Rihanna Just Took Her New Honey Blonde Hair Out on the Town

She debuted the look for a dinner date with A$AP Rocky.

rihanna at the met gala
(Image credit: Rihanna)

While there is truly so much to say about Rihanna's latest outing, I'll cut to the chase: Rihanna has blonde hair. I repeat: Rihanna has blonde hair—and it looks absolutely stellar. 

On Tuesday, October 3, the 35-year-old multi-hyphenate was spotted out and about in New York City with A$AP Rocky—and a dramatic hair change. Her signature dark hair was transformed into a honey shade of blonde. Paired with an all-black outfit (entire leg-length boots included), giant hoop earrings, and a diamond necklace, her caramel-y highlighted hair was styled on top of her head in a Pam Anderson-esque updo. The rest of her strands were twisted and secured safely at her crown, while her heavy side bang nestled behind some sunglasses.

rihanna and asap rocky out for date night

(Image credit: Getty)

While this isn’t the first time the Fenty mogul has rocked blonde hair, it’s the first time in a long, long while. In November 2009, she sported a similar color with a short, swoopy cut, eventually adding a bit of length, bleach, and even a straight bang for her “You Da One” music video in 2011. The next year, she went even longer.

Still, in recent years she’s mostly opted for hues reminiscent of her natural hair, also rocking red every so often. Last Valentine’s Day, she even added a touch of pink.

rihanna 2009

(Image credit: Getty)

It’s no secret that Rihanna likes to change things up, so there’s no telling how long the look will stick around—or why she chose it. Still, it’s worth noting that her most recent honey-haired debut fell on her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky’s, birthday. 

Rihanna rocked the look on a date to Carbone with the 35-year-old. The “L$D” singer, for his part, decked out his head in pearl-covered hair clips. That's not to say that a bedazzled accessory—even from a birthday boy—could upstage blonde RiRi.

Over the years, the stylish pair, who share two children, have been known to share their love for each other via glam. In March 2023, A$AP Rocky got a special manicure honoring Rihanna’s first Oscar nomination. Honestly, we’d do the same.

Sophia Vilensky
Freelance Writer

Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.