Rihanna got candid about first-time motherhood in her latest Vogue interview as she graced the publication’s May cover. The superstar and fashion mogul, 34, discussed her choice to wear clothes that emphasize her baby bump rather than hide it, her romance with boyfriend A$AP Rocky, 33, and how she is preparing for childbirth as she is currently in her third trimester.
Whether she’s showing off her changing body at Fashion Week or in a now iconic photoshoot with her baby’s father on the streets of Harlem, Rihanna has rocked countless skin-baring outfits since her baby announcement in January. She says this is because she is proud of her pregnancy and her self-expression through fashion is the same as it ever was.
“When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, there’s no way I’m going to go shopping in no maternity aisle,” she said to Vogue. “I’m sorry—it’s too much fun to get dressed up. I’m not going to let that part disappear because my body is changing.”
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She continued, saying she hopes other pregnant women can find happiness and strength through their bodies and style, as well. “My body is doing incredible things right now, and I’m not going to be ashamed of that. This time should feel celebratory. Because why should you be hiding your pregnancy?”
In the Annie Leibovitz-shot photoshoot, the Savage X Fenty founder donned a wide array of stunning designer ensembles that helped show off her beautiful figure, including a veiled Jean Paul Gaultier couture gown, a red Rick Owens jacket and long skirt, and a flowy Marc Jacobs coat paired with her own brand’s briefs. This was captured in an elegant hotel room in Paris.
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Regarding her beau, Rihanna said that she feels like she “can do any part of life by his side” (aww!) and that what she loves most about their relationship is their mutual “transparency” and “vulnerability.” This then led the interviewer to ask the singer if she and her partner had been planning to have a child.
“Planning? I wouldn’t say planning,” she said, “But certainly not planning against it. I don’t know when I ovulate […] We just had fun and then it was just there on the test. I didn’t waste any time. I called him inside and showed him. Then I was in the doctor’s office the next morning and our journey began.”
She also discussed her fears of morning sickness, mood swings and other negative reactions and experiences women close to her have felt while expecting and ultimately giving birth. She said she is “praying my body allows me” breastfeed and that “postpartum depression” frightens her the most. “Will I feel out of control emotionally? Those are the stories I hear from other women that scare me,” she said.
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As the story came to a close, Rihanna said “balance” is one of her biggest challenges and always has been. “And now there’s another human being coming into play, it changes what that means again,” she added, “Still, I have businesses that aren’t going to run themselves.”
She then credited her mother as her role model and who she looks up to as she prepares to become one herself. “My mom handled the three of us with not even close to the amount of resources that I have, so I can absolutely do it. What it looks like? I’m not sure.”
While an official due date for Rihanna and A$AP Rocky has yet to be revealed, if the hitmaker is in her third trimester, fans online have been guessing that the little one will be on their way sooner than we may think.
