Getty Images
On "Talk That Talk" -- prefaced by a tiny slice of "Birthday Cake" -- RiRi and her crew completely transformed the SNL stage, turning the familiar Grand Central Station set into a glitzy black widow's nest. As strobes flashed and her live band brought the electro-rock menace, the Bajan singer danced in front of a giant spiderweb, looking mean in an all-black -- thigh-high boots, hot pants, mesh shirt and baseball cap -- ensemble.
"Where Have You Been" had an ancient Middle Eastern, Egyptian-style vibe, and appropriately, Rihanna played the queen. She started the song on a leopard-skin-covered couch, where slaves fanned her with feathers, and then moved to the foreground for a dance routine arguably more impressive than her vocal performance.
SNL hadn't seen so many pairs of genie pants since Hammer hosted back in '91. No wonder Rihanna looked so preoccupied earlier this week.
Watch Rihanna Perform "Where Have You Been" on SNL
See Rihanna in Our "Coachella 2012's Sexiest Moments" Gallery
- Rihanna and Katy Perry
- Kimbra
- Lea Michele
- Azealia Banks
- Ke$ha
- Fergie and Josh Duhamel
- Vanessa Hudgens
- Rihanna
- 50 Cent
- Lindsay Lohan
- Azealia Banks and Florence Welch
- Fashion Designer Alexander Wang
- Wiz Khalifa
- Nero
- Paris Hilton
- Dr. Dre
- Katy Perry and Rihanna
- Rihanna Black Hair
- Rihanna
- Rihanna
- Rihanna
- Rihanna
- Nicki Minaj in Asia
- Disappointing Album Covers
- Missy Elliott, 'Da Real World'
- Foxy Brown, 'Chyna Doll'
- 50 Cent, 'The Massacre'
- R. Kelly, 'R. Kelly'
- E-40, 'In a Major Way'
- Drake, 'Take Care'
- Tyrese, '2000 Watts'
- Chris Brown, 'Exclusive'
- Lil Wayne, 'Lights Out'
- Ciara, 'Evolution'
- Lucky Artists
- 10. Christina Milian
- 9. John Legend
- 8. T-Pain
- 7. Ashanti
- 6. Ja Rule
- 5. Pitbull
- 4. Cassie
- 3. DMX
- 2. Lil Wayne
- 1. Lil' Kim
- Drake and Rihanna Shoot 'Take Care' Video
- Drake and Rihanna
- Rihanna
- Drake
- Drake and Rihanna
Watch Rihanna's "You Da One"
Suny
Taylor Swift Dominates at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
Tim McGraw's 'Superstar Summer Night' Special to Air May 19
Tim McGraw Stops Atlanta Show to Help Ailing Fan
Carrie Underwood 'Goats' Hunter Hayes With Blown Away Tour Prank
Jennifer Hudson Performs 'Inseparable' With 'American Idol' Winner Candice Glover
PHOTOS: Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction
Blake Shelton Will Return for Season 5 of 'The Voice'
PHOTOS: This Is The Best Response To Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries We've Seen Yet
Beyonce Releases New Anthem, 'Grown Woman'
Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Miguel and Fan Are 'Okay' After Crazy Kick at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
Oklahoma Senators Face Difficult Options On Disaster Relief
Stone Temple Pilots Tap Linkin Park's Chester Bennington as New Singer
JODI ARIAS WANTS LIFE
Trace Adkins Named Winner of 'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice'
WATCH: Mom's Emotional Reunion With Son After Tornado
Police END Search For Susan Powell
CBS Pulls 'Mike & Molly' Tornado-Set Finale
WATCH: Tornado Victim Finds Dog During CBS Interview
PHOTOS: Tornado Devastates Moore, Oklahoma
PHOTOS: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc On Central U.S.
PHOTOS:Eva Longoria's Almost Wardrobe Malfunction At Cannes
Grossed Out Student Finds "Worm" In His McMuffin
Who Won 'DWTS'?
LOOK: The 14 Most Endangered Heritage Sites In Europe
LOOK: Kid Knows Exactly Where She Stands
Justin Bieber BOOED While Accepting Award
Guess Who?
Mila Kunis And Ashton Kutcher Put Their Romance On Display
15 Incredible Cat Photobombs
Student Expelled, Charged With Felonies For Same-Sex Relationship
Stefon Marries Anderson Cooper In Final Show
LOOK: Dolphins Make Rare Underwater Find
1 Comment