PARIS Olympics star Rhasidat Adeleke relived her “surreal” encounter with pop icon Rihanna during tonight’s Late Late Show.
The European Athletics Championships gold medallist attended the launch of Rihanna’s beauty brand Fenty Hair at Selfridges in London on 16 September, where they crossed paths and posed for photos.
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Two absolute ICONS! #latelate pic.twitter.com/V0Rso9BmFM
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) September 27, 2024
Adeleke presumed it would be a one-sided interaction. But much to her surprise, the fangirling came from both directions.
The Olympian said: “I knew that she followed me on Instagram two years ago, after the World Championships in 2022.
“I think she must have seen me somewhere and found me and followed me.
“I was like, ‘Oh! Rihanna – that’s so random!’ and I was like, ‘Should I follow her back? Should I not follow her back? Ah, I’ll follow back, go on!’
“After that, her team started reaching out to me – sending me products, sending me good luck notes to my races and stuff.
“But I thought it was just maybe like her team, like she didn’t really actually know who I was.
“Then I got the invite to the event and I was actually able to go this time because it wasn’t during the season and stuff – that was in London two weeks ago.
“When she saw me, she couldn’t believe that I was there.
“And I didn’t realise that she would actually know who I was!
“Just because someone follows you on Instagram, doesn’t mean they actually know who you are.
“She was like, ‘Oh my God – it’s you! I can’t believe it’s you! You’re here!
“And I was like, ‘Ehhh…’ (Laughs) I’m like, ‘I can’t believe it’s you!’
“It was such a crazy moment for her to recognise me and just be actually following my journey.
“She actually knew who I was and was following what I do. It was surreal.”
