Rihanna is drawing criticism online after being hosted for a private lunch by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s family during her visit to India, where she is expanding her Fenty Beauty footprint.
The singer and business mogul was also pictured taking part in a traditional cultural ritual, but it is her meeting with the Ambanis that has fueled accusations from some critics who labeled her a “sellout.”
The backlash comes just weeks after Rihanna made history as the first woman to surpass 200 million RIAA-certified singles, a milestone achieved without releasing a new album in nearly a decade.
Rihanna was recently in India for a special Fenty Beauty–linked visit. The singer is looking to expand the brand’s retail footprint in the country through Reliance Retail’s beauty platform, backed by the Ambani family.
During the trip, she was hosted by the Ambanis and is reported to have joined them for a private lunch, where she also took part in a traditional aarti ceremony.
In photos circulating online, the “Diamonds” hitmaker is seen holding a ceremonial tray with a lit wick, a central element of the ritual. In another moment, she bends down to feed a young cow, while separate images show her posing alongside guests and Anant Ambani.
Aarti is a significant ritual in Hinduism, in which light from a ghee- or camphor-lit wick is offered to a deity. The ceremony symbolizes gratitude, devotion, and the triumph of good over evil.
The Singer Faces ‘Sellout’ Claims Over Ambani Ties
Social media users were quick to weigh in, with much of the criticism centered on Rihanna’s association with the Ambani family.
“She’s a sellout. Any and every billionaire steps on innocent throats to get there, and now she’s making it even more apparent,” one Reddit user wrote.
“Billionaire joining in for local billionaire performative bs, more at 7,” another added, while a third commented, “I love you Rihanna, but there is no reason one person should be this rich.”
Others took issue with the broader spectacle surrounding the Ambani family, with one user noting, “I feel like every year there’s a headline about the Ambanis involving celebrities who have laid low and/or a new level of extravagance lol.”
Rihanna Made History As First Woman To Surpass 200 Million RIAA Singles Certifications
The moment comes just days after Rihanna made history as the first woman to surpass 200 million RIAA-certified singles, even as she remains on a decade-long album hiatus.
According to PEOPLE, the singer currently ranks third overall with 200.5 million units, trailing only Morgan Wallen (215 million) and Drake (277.5 million).
The singer reached the milestone without releasing a new album since her 2016 project “Anti.” In the years since, she has shifted focus toward growing her Fenty Beauty empire while building a family with A$AP Rocky.
The ‘Umbrella’ Star Teases Genre-Defying New Album
Meanwhile, Rihanna continues to hint at her long-awaited return to music, revealing in a 2025 interview with Harper’s Bazaar that she’s feeling “really good about” her next studio album.
“There’s no genre now. That’s why I waited,” she explained. “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.’”
The musician emphasized that the extended gap between releases has raised the stakes for what comes next.
“It has to count. It has to matter,” she continued. “I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre.”
Rihanna Left Shaken After Gunfire Near Home
Back in March, Rihanna was left shaken after a woman allegedly opened fire outside her Beverly Hills home.
The suspect, identified as Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, was accused of discharging a firearm near the property. Although no one was injured, sources said the incident was deeply unsettling for the singer.
“Even with a great security team in place, it’s scary to realize that something like this can still happen,” an insider said, per PEOPLE. “Rihanna heard the shots but was initially confused about what happened. She doesn’t understand why someone would target her family.”
