Art & Style
Rihanna’s Diamond Ball Makes Grand New York Debut (PHOTOS)
Rihanna’s Diamond Ball made a grand debut in New York last night, bringing out a flock of A-list celebrities and pals to support her charitable efforts.
This was the first time the Diamond Ball was held in New York after taking place in LA for its first two galas, which was last held in 2015.
On hand at the ritzy Cipriani Wall Street in downtown Manhattan were many of Rihanna’s friends and long-time collaborators, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Leonardo DiCaprio, Calvin Harris, Gayle King, LaLa Anthony, Lil’ Kim, Future, Young Thug, Cardi B., Fabolous, Emily Ratajkowski and Kendrick Lamar, who also performed several of his hits, including “Humble,” ”Alright” and “Loyalty,” his recent collaboration with Rihanna.
The Diamond Ball benefits the Clara Lionel Foundation, an organization Rihanna founded in 2012. Named after her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, the Clara Lionel Foundation supports and funds education, health and emergency response programs around the world. The organization also engages in global advocacy to improve the quality of life of young people around the world.
The Clara Lionel Foundation was active in the relief efforts during Hurricane Harvey, being among the first responders. The organization is also developing strategies on how to best support victims of Hurricane Irma, the foundation announced at this year’s gala. In addition, the foundation has a scholarship program, and an oncology and nuclear medicine center in Barbados, Rihanna’s hometown.
Rihanna was joined by her parents and several family members at the Diamond Ball, which featured a video message from former President Barack Obama, who thanked Rihanna for the work she’s doing with the foundation.
The evening’s ceremonies were hosted by comedian Dave Chappelle, who led an auction that included such items as two tickets to the Obama Foundation Fall Summit in Chicago, a diamond necklace and a 15-liter bottle of Nebuchadnezzars champagne, signed by Jay-Z.
The auction raised more than $800,000 for the charity. The total amount of what was raised this year has yet to be announced but the Diamond Ball in previous years has raised more than $3 million for the Clara Lionel Foundation.
Photos from the 3rd Diamond Ball are below.
Beyonce and Rihanna
Jay-Z and Beyonce
Jay-Z and Rihanna
(Photos courtesy of the Clara Lionel Foundation)
Cardi B.
Lil’ Kim
LaLa Anthony
Imaan Hammam
Riley Montana
