As the bad girl of hip hop, Rihanna is no stranger to relationship scandals and sexy little secrets. While she’s made some terrible choices with men (some of whom are real jerks), she said something very wise during an interview with Miranda July from the New York Times Magazine.
‘Guys need attention,’ she explained. ‘They need that nourishment, that little stroke of the ego that gets them by every now and then. I’ll give it to my family, I’ll give it to my work — but I will not give it to a man right now.’ I said that it took me a long time to find a guy who wasn’t threatened by my power, and Rihanna quietly replied, ‘I’m still in that time.’
Now we’re well into 2016, and it doesn’t look like things have changed. But let’s take a walk down memory lane and check out her past boyfriends, which features a range of characters from Titanic heartthrobs to Formula 1 racers.
2006
Jay Z
RiRi began her musical career by recording demo tapes for Evan Rogers in 2003. But she ultimately scored a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning for Jay Z, who was president and hip-hop producer at the time.
After working together on several projects, Rihanna and Jay Z were rumored to be developing a romance (naturally). They both denied the rumors, but it’s no surprise that RiRi and Beyonce won’t be best friends anytime soon.
2007
Shia LaBeouf
From Jay Z to, ummm, Shia LaBeouf is quite the stretch in taste. Don’t get me wrong, Shia has a comedic bone like no one else, but I see him more with Emma Stone than The Queen of Barbados.
So this fact had me scratching my head: Rihanna and Shia were spotted out to eat in Beverly Hills in 2007.
Since then, the two have admitted that they were in fact on a date, but the spark just wasn’t there.
2007 – 2013
Chris Brown
If there’s one song that encapsulates RiRi and Chris Brown’s relationship, it would be Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie.” When Rihanna and Chris first started dating, they seemed almost too good to be true. Which, unfortunately, turned out to be exactly the case. After a 2009 pre-Grammy party, the two got into a heated argument that ended with a violent attack on Rihanna. Since then, the duo have stayed in the public eye handling restraining orders, plea bargains, and even a couple of musical collaborations, making it the most f*cked up relationship…like, ever.
2007
Josh Hartnett
The 29-year-old actor and producer and the 19-year-old singer made quite a cute couple on stage. However, during an interview shortly after, Rihanna dismissed any existing rumors.
2010
Matt Kemp
In 2010, RiRi got tired of singers and actors and decided to take a swing at baseball players. She even openly gushed about her feelings for Los Angeles Dodgers’ center fielder, Matt Kemp. Why do good things always come to an end? In 2011, Rihanna announced that the two were over.
2011 – 2012
Ryan Phillippe
After Rihanna’s former relationships went south, she was reportedly having tons of secret rendezvous with the 36-year-old star of Cruel Intentions. In the end, nothing serious ever came from it.
2012 – 2013
J.R. Smith
In 2012, RiRi and J.R Smith dated for about a year, but the real drama happened after the breakup. Rihanna made a comment on Instagram about his poor performance on the court, blaming his postseason struggles on being “hungover from clubbing every night during the playoffs.” He then fired back with an Instagram post mocking his ex-girlfriend. Looks like celebs aren’t too different from us after all.
2010 – 2014
Drake
This is one light switch romance, on and off all the time. The two have been the source of gossip, music collaborations, and the occasional Drake—Chris Brown fist fight. They officially ended things in May 2014 after a major blowout. But the sparks just might rekindle after all that #WORK flame.
2015
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leo and RiRi, what a surprise. After ringing in 2015 together, rumors that Rihanna and Leonardo are a pair have been hitting the press like a tidal wave. The two were even seen getting close and personal at her birthday party. Awww, but what about Kate?
2015
Karim Benzema
The Real Madrid soccer player Karim Benzema hopped onto RiRi’s hot list after the two first connected on Twitter in 2015.
“It’s taken a long time for the relationship to get off the ground but she says that’s what makes it so special,” a friend told Look magazine, “He’s the first guy she’s actually gotten to know before diving in head first. She’s been telling people she’s never experienced anything like this in her life and that she trusts him like her best friend.”
The romance was short-lived though, Karim moved on with Axel Witsel’s ex-girlfriend.
2015
Lewis Hamilton
The Formula 1 star has been linked with RiRi ever since they were spotted flirting at the 2015 Crop Over Festival in Barbados. “Rihanna and Lewis had a nice little getaway in Barbados. Rihanna also spent time with her friends and family but Lewis was the only romantic interest on her mind,” a source told E! News.
But Queen Ri isn’t going to settle down with anyone just yet.
2015
Travis Scott
Travis Scott and RiRi were seen together on multiple occasions during New York Fashion Week. An insider told E! News that “Travis and Rihanna are dating, officially.” The source went on to say that “it’s already very serious. He’s very into her.” So, is it serious with Scott? It’s hard to say.
But even if things don’t work out, as Rihanna tops the Hot 100 for the eighth week, the hiphop superstar has a lot to celebrate for. It’s okay, if “men” isn’t one of them.
2017
Hassan Jameel
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Hassan Jameel and Rihanna were seen making out in a pool in Spain. Jameel is the heir to Toyota and has a net worth of $1.5 billion. Until he inherits Toyota he is the deputy president and vice chairman of his family’s business Abdul Latif, which is one of the biggest companies int he world. Supposedly Jameel is Naomi Campbell’s ex and has started a feud between the supermodel and singer. But who cares about friendship’s when he’s hot and rich.
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2018
Rihana is dating Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel who belong to one of the richest families in the world.
2019
Billionaire Boyfriend Hassan Jameel is still dating singer Rihana; they were seen last together at a Malibu restaurant together in December 2018.