To fete the release of her seventh album, Unapologetic, Rihanna will be flying via Delta 777 jet to play seven concerts in seven cities in seven different countries in seven days — and Us Weekly is invited! Senior Editor Ian Drew is traveling the world with the 24-year-old superstar — plus nearly 250 members of her team, worldwide press and fans — on her landmark 777 Tour.
For all of the inside details aboard the 777, read Ian’s dispatch from day two, Thursday, Nov. 15, when the “Diamonds” singer and her crew brought down the house in Toronto and then headed to Stockholm, Sweden, for another show. Plus, check back at Us Weekly daily for exclusive tidbits, photos, and more!
Rihanna’s 777 Tour is just getting started, but it’s already rocking some people’s worlds — literally.
There was a 6.2 earthquake in Mexico City yesterday, so our plane was delayed taking off for Canada. After we arrived in Toronto this morning, everyone — Rihanna included — headed to the Sheraton Gateway hotel at the airport to catch up on sleep. Later, we reconvened at the concert venue.
Rihanna got ready for the show in her hotel room and showed up at the venue just 30 minutes before hitting the stage. At a little after 9:00, she emerged in billowy grey and black pants, a white tank top, heels, and sunglasses. The audience was totally into it.
“Toronto!” the Barbados-born stunner yelled at the crowd. “I’ve missed you. The next song is dedicated to this very moment right now.”
She then treated the audience to several tracks from her new album, Unapologetic, as well as some old favorites, including “Please Don’t Stop the Music” and “Love the Way You Lie,” a fan request.
At one point in the night, after “Man Down,” she chose someone from the audience to receive a special gift. “This gift gives you total bragging rights…Nobody has it yet — except me,” she told the crowd of the prize, which appeared to be a phone or an iPod with her album cover on it.
“You are a rock star,” Rihanna said to the girl she picked. “Thank you, Toronto, for making me feel like the only bitch in the world. I love you.”
Rihanna’s Battleship costar Brooklyn Decker took a break from filming in Toronto to join in on the fun, too. After the show, she and Rihanna hugged and started reminiscing about working together on the action flick. They were just laughing and catching up, telling stories about partying together on the press tour.
When we left the venue a little later, everyone headed to the airport. A very tired Rihanna boarded the plane at 1:30 a.m., clad in a grey Adidas sweatsuit. She had some champagne and chatted for a bit, then slept until we arrived in Stockholm, Sweden, at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at which point she headed straight to the hotel with her entourage to rest up before the show.
Next stop: Paris!
