By Lauryne Akoth
Talk of an incredible rate card! Singer, songwriter, and business mogul Rihanna, has been making waves all over social media after accepting an invitation to perform at a lavish -Indian pre-wedding ceremony with a payout of about $9M, roughly Kshs 1.3 billion.
Rihanna accepted an invite to perform at the pre-wedding of Anant Ambani, son of India’s wealthiest man Mukesh Ambani, and his bride-to-be Radhika Merchant. The pre-wedding is a 3-day event that kicked off on 1st March 2024 and is set to conclude on 3rd March.
The event has generated a buzz online for several reasons, including the influential guest list, and the status of the Ambani family. Mukesh Ambani is ranked the wealthiest man in India and Asia with a net worth of 116.8billion USD.
The nearly 1200 high-profile guest list consists of global influential figures including Bollywood stars, Hollywood stars, business moguls, and top government officials from various countries. The Indian media published photos of guests including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Also expected to arrive for the ceremony taking place at Jamnagar Gujarat India include Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump, Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Bhutan’s Queen Jetsun Pema, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, and Saudi Aramco chairperson Yasir Al Rumayyan.
Invitations were also extended to Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, World Economic Forum chairperson Klaus Schwab, former president of Bolivia Jorge Quiroga, and former PM of Australia Kevin Rudd.
The pop icon arrived in India on 29th February with her troupe. She went viral for arriving with massive luggage which prompted a fan to joke about her bringing a folding house to which Rihanna wittily replied,” The stage could not fit my carry-on.” An exchange that contributed to the ongoing buzz.
As reported by Indian media, Anant and Radhika’s pre-wedding celebration is anticipated to surpass the record set by Mukesh Ambani’s $100 million wedding for his daughter Isha Ambani in 2018. During Isha Ambani’s wedding, it is noted that approximately $4 million was paid to Beyoncé for her performance.
Rihanna’s performance yesterday would be her first live performance in India. She entertained guests with beautiful renditions of songs from her extensive catalog including Diamonds, Wild Thoughts, work, Better Have My Money, umbrella, and Pour It Up.
Videos circulating on social media capture her captivated in a lively fluorescent green bodycon dress embellished with glitter, while the artist electrifies the stage with unmatched energy and dance moves.
Rihanna’s remarkable performance marks her second live appearance since the Super Bowl, following a musical hiatus.
Anant and Radhika’s wedding will take place in July this year.