Rihanna recently faced a wave of criticism after a performance at the Girls Love Karaoke event in New York City, where she sang her hit “Needed Me.” Clips of the performance quickly made their way across social media, with many fans expressing disappointment over her off-key vocals. Some took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their negative reactions, with one user comparing her singing to a “pet cat,” while others simply called out the poor quality of the performance.
The backlash was swift, with speculation about Rihanna’s long musical hiatus and whether her performance was a sign of her vocal abilities declining. Many users noted that her recent absence from the music scene could be linked to the lackluster performance, fueling online chatter about her future music career. However, Rihanna’s fashion choices during the event, including an oversized fur hat, graphic Tupac shirt, and high-end Bottega Veneta boots, earned attention, though it was her vocals that became the focus of criticism.
Defenders of the singer quickly fought back, with some reminding others that karaoke is meant to be fun and not taken seriously. One fan pointed out, “Karaoke is not supposed to be taken seriously, hun that’s the whole point.” Another suggested that Rihanna might have performed in a way to discourage people from asking about her new music, given the ongoing speculation about her next project.
While some fans expressed concern about her vocal performance, others were more supportive, emphasizing Rihanna’s musical legacy and vocal strengths. One fan defended her by stating, “when people say Rihanna can’t sing i just laugh cause that’s just a huge lie.. she has a great tone, great vibrato, she makes good runs.” Rihanna’s impressive track record of 14 #1 hits and her influential style of singing were highlighted as evidence of her talent.
Despite the critiques, Rihanna’s focus seems to be on her successful ventures outside of music, particularly her fashion, makeup, and lingerie brands. However, rumors about new music continue to swirl, with reports suggesting she’s been working on an album featuring collaborations across multiple genres.
It’s clear that while Rihanna may be taking a break from music, her fans remain loyal, defending her legacy and eagerly awaiting what she might do next.
