Let’s take a minute to talk about how Rihanna absolutely slayed at the 2013 American Music Awards, shall we? During the show, she accepted the AMA Icon Award from her mother Monica Braithwaite Fenty onstage.
The first-ever recipient of the award ceremony’s Icon Award took to the stage in a tuxedo-inspired dress as she was lauded for her accomplishments: 50 million albums and 180 digital tracks sold — making the then 25-year-old the bestselling digital artist and the most-watched artist on Vevo and YouTube.
Don’t miss the part of Rihanna’s speech where she says she made her mom’s life a living hell with her “annoying, little, husky man voice.” Just adorable.
Rihanna attends the 2013 American Music Awards held November 24, 2013, at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles
Rihanna kept her look simple by pairing her Jean Paul Gaultier Couture dress with barely-there sandals and a sleek hairdo.
Rihanna goofs around on the red carpet at the AMAs in a Jean Paul Gaulthier dress
Rihanna went two-for-two in Jean Paul Gaultier that evening. Earlier in the night, she was spotted wearing a more risqué and more flesh-baring dress from the designer.
Rihanna poses and shows off the lace-up corset detailing on her Jean Paul Gauthier dress
The sheer-paneled two-piece dress had lace-up corset detailing,
Rihanna poses and shows off the lace-up corset detailing on her Jean Paul Gauthier dress
Rih finished off her look with a pinned-down wraparound hairdo, a pink manicure, a diamond choker, diamond cuff bracelets, an ear full of earrings and several shiny rings.
Rihanna shows off her ample diamond jewelry and hand tattoos at the AMAs
When it came to pairing shoes with this dress, Rihanna took the simple route.
Rihanna completes her AMAs look with a pair of black Manolo Blahnik pumps
In April 2019, Rihanna honored her mother with a shoutout on Twitter. Rihanna grew up in a three-bedroom bungalow in Bridgetown, the capital and largest city of Barbados, with her mother, accountant Monica (née Braithwaite), and warehouse supervisor Ronald Fenty.
Rihanna’s parents Ronald Fenty and Monica Braithwaite arrive at Rihanna’s First Annual Diamond Ball at The Vineyard on December 11, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California
“Happy Birthday to my sweet beautiful mother,” Rihanna tweeted on April 6, 2019, sharing the same throwback pic of Monica she posted on Mother’s Day back in 2017. Her parents divorced when she was a teenager.
“Thanks for teaching me that strength, love, forgiveness, sacrifice, hard work & helping others in any way you can is what true beauty looks like,” the singer continued. “Love you & appreciate you! Thank You God for choosing this wonderful being to be my mom!”
Rihanna, her maternal grandfather Lionel Braithwaite, and her mother Monica Braithwaite attend the Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street on September 14, 2017, in New York City
Riri, who grew up with a violent father who was addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine, is very close to her paternal grandfather, Lionel Braithwaite. Originally from Guyana, he met Rihanna’s grandmother, Clara “Dolly” Braithwaite, in Barbados.
Recording artist Rihanna, her mother Monica Braithwaite, her cousin Noella Alstrom’s daughter Majesty, and her aunt attend the 2nd Annual Diamond Ball hosted by Rihanna and The Clara Lionel Foundation at The Barker Hanger on December 10, 2015, in Santa Monica, California
Her Clara Lionel charity foundation is named in honor of Monica’s parents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. Rihanna wore a classic pair of Manolo Blahnik “BB” pumps that you can buy at Nordstrom, Farfetch, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Manolo Blahnik “BB” Suede Pointy-Toe Pumps, $595
Rihanna wore a different pair of Manolos — the “Chaos Cuff” sandals — for her stage performance.
Manolo Blahnik “Chaos Cuff” Sandals, $725
Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / Apega / WENN / Ivan Nikolov / Adriana M. Barraza