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Katy Perry and Rihanna are two of the most iconic pop stars who have defined the playlists of an entire generation over the past two decades. Studying their decade-long friendship timeline becomes an interesting exercise given their unfathomable popularity. Rihanna and Katy Perry were inseparable at one point but have had their fair share of crests and troughs over the years.
In addition to having a plethora of chartbusters, both songstresses have performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. While Katy Perry broke viewership records with her animatronic lion and dancing shark costumes in the 2015 Super Bowl halftime show, Rihanna topped her best mate in 2023.
Timeline of Katy Perry and Rihanna's friendship explored
Here is a comprehensive timeline of Katy Perry and Rihanna's friendship over the years:
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2009: The two bond over a purse
Katy Perry and Rihanna's friendship started over the former raving about Rihanna's purse. Rihanna later gifted the same purse to Perry on Valentine's Day.
In an April 2012 interview with Elle Magazine, Perry said:
“She’s gorgeous, charming and so unedited it’s scary. That’s what intrigued me most when I first met her. She said it like she saw it. I trust people like that.”
September 18, 2010: Rihanna throws Katy Perry a bachelorette party
Rihanna threw Katy Perry a bachelorette party before the latter married actor/comedian Russell Brand. The party started at Las Vegas' Hard Rock Hotel Beach Club with Perry's girl pals, including Rihanna.
After that, the scene shifted to a stretched limo, which took them to Cirque Du Soleil’s KA at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino. The party climaxed at the Sapphire strip club, where Perry watched other female performers dance to her songs.
October 23, 2010: Rihanna misses Perry's wedding
Despite throwing Perry a hit bachelorette party, Rihanna could not attend her wedding with Russell Brand in India. It was because the Diamonds singer had to sign several approvals for her upcoming album Loud, leaving her with no time to attend the wedding.
In a 2010 interview with PEOPLE, Rihanna explained the reason for her absence, saying:
“I was crushed. I was really looking forward to it – but she understood, thank god. The album is coming out in two weeks, and I had to be available for a lot of approvals. We couldn’t get any phone service or Internet service out there.”
“It would have been a little bit irresponsible [to go to the wedding]. But at least she understood. And I was glad I could at least throw her [a] bachelorette party and be involved somehow,” she added.
November 6, 2012: Katy Perry opens up about her falling out with Rihanna over Chris Brown
Rihanna's reconciliation with Chris Brown at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards was reportedly disapproved by Perry, who began to distance herself from the two.
In a November 2012 interview with MTV (reported by Glamour), Perry said:
"‘We’ve had dinner and that’s about it. I didn’t reach out to her after [Rihanna got back with Chris Brown.] I think she is doing fine. I don’t know.’”
In the same article, Glamour reported that Katy Perry had described Rihanna's patching up with Chris Brown as a "huge mistake." In February 2013, Perry reportedly refused to sit with Rihanna and Chris Brown at the Grammys.
February 20, 2015: Perry gifts Rihanna a fanart on her birthday
By Rihanna's birthday in 2015, the two seemed to have forgotten their differences. Perry celebrated Rihanna's birthday by posting a fanart of the two in a passionate embrace. The Roar singer captioned it saying:
“HBD to my flawless friend @badgirlriri may I bestow this gift of beautiful fanart of us embracing with a passionate almost kiss. I hope you go to bed with all your makeup on tonight aka black out. Luh you, miss you, hope to share a yacht with you in the future bb.”
May 7, 2018: Rihanna doesn't invite Katy Perry to her Met Gala afterparty
Three years after the birthday wish, Katy Perry and Rihanna's friendship seemed more strained than ever. This was exemplified when Perry was left off the guestlist for Rihanna's Met Gala afterparty at Up&Down and when Rihanna was seemingly uncomfortable when she was forced to take a picture with Perry.
According to a report by The Sun, Rihanna was extremely uncomfortable when she had to take a photo with Katy Perry. At the same time, the latter was upset about not getting invited to Perry's afterparty. However, we don't know what happened between the two that might've resulted in such an uncomfortable situation.
May 23, 2020: New mom Rihanna is congratulated by Perry
While doing a press conference for the American Idol season 20 finale, Perry was asked if she had any message for Rihanna after her childbirth. While the American Idol judge didn't say much in terms of suggestions, she dropped a message for the Stay singer.
“So happy for her and [that] it’s the best decision that I was ever able to make. I know this time is so precious and it’s just like a gorgeous, cozy time. It’s a beautiful, magical time, so soak in all in,” she said.
Fans hope that the friendship between Katy Perry and Rihanna will continue for a long time so that both fandoms will be treated with adorable moments like they used to in the past.
