A while ago, I came across a picture where the Fenty star seems almost comically taller than Hayley Williams. At the time, I just chalked it up to fan humor (i.e., someone edited the photo).
Later, I saw Riri posing in heels. Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure that the first photo was edited.
So, how tall is Rihanna? Is she really that tall? She’s 5 ft. 8 in. or around 172 cm.
How does that compare to Hayley? Why did Riri look this tall? Read on for all the details!
Image source: Google
Rihanna’s Height: Above or Below Average?
It depends on what you consider the average height for a woman to be.
In the US, that would be 5 ft. 3.5 in. or so. If you go by this estimate, the iconic pop star is definitely a tall gal.
But let’s not forget that Rihanna is Barbadian. The averages in Barbados are different from those in the US.
The estimate is 5 ft. 4.2 in. in Barbados. This would also make her a tall gal, but maybe not as impressively so.
Why Rihanna Looks Taller Than She Is (Spoiler Alert: It’s Heels)
Okay, so Riri is above average, but sometimes, she looks taller than 5 ft. 8 in. Why is that?
My money would be on heels because she a. loves heels and b. looks great in them!
And you don’t have to take my word on any of that; we have proof.
Image source: Google
When designer Manolo Blahnik was discussing shoe options with Rihanna, he quickly realized the pop star really wanted heels. He told her she could still look pretty with flats, but she still wanted her heels. Of course, Blahnik had to oblige.
Side Note: I don’t think point “b” needs much proof. Just look at her Fenty heels photoshoots, and you’ll get all the evidence you could need and then some.
Rihanna vs. Hayley Williams: Memes and Plausible Explanations
Now, let’s get back to that controversial picture.
For context, the picture was taken at the 2007 MTV Total Request Live (TRL) program. At the time, Rihanna was standing with Paramore. And who’s Paramore’s lead vocalist? Yes, that would be Hayley Williams.
Hayley Williams is supposedly 5 ft. 2 in (or 157 cm). Technically, there should be a 6-inch difference. Yet, Riri is towering over Hayley, so much so that some fans said they look like a mom-and-daughter duo!
It wasn’t anything mean-hearted, though. It just seemed like fans were having fun with the height difference. Some drew inspiration from the picture and created Resident Evil fan art, with Lady Dimitrescu (rather than Riri) bending over a cartoon version of Hayley Williams.
There was also a TikTok post where the two were swapped around so Hayley towered over the ‘Umbrella’ singer.
@bby.edits.xoxo Rihanna and Hayley Williams on MTV in 2007 #rihanna #rihrih #hayleywilliams #paramore #robynfenty #mtv #2000sthrowback #rihannafenty #brickbyboringbrick #paramorefans #alliwantedwasyou #goodgirlgonebad ♬ Sampling Keshia Chante – alasskkaa
Memes and art side, you probably want to know why the size difference looks this dramatic in the TRL picture. I won’t leave you hanging; here are a few plausible explanations:
Explanation #1: Riri Is Wearing Super High Heels Under Those Jeans
In the picture, Rihanna is wearing what seems like boot-cut jeans.
Maybe those jeans are hiding a particularly high-heeled shoe? A 5.1-inch heel with a platform, perhaps?
Explanation #2: It’s a Perspective Thing
There might be something off with the perspective. The way the two artists were posing could have made Riri seem taller than she was.
Explanation #3: The picture Is Edited—Pure and Simple
Yes, Rihanna is taller than Hayley Williams, but the photo might have been manipulated to exaggerate the difference.
I have seen at least two versions of this picture, and Riri is taller in one of them. So, one of them has to be edited.
Rihanna vs. A$AP Rocky: The Vogue Cover
Hayley and Rihanna’s TRL picture wasn’t the only one that got fans wondering about height differences.
View this post on Instagram
The Fenty star’s cover for Vogue also got some attention. You know, the one where she’s posing with A$AP Rocky and their baby boy.
A$AP Rocky stands at 5 ft. 11 in. (around 180 cm).
So, he is taller than Rihanna. However, some people didn’t dig the perspective (or maybe the editing?) used in the picture.
Image source: Instagram
Final Thoughts
To recap, the ‘Barbados Babe’ is 5 ft. 8 in. tall.
If you ask me, I think there’s a mix of editing and high heels behind the Riri x Hayley debate.
What about you? What do you think is the most reasonable explanation for the height difference?
Featured image source: Google
