Rihanna Covers Vogue US June 2018 With Choice Words: I'm Not Built Like A Victoria's Secret Girl

Rihanna is making final preparations to join Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace and Amal Clooney at next week's 2018 Met Gala themed 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.' The event and accompanying exhibition is "designed to create a dialogue between fashion and the masterworks of religious art in the museum's holdings, writes Vogue. 

Celebrating the event, Rihanna covers the June 2018 issue of Vogue US, lensed by Mert & Marcus and styled by fashion editor Tonne Goodman in glittering looks from Chanel, Michael Kors Collection, Paco Rabanne and more. 

Vogue fashion news director Chioma Nnadi interviews the superstar in 'Rihanna on Body Image, Turning 30, and Staying Real -- No Matter What.' 

As Victoria's Secret struggles to maintain its position  -- not only the world's largest lingerie brand -- but one with a positive stock price, Rihanna weighs in on her new lingerie collection. “I’m not built like a Victoria’s Secret girl, and I still feel very beautiful and confident in my lingerie.” This observation is important for VS because to date, the brand has a very loyal and cash-register ringing following among women of color.  During my days with the brand, women of color were disproportionately VS customers, a much higher percent of sales than their population demographic in America. 

Rihanna tells the truth that the vast majority of American women know about our bodies -- whatever our skin color. Vogue explains:

"It should go without saying that the new line will carry a body-positive message, too. Rihanna’s lingerie models come in all shapes and sizes; they are real women with real bodies who stand as a refreshing counterpoint to the impossible supermodel dimensions that have defined the look of lingerie for decades. Like Gigi Hadid and Serena Williams, Rihanna has been the target of body-shaming internet trolls. Her public responses have been rare, but when she does brush off the haters it’s usually done with a razor-sharp dose of wit: Last summer she posted a hilarious before and after weight-loss meme of the rapper Gucci Mane, a tongue-in-cheek nod to her own fluctuations on the scale. Because what could be more sexy than a sense of humor? “You’ve just got to laugh at yourself, honestly. I mean, I know when I’m having a fat day and when I’ve lost weight. I accept all of the bodies,” she says, shrugging her shoulders.  (We repeat). “I’m not built like a Victoria’s Secret girl, and I still feel very beautiful and confident in my lingerie.”

As the former fashion director for Victoria's Secret, this is one message that VS doesn't need, because if we know one thing about Rihanna, it's that she is IN TOUCH with her generation. She's also a prominent humanitarian, women's rights and girls education activist -- besides being a superstar and in a positive, personal relationship. Consider that two of the most promising VS Angels -- Doutzen Kroes and Karlie Kloss --  left the brand. They are both 24/7 365 activist leaders -- Kloss with her commitment to girls and technology-STEM careers development, and Kroes with her global commitment to elephant conservation activism. Outside of PR-related attendance at charity events, you cannot name a VS Angel with an activist or humanitarian portfolio in her resume. Why invite controversy that could be bad for business. 

Rihanna's interview isn't only about body image and the proverbial argument around brand relationships with real-women's bodies. Rather, Rihanna shares her holistic vision around being a successful women in today's world -- and it's not only about having tight abs and a perky butt. Not even close.  ~ Anne