Most people celebrate their 30th birthdays (and mourn the end of their 20s) with too much champagne and a good cry. But most people are not Rihanna.
Bad Gal RiRi commemorated the finale of her third decade here on Earth by throwing shade at herself, rocking an ironic, confection-colored T-shirt dress that read, “I hate Rihanna,” with the subtext, “Don’t trust anyone under 30.” The singer posted a photo of the look on her Instagram story on Monday (Feb. 19) — one day before her actual 30th birthday — writing, “last day to make a bad decision and blame it on my 20s.”
“I hate Rihanna”. pic.twitter.com/y6EFA2YvqK
— Rihanna News (@TeamOfRihanna) February 19, 2018
Self-deprecation is definitely one of the hottest trends on social media (being earnest is for squares!), but Rihanna’s tee, from Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard’s 2017 exhibition titled, “The Casual Pleasure of Disappointment,” takes things to a new a level of meta self-awareness. According to Vogue, Melgaard’s show, which was done in collaboration with Babak Radboy, pokes fun at the fashion industry’s obsessions — including Rihanna. (In Rihanna’s defense, she’s earned every right to be obsessed over.)
Trending on Billboard
According to the review of last year’s show in W magazine, the tee was from Melgaard’s “Bad Dad” line, which “takes into consideration the economics of some daddy relationships and the exploitation of youth.”
“Just imagine if you’re with a younger guy for years and are just sick of hearing Rihanna all the time,” explained Radboy of the controversial phrase. “You just want to listen to the Carpenters and Dolly Parton and Diana Ross.” Other provocative pieces from the show included a faux Supreme collab (called Supreme(e)) and an orange sweatshirt reading “NOT YOUR GAY FRIEND.”
The Rihanna tee in particular is still available for purchase online for $130. Though we can’t imagine it’d look as good on anyone else as it does on RiRi herself.
Elsewhere, the Bad-gal took to Instagram to dedicate her 30th birthday to her mama in a heart-felt caption. The “Work” singer also shared an adorable baby photo of herself.
Check it out below.
This article originally appeared in The Hollywood Reporter.