The Met Gala is the last place you would expect to get a pep talk, especially from Rihanna. But that’s what happened to Sheinelle Jones. She attended the event to report for the Today Show. Her interview with the “Umbrella” singer took an emotional turn. Keep reading for all the details on the wholesome moment.
Rihanna Shuts Down Pregnancy Rumors
There was a lot of speculation surrounding Rihanna’s Met Gala appearance. She attended the event in a custom Maison Margiela gown with her partner, A$AP Rocky. Her form-fitting dress sparked pregnancy rumors. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time she used a major event to announce a pregnancy.
She performed the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime show in a tight red outfit, confirming she was pregnant with baby number two. Rihanna and the rapper welcomed their first child in 2022. They welcomed a third child in 2023.
Rihanna shut down online speculation that she was expecting a fourth child. “Is the baby in the womb with us?” she wrote in a comment on an Instagram post.
Sheinelle Jones Attends 2026 Met Gala
The 2026 Met Gala was controversially sponsored by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The theme for the 2026 event was “Costume Art,” with a dress code of “Fashion is Art.” Moreover, it was attended by some of the biggest celebrities, including Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Venus Williams. The iconic Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks made her first appearance at the event.
Yet, Sheinelle Jones was most excited to meet and talk to Rihanna. She opened up about the experience on the Today Show the morning after the event. Sheinelle Jones said that Rihanna’s music was like the “soundtrack” of her life. “Rihanna’s music has been there for me in so many moments. So when I saw her, I wanted to tell her that. But she was so busy pouring back into me!” she told Jenna Bush Hager on Tuesday’s show.
Today Host Sheinelle Jones Gets Heartfelt Pep Talk From Pop Singer
Rihanna embraced the Today Show host when they met up on the red carpet. “So, what was your day like today?” she asked. Sheinelle Jones has had a difficult few years after her husband was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He passed away in May 2025.
“Today was, honestly, hoping that I could meet the moment and catch somebody’s eye contact,” Sheinelle Jones told Rihanna about her day at the Met Gala. Furthermore, Rihanna responded with a pep talk to hype up the morning host.
“You deserve to be poured into, and you’re beautiful, and you’re a Black journalist, and I respect you. I love you for this,” Rihanna said.
“By the way your outfit is f**king fire,” the “We Found Love” singer added. Sheinelle Jones attended the event in a custom Lafayette 148 gown designed by Emily Smith with 1,000 Swarovski crystals.
The interaction with Rihanna was just what Sheinelle Jones needed to hear. The wholesome moment went viral. Share your reaction in the comments.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
