Rihanna says new Savage X Fenty show is ‘obnoxious’ amid Johnny Depp uproar
Johnny Depp is starring in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show. (Getty)
Rihanna has said that her upcoming Savage X Fenty Vol. 4 show is “the show to beat”, amid a wave of criticism over Johnny Depp appearing in its line-up.
Leaked images emerged last week showing Depp taking to the catwalk, appearing to confirm his role in the show, which will be released on Amazon Prime Video on Wednesday (9 November).
In an interview with People, Rihanna said that the show is “obnoxious” and that she is “looking forward” to people seeing it.
“It is on a scale unlike anything we’ve ever done. It’s huge,” she added.
The star is yet to address the uproar surrounding Johnny Depp’s role in the Savage X Fenty show. It comes after his vicious defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, which concluded earlier this year.
Depp won his defamation case against Heard, which centred on an op-ed she wrote in 2018 describing herself as a victim of abuse. Heard didn’t mention Depp by name in the piece, but a jury found that she had defamed him.
Heard also won a partial victory, with the jury finding she was defamed by one of Depp’s lawyers.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard were embroiled in a controversial legal battle earlier this year. (Getty/JIM WATSON)
Heard, who was ordered to pay more than $10 million in damages after losing the case, has said that she will appeal the verdict.
Depp lost an earlier libel case against The Sun in 2020, regarding an article in which he was referred to as a “wife beater”. The trial’s judge Mr Justice Nicol said that the newspaper had proved its reporting was “substantially true”.
After news of Depp’s casting in the Savage X Fenty show hit social media, many people voiced confusion and anger at the decision. Years and Years singer Olly Alexander, a known Rihanna megafan, tweeted that he “won’t be wearing [Savage X Fenty] anymore”.
Rihanna also told People that the show was the first “real thing” she’s done since giving birth to a baby boy in May, with boyfriend A$AP Rocky.
She will star in the “Mother Nature section” of the show, while LGBTQ+ stars including Drag Race alumni Kornbead, YouTuber Lilly Singh, and model Cara Delevingne will appear alongside her.
The show will feature Rihanna’s brand new Savage X Fenty collection.
“I love seeing new bodies, new silhouettes, new personalities, new characters, new energies,” she said. “I just enjoy seeing people celebrate their body, celebrate who they are — and they just happen to be wearing Savage. That’s exciting.”
