress, she couldn't have done this,' he says. 'Look at Megan Fox, who kind of ruined her career because her sexuality came before her acting. 'Sydney's different - she's got really great range, and also has that respect of Hollywood, which allows her to do these brand deals. 'She's very clever - and the team behind her must be really clever as well. Everyone understands what she's doing. 'She's peppering the deals with movies and she's not over-saturating in either arena - that means we'll keep buying into her.' As for where she goes from here, it seems the sky's the limit for Hollywood's ultimate It Girl. She'll soon be starring as boxer Christy - in a film that's already being pegged for Oscar success. Meanwhile, in the meantime, she's proving she's got enough self-awareness - and cheekiness - to cash in on her sex appeal. It seems that, as long as people are happy to buy soap made of her bathwater, she'll continue to sell it. And - in the process - Sydney's cleaning up very nicely indeed. 15 She adopted a dog, Sully, following her relationship split Credit: Instagram/sydney_sweeney 15 Sydney first sexed up her image starring as Cassie in Euphoria Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Scorpio weekly horoscope: What your star sign has in store for June 8
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes. Read on to see what's written in the stars for you today. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up SCORPIO OCT 24 - NOV 22 🔵 Read our horoscopes live blog for the latest readings 1 Freedom, adventure and hope are the themes of your chart this week – opening you up to a coming year of personal development. You have learned so much lately, even from tough times – and this is your golden ticket to the right future. It's tempting to look away from cash questions, but when you face them full on, you can lose the fear. Passion and 'B' make an intense brew. DESTINY DAYS: Promise yourself some quality sleep on Tuesday. Wednesday is Learn-A-New-Language Day. Wait a little longer for an 'OK' on Saturday – keep pressure off. LUCKY LINKS: Dance steps from schooldays. A count-down clock. The friend who chats the longest on the phone. JUBILANT JUPITER: You're moving fast, and forward - and finding out so much about yourself, your family and your future, as Jupiter's golden influence travels through your chart. What your zodiac sign says about your home decor And you can fix yourself so firmly into the fast lane, when it comes to study or experience. You pick up facts and figures rapidly and easily, and use them so smartly. And it's the way you gather everyone up and take them towards your new horizons that make you truly stand out. Green tickets and '9' numbers can be your Jupiter luck finders. Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what's in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions. You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it's like to live your life totally by your horoscope.
