Top Xclusiv
Are We Finally Getting the R9 Album? Fans Read the Signs Around Rihanna
It’s been ten years since “Anti” came out in January 2016. It spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard 200. Ten years later, her fans are still waiting for R9. But this week, she gave them the clearest sign yet.
On February 26, 2026, Rihanna took to her Instagram and posted a day-in-the-life video. It started at 9 PM with a Savage X Fenty design meeting that stretched towards 2 AM. Before leaving, she turned to her team and said: “I still have to go to the studio after this. And I have to make a Mardi Gras costume for my son after the studio. Longest day ever.”
She followed through. By 2:30 AM she was inside the studio seen working at the mixing board, writing in a notebook, and chatting with her team. The session ran past 5 AM. At one point, someone in the room said “We in business, Kuk,” and Rihanna replied “Yes, let’s go.” Kuk is widely believed to refer to Kuk Harrell, the vocal producer behind her hits “Umbrella” and “Only Girl in the World”.

Photo Credit – Instagram
No music was heard in the clip. No release date was announced. But the video alone was enough to send the Navy into an overdrive.
This is not the first time she has hinted about her album. In December 2019, she posted an Instagram video of a dog dancing, captioned: “Update: me listening to R9 by myself and refusing to release it.” Then in May 2020, she told British Vogue she was “very aggressively working on music.”
But her most detailed update came in February 2025, in a cover story for Harper’s Bazaar. She addressed the long delay directly:
“Way off! There’s no genre now. That’s why I waited. Every time, I was just like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s not right. It’s not matching my growth. It’s not matching my evolution. I can’t do this. I can’t stand by this. I can’t perform this for a year on tour.’ “I’ve been in the studio the whole eight years. But it didn’t hit me. I was searching for it. I went through phases of what I wanted to do. I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects. And it’s not going to be commercial or radio digestible. It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now. I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!”
She also said: “I think music is my freedom. I just came to that realization. I just cracked the code on what I really want to do for my next body of work”.
No release date. No tracklist. No official announcement. But Rihanna is in the studio, and this time the whole world will be watching.
Top Xclusiv
Temi Otedola and Mr Eazi Expecting Their First Child
Nigerian actress and fashion influencer Temi Otedola (now Temi Ajibade) and her Afrobeats superstar husband, Mr Eazi, officially announced they are expecting their first child in a collaborative Instagram post on May 21, 2026.

Photo: Instagram/@temiotedola
The couple, who completed their three-country wedding celebration in Monaco, Dubai, and Iceland last year, first met at a music gig in 2018 before four years of dating led to Mr Eazi’s proposal in April 2022. The pregnancy marks a new milestone in their relationship.
The news followed a series of black-and-white photos posted by Temi with a caption: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart.”
The couple wore a matching white two-piece set for the shoot, and in the first photo, Mr Eazi stood behind her, gently lifting her chin while she leaned against him, revealing her baby bump.

Photo: Instagram/@temiotedola
Subsequent images are in full colour, clearly showing Temi’s outfit. Her two-piece set featured a sleeveless white tie-front vest top designed with an open center to reveal her growing bump, paired with a matching flowing maxi-length skirt. She layered the outfit with a grey knit cardigan draped off her shoulders. She wore thigh-high knit socks underneath her cowboy-inspired leather boots. Her hair was styled in an auburn low bun with face-framing waves.
This announcement brings a satisfying conclusion to months of online rumors of her pregnancy. Back in January 2026, an unverified post by an influencer on X ( formerly Twitter) shared an AI-generated image of Temi with a baby girl, claiming the couple had quietly welcomed their child. Mr Eazi dismissed the rumor with a sarcastic response: “Is Temi aware of this?”

Photo: Instagram/@temiotedola
The announcement has been met with warm reactions from family, friends and industry colleagues. DJ Cuppy took to X to share the news, writing in her caption: “My sister is pregnant. I am going to be an auntyyyy.”
Top Xclusiv
Cynthia Erivo Receives Royal Honour From Prince William at Windsor Castle
Cynthia Erivo received a royal honour for her contributions to musical arts on May 19, 2026, where she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. The award was presented to her by Prince William.
When the honor was first announced at the end of 2025, Erivo spoke about the news in a statement. She said “To be given this recognition to celebrate the work that I love to do within the arts, specifically music and drama, is an honor I could never have thought would happen. I hope it shows that I care deeply about the work and will continue to do so to the best of my abilities.”

Photo: Getty Images
For the ceremony, she wore a black Givenchy outfit by Sarah Burton, featuring a structured blazer with heavily padded shoulders and a peplum-style hem, paired with a pleated skirt. The look was styled with a cap and silver jewelry.
Erivo has won an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony, alongside multiple Oscar nominations. She became widely known for her role in “The Color Purple” in 2015, which earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. She has continued to receive major industry recognition, including a second Grammy for her performance of “Defying Gravity” alongside Ariana Grande from the Wicked soundtrack.

Photo: Getty Images
This is not her first connection with the royal family. Erivo was among a group of alumni who welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in May 2024 as part of the school’s 120th anniversary celebration.

Photo: Getty Images
The MBE is one of the United Kingdom’s recognized honours, awarded to individuals who have made notable contributions in areas such as the arts, science, public service, and charitable work. Erivo was not the only recipient at Windsor Castle. Matt Lucas and Luke Littler were also presented with an award by Prince William during the ceremony.
Top Xclusiv
Anok Yai Covers British Vogue June 2026 Issue
Supermodel Anok Yai has made a huge return to the spotlight, gracing the cover of British Vogue June 2026. Beyond being a typical fashion spread, the issue marks a comeback story for the 28-year-old Model of the Year, following her illness that almost cost her life and ultimately her career. The issue was unveiled by British Vogue on 14 May, marking a defining new chapter for the supermodel

Photo – Instagram
Anok spoke about her health in a personal interview with British Vogue’s Funmi Fetto. She revealed that she was diagnosed with life-threatening congenital lung defect last year, which demanded an urgent life-saving surgery after her major wins on the global stage. Her recovery took such a fragile turn that she believed her illustrious career was coming to an end, altering her life’s progress. “I remember I would try to walk through the Brooklyn Museum and I couldn’t even get past two rooms. I was, like, ‘My runway career is over.'”

Photo – Instagram
Instead of going solo this time, Anok made “The Summer Fantasy” theme editorial feel more personal. She featured alongside her parents, Nyibol Akuei and Kenyang Yai, in the spotlight, making it less of a high-fashion spread and more like an intimate family album. Serving as a tribute to her parents, who originally fled conflict in South Sudan and also stayed by her side throughout her medical journey.

Photo – Instagram
Anok features in the June issue wearing a variety of high-fashion looks from brands like Chanel, Bottega Veneta, and Loewe. For the striking cover, she wears a brilliant Chanel silk-knit dress selected from Matthieu Blazy’s Fall 2026 collection. The colour-rich shoot was captured by photographer Rafael Pavarotti and styled by Kate Phelan, featuring hair by Jawara W, makeup artistry by Peter Philips, and custom tailoring by Nicholas Guichard.
Other striking portraits were with her mother, Nyibol Akuei, wearing a silk dress by Emilia Wickstead, paired with leather slingbacks by Christian Louboutin. The bracelet is Nyibol’s own.
The visual direction of the shoot carries a deep layer of storytelling, an inspiration drawn from legendary painter Kerry James Marshall, favourite artist of the supermodel.

Photo – Instagram
Anok’s June issue is a celebration of resilience, family and heritage. She shared a heartfelt reflection on what surviving the past year has taught her in her caption on Instagram, “Thank you Chioma Nnadi and British Vogue, this has done so much for my family and me. Thank you for welcoming me back into fashion. Thank you Rafael Pavarotti, we always make magic together.”
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