Rihanna – If you don’t have the DVR cranked up for tonight’s MTV Video Music Awards, you might want to make sure you’re sitting in front of the TV promptly at 8 p.m. because Rihanna is starting off the show.
The Bajan beauty has been in the news so much lately for things other than her music that it’s easy to forget that Rihanna onstage (and in the studio) is where this all started. For the record, it started seven years ago with the smash hit “Pon de Replay” and shortly thereafter with the hit “SOS.” She has soared since then, becoming one of the most closely watched and talked about stars in the world.
And to demonstrate how things Rihanna tend to focus on everything but her music, the big story today is the short haircut she was sporting yesterday when she slipped into the Staples Center in Los Angeles to prepare for tonight’s show. Of course, considering how quickly she changes up the style, a short haircut yesterday doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how she’ll look tonight when she steps out on stage at 8 p.m.
Her stylist Ursula Stephens acknowledged as much in a recent interview when she talked about Rihanna’s hair.
“We are always changing it up, experimenting, and having fun with hair. That’s what I love to do!” Stephens said. “Her hairstyle typically changes depending on what’s on our agenda, what she’s wearing, or how she’s feeling. We take it day by day and event by event, and usually will both bring ideas to the table. It’s always a collaboration, which is such a great way to work.”
When Rihanna takes the stage tonight, she will be joined by her hit factory collaborators Calvin Harris and A$AP Rocky. Harris will be the house DJ for the awards show. Rihanna is slated to open the show with “We Found Love.” Then she will move into a new remixed version of “Cockiness (Love It),” featuring rapper A$AP Rocky.
Considering how many awards Rihanna is up for, it’s only right that she kick off the show. The 24-year-old is up for five VMAs, including Video of the Year, Best Female Video, Best Pop Video for “We Found Love,” Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects for “Where Have You Been.”
In addition to the hosting by the hilarious Kevin Hart, the VMAs will also include performances by Nicki Minaj, Frank Ocean, Taylor Swift, Green Day, Pink, Alicia Keys and One Direction.
