It’s no debate that Rihanna stole the show at the Met Gala 2025 with her baby bump! The internet was in shambles after her fashion looks before, during, and after the red carpet confirmed she’s pregnant with baby number three. But that’s not the only moment that gagged her fanbase on Monday night (May 5). Fourteen years after shading each other on X (formerly Twitter), Rihanna and Ciara surprised their supporters with a sweet reunion captured in photos!
Last night, Ciara and Russell Wilson arrived on the Met Gala red carpet ahead of Rihanna, who came independently of A$AP Rocky. CiCi opted for a LaQuan Smith look, while RiRi pulled off a Marc Jacobs one. Both ladies ate the carpet up, and at some point after entering the gala venue, they ran into each other! Now, it’s unclear what was said between them when they met. However, if we let the photos tell it, there appeared to be great energy all around. The now-viral flicks show the women cheesing while Ciara’s hand rested on Rihanna’s baby bump.
Here’s What Happened 14 Years Ago
The photos quickly became a trending topic between Rihanna and Ciara’s fans. Their 2011 Twitter (now called X) beef was widely reported then, and is STILL remembered as one of Rihanna’s shadiest clapbacks ever! Their music careers took off around the same time in the mid-2000s. The ladies seemed to be friendly at first, posing with one another at events like the 52nd Grammy Awards in Janaury 2010.
Then came February 2011, and Ciara’s appearance on E!’s ‘Fashion Police.’ While appearing in the segment, Ciara told Joan Rivers that she had run into Rihanna at a party and that she “wasn’t the nicest.”
What made CiCi feel that way is unclear, but Rih was not here for the slander. She clapped back at Ciara via Twitter, writing, “My bad Ci, did I 4get to tip u?” CiCi was ready for the smoke though, replying, “Trust me Rihanna, u don’t wanna see me on or off the stage.” Rather than let it end there, Rih went in for the kill: “Good luc booking that stage u speak of.”
As of Monday night (May 5), the shady exchange was still live on their X profiles. However, it’s worth noting that the singers’ “beef” didn’t last long. Fourteen years ago, Rihanna apologized first, and Ciara accepted.
“Ciara baby, I love u girl! U hurt my feelings real bad on TV! I’m heartbroken! That’s y l retaliated this way! So sorry! #letsmakeup,” the ‘Diamonds’ singer tweeted. Ciara replied, “Rhi u know its always been love since day 1! Doing shows/everything. you threw me off in that party! Apology accepted. Let’s chat in person.”
It’s unclear when that in-person chat happened, but the women are still seemingly vibing — and we’re here for it!
(L-R) Jeff Goldblum, Met Gala Co-Chair, A$AP Rocky, Russell Wilson, Ciara and Rihanna attend the 2025 Met Gala on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
Grown & Glowing: Social Media Reacts To Link-Up
In The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section, over 8,000 roommates weighed in on Rihanna and Ciara’s linkup! Keep scrolling to see what they said, and a preview at the energy X users have behind sweet photos.
IG user @iamsheriep wrote, “And she let her touch the belly! They’re more than ok! This is beautiful!”
“I love this! Happy and grown ,” @durandbernarr said.
“Grown Folk Stuff. Happy to see this,” @tiggaswagga wrote.
@ksgant added, “We love mature queens full of growth! ”
“Unity is always strength. Blessed unity to them both . Happy mothers . Grown women .happy women . I love this,” @safiyashoetique commented.
“No look at those smiles, that’s friends. You can tell they buried this forever ago, this is just the first time *we’ve* seen it,” @sub_masc_bttm said.
@meteo_rite commented, “Full circle .”
EVERYONE BE QUIET THIS IS A MOMENT IN HISTORY RIGHT NOW RIHANNA AND CIARA HAVE LINKED UP pic.twitter.com/EnbFzqAetc
If you weren’t on twitter back in its prime you wouldn’t understand how significant it is seeing Ciara & Rihanna in a photo together!!pic.twitter.com/FUGU1BM9Ez
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I love this,” @safiyashoetique commented.
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