Rhasidat Adeleke has put in a lot of 'work, work, work, work, work, work' and now it's time to play as she got a coveted invite to Rihanna's party in London this week. The Irish sprinter is reaping all the rewards of a post-Olympics season as she attended the launch of Fenty Hair at Selfridges on Monday, with the 22-year-old reporting that she had 'such a fun evening'. She even got to hang out with Rihanna but it was a fan-girl moment for Barbadian singer when she met Rhasidat as she revealed she's been following her Olympic journey! A clip of the pair meeting for the first time, shows Rihanna looking totally in shock as she covers her mouth when she recognises Rhasidat, saying: 'Are you kidding me?! I follow you!' She then pulls Rhasidat in for a hug as they pose for the camera and Rihanna can't keep the smile off her face.
Rhasidat was pretty awe-struck at meeting Rihanna too, as she shared some pictures of the moment, writing: Fan girl moment meeting @badgalriri. 'Such an inspiration [and] forever breaking barriers in the industry. My younger self would’ve never thought that Rihanna would be following me [and] my journey!
It was a change for Rhasidat from her usual athletics attire as she looked ultra glamorous off the track, wearing a double denim outfit with a matching jacket and mini skirt. She completed the look with a pair of strappy silver heels, star-shaped diamond earrings, a silver watch and rings and a black Balenciaga clutch bag. The sprinter also changed up her hair from her usual long locks and trademark white ribbon seen at the Olympics as she rocked a shoulder-length bob.
Rihanna arrived at the Fenty Hair launch wearing a cream Bouclé coat but took it off to reveal a tan, ruffle dress. There were other well-known Irish faces at the event including Love Island star Dami Hope who attended with his girlfriend Indiyah.
Rhasidat's invite to the party comes after a fourth-place finish for her in the women’s 400m final in the Paris Olympics, narrowly missing out on a medal. Speaking after the race, a disappointed Rhasidat said: 'Things aren’t always going to go your way but it's about how you bounce back and how you take this and make your future better.
'I am going to take this hurt and disappointment and keep working. I’m as hungry as ever and hopefully, in the future, there’ll be more podiums.'
For now though, enjoy the off-season, Rhasidat!
Rihanna was seemingly "the one fangirling" as she embraced Rhasidat Adeleke at an event in London. Olympic hero Adeleke was attending Rihanna's Fenty Hair launch - and the scenes caught on video made for wholesome viewing. The Tallaght track star admitted it was a 'fan girl moment' as she posted the meeting on Instagram. She said: "Fan girl moment meeting @badgalriri Such an inspiration and forever breaking barriers in the industry." "My younger self would've never thought that Rihanna would be following me and my journey!" Rihanna is clearly excited to meet the sporting star as the pair embraced after meeting for the first time as well as posing for photos. And social media users joked that Rihanna was even more delighted to meet Rhasidat than the other way around. One user said: "No Rhi is a fan of YOU." While another said: "Not ri ri fangirling over you Omd." And another is adding: "Rihanna is the one fan girling."
Adeleke signed off her 400 m season at the weekend with a third-place finish in Brussels. The Ireland track star came agonisingly close to medals in the 400m individuals and 4x400 Women's relay at the Olympic Games.
