Entertainment
She celebrated her birthday with friends, family, and rumoured boyfriend Hassan Jameel
Updated : Feb 21, 2018, 05:03 PM IST
Nine-time-Grammy-winner Rihanna celebrated her 30th birthday on Tuesday by paying a heartfelt homage to her mother, Monica Braithwaite.
Along with a throwback picture from her childhood, the 'Umbrella' singer wrote an emotional message on social media.
"10958 days ago @monica_fenty became a mother for the first time to her only daughter! Today is just as much your birthday as it is mine! I love you mom!,"RiRi wrote.
"Thank you for carrying me, birthing me, raising me, supporting me, teaching me, and loving me unconditionally! The woman I am today is because of everything that you are! I thank God for perfectly hand picking you to be my mother when He sent my spirit to you! You are the greatest! Thank you!" she added.
A string of the pop icon's friends, including Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Seacrest, Bruno Mars, DJ Khaled, sent her warm birthday wishes.
Happy birthday, @Rihanna! I hope it shines bright like a diamond and makes you feel like you’re the only girl in the world. Go on and take a bow.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) February 20, 2018
Happy bday to an icon who’s done it all! Take the werk werk werk werk werk werk load off today @rihanna pic.twitter.com/vZVwvvQ7PH
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) February 20, 2018
Oooohhhh word?!?!? I’m playing her whole album in her honor! Happy birthday @rihanna https://t.co/Vu6uRU8iLZ
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) February 20, 2018
But a birthday wish from her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown had the Twitterverse talking. Brown posted an image of Rihanna, when she was a wee toddler, on his Instagram account with a simple caption that read, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY @badgalriri"
The post riled up Twitterati who remembered Chris Brown assaulting Rihanna in a rented car on the eve of Grammy Awards in 2009.
The couple was together for a year before the incident took place. According to a Billboard report, Brown was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats.
He pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge and accepted a plea deal that included five years probation, six months of community service and one year of mandatory domestic violence counselling; a judge also instituted a five-year restraining order that required Brown to say at least 50 yards away from Rihanna at all time.
Social media reacted in support of Rihanna.
Imagine getting beat up by your bf and your mom says "he just wants to say happy birthday" pic.twitter.com/5YV2ilVMoU
— Janáe, No Aiko (@Saymynae) February 20, 2018
Chris Brown fans really want us to forgive his woman beating ass. Domestic abuse ISNT a mistake it’s a CONSCIOUS choice. Rihanna going back to him didn’t excuse his behavior as most domestic abuse victims do it continuously. He was cancelled after that & always will be.
— cici (@melaninporn) February 12, 2018
Chris Brown wished Rihanna happy birthday on insta pic.twitter.com/BHZlve3D43
— (@witnessmatt) February 20, 2018
Chris Brown is that ex that don’t know how to let go
— j. (@youloveejocelyn) February 20, 2018
Away from this chatter, Rihanna celebrated her milestone 30th birthday in New York City with family, friends like Paris Hilton and Toni Braxton, and rumoured boyfriend Hassan Jameel.