Rihanna Talks Her Former Relationship with Drake, New Reggae Album, and More with Vogue

As she prepares the release of her upcoming lingerie line, Savage by Fenty, Rihanna is the latest celebrity to grace the cover of Vogue. Interviewed by Chioma Nnadi for her cover story, Rihanna opens up about starting the aforementioned lingerie line, no longer having a friendship with Drake, her long-awaited reggae album, her latest relationship, and much more.

Check out a few highlights below and check out the full cover story of Rihanna with Vogue here.

FENTY BEAUTY on Twitter: “@rihanna showing her #makeuptutorial in @voguemagazine. #comingsoon May 21, 2018 pic.twitter.com/uLQKzdCIYd / Twitter”

@rihanna showing her #makeuptutorial in @voguemagazine. #comingsoon May 21, 2018 pic.twitter.com/uLQKzdCIYd

On Drake:

Rihanna winces slightly at the mention of the rapper’s name before her eyes glaze over with cool indifference. “The VMAs is such a fan-focused awards show, so having that energy around me, and knowing the people who had received the award in the past, made it feel like a big deal,” she says. “Waiting through that speech was probably the most uncomfortable part. I don’t like too many compliments; I don’t like to be put on blast.” When I ask about the current state of their friendship, her attitude is sanguine. “We don’t have a friendship now, but we’re not enemies either. It is what it is.”

On her new reggae album:

With her next record—her ninth—Rihanna is moving the needle on her creative output all over again: She plans to make a reggae album. Though it’s too soon to name a full list of collaborators, one early influence may be Supa Dups, the Jamaican-born record producer who has worked with such dancehall greats as Beenie Man, Sean Paul, and Elephant Man.

On her love life:

Right now, she’s in a relationship. “I used to feel guilty about taking personal time,” she says, “but I also think I never met someone who was worth it before.” Though she’s reluctant to talk about her partner by name, rumors have been swirling around her connection to Hassan Jameel, a young Saudi businessman, since paparazzi photos of her vacationing with a handsome stranger in Spain made the rounds last summer.

These recent romantic developments are, however, part of a much bigger sea change for Rihanna, who turned 30 this year. For the first time in her life, she’s fully committed to a healthy work-life balance. “Even mentally, just to be away from my phone, to be in the moment, that has been key for my growth,” she says. “Now, when I come to work, I’m all in. Because before you know it, the years will go by. I’m glad I’m taking the time. I’m happy.”