ESQUIRE: RIHANNA NAMED SEXIEST WOMAN ALIVE

>Esquire magazine has just named Rihanna the Sexiest Woman Alive in 2011.

“At the end of a concert, I don’t feel like I’ve been this sexy thing,” Rihanna says in the men’s mag’s cover story on her. “Really, I don’t even think about it.”

Her nude cover shot would seem to suggest otherwise, but she has more to discuss than her perfect bod and obvious sex appeal. The highlights:

On listening to Chris Brown’s music: “It’s incredible to see how he pulled out of it the way he did. Even when the world seemed like it was against him, you know? I really like the music he’s putting out. I’m a fan of his stuff. I’ve always been a fan. Obviously, I had some resentment toward him for a while, for obvious reasons. But I’ve put that behind me. It was taking up too much of my time. It was too much anger. I’m really excited to see the breakthrough he’s had in his career. I would never wish anything horrible for him. Never. I never have.”

On keeping her Barbadian fans happy: “I’m always representing Barbados. All over the world, no matter what I was doing, no matter what I achieved, no matter what award it was, I always shouted them out. So, I started making them feel like, ‘This is our girl. If people in the U.K. could get this excited about her, what’s wrong with us?'”

On drinking to soothe herself pre-concert: “I have to have it. I take it very seriously, so there is a level of anxiety, always. I overthink everything when it comes to my job. The drink calms my nerves. I sip it while I watch the opening act from my dressing room. Sometimes I go out into the audience. I put on a really big hoodie and sneak out there.”

RIHANNA: TEAL TEMPTRESS

Rihanna is across the pond in London, England today (August 19) where she’s launching her fragrance, Reb’l Fleur, which was released in the USA in January.

The fashionista chose an interesting outfit to mark the occasion: a feathery jade top and matching trousers. She toned things down with a pair of pointy nude heels and tame brown hair, a departure from her fire engine red ‘do of the past few months.

Before her arrival, Rihanna tweeted: “LONDON I missed you! Trapped in my car outside my hotel!!! Papz back the f*ck up!”

Meanwhile, Rihanna’s not just sitting pretty, enjoying her mega-successful career — she’s also lending a helping hand to other musical acts from Barbados.

She picked newcomers Cover Drive to support her at a show for 20,000 people in her homeland on August 5, which ensured strong notice for the newcomers.

The quartet told The Associated Press that backing up Rihanna was the best 20 minutes of their lives and they would love to have an amazing career like hers.

Cover Drive built up its own fan base by putting videos up on YouTube called the Fedora Sessions, which led to a record deal. Their debut single, Lick You Down (which means “knock you down” on the island) is being released August 28.

RIHANNA TAKES FLIGHT WITH WARM FURRY BOOTS

Rihanna was all smiles as she arrived at a small airport in Los Angeles yesterday (November 22) to take flight out of the busy city.

The Bajan-born singer has been on the go since the release of her new song and being awarded Favourite Female Artist at the American Music Awards held at the Nokia Theater over the weekend.

Rihanna must be traveling a great distance as she had many bags placed on the private plane and wore a sweatsuit with warm Uggs-like boots covered in fur.

Meanwhile, Rihanna is opening up about her fling with Drake and why the short-time couple decided to go their separate ways.

“We weren’t really sure what it was. We just went out — my friends, his friends,” she says in a new interview with MTV News. “I definitely was attracted to Drake, but I think it is what it is, like it was what it was. We didn’t want to take it any further. It was at a really fragile time in my life, so I just didn’t want to get too serious with anything or anyone at that time.”

2010 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS: RIHANNA

Rihanna received a standing ovation following her opening performance at the 2010 American Music Awards in Los Angeles today (November 21).

The sexy singer opened the performance a cappella with Love the Way You Lie Part II while perched on a stylized tree hovering above a field of sable-colored blades of grass.

After coming down from the “tree,” which was actually a glowing spiked set piece, she emerged from plumes of fog and broke into What’s My Name?

A quick costume change revealed her in a black-and-white bra top and boy shorts, her red hair twisted into tight curls as she gyrated to the beat of the calypso-tinged jam.

She belted the track solo until dancers in fringed skirts invaded the stage for a dancehall–themed breakdown.

Rihanna then kicked up the island theme, as drummers pounded away and more dancers rocking tribal-themed garb hit the stage for Only Girl in the World.

The star-packed audience rose for well-deserved a standing ovation.

2010 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS ARRIVALS: RIHANNA

Rhianna made a glamorous arrival to the 2010 American Music Awards in Los Angeles today (November 21).

The What’s My Name? singer once again reinvented her look by ditching the edgy duds and donning a rather elegant gown by Elie Saab Couture on the red carpet. Even her new red locks are now darker and curly.

Rihanna is set to open the AMAs tonight and her performance is one that is highly anticipated.

The pop star will reportedly be singing Love the Way You Lie Part II and Only Girl in the World.

Rihanna is nominated for Favourite Female Artist along with Alicia Keys.

RIHANNA DOES DAVE

Rihanna showcased the latest in fashion with a gorgeous Louis Vuitton handbag and stylish Blackberry Bold smartphone while arriving at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City today (November 16).

The What’s My Name singer was on hand to record a performance of her new single What’s My Name for tonight’s installment of the Late Show with David Letterman.

Rihanna is also due to promote her new album Loud on the American Music Awards on November 21.

Meanwhile, Rihanna has confessed she has a secret crush on Justin Bieber – after the teen hunk showed her his ripped stomach muscles in a NYC restaurant.

In a post on her Twitter account, she writes, “Justin Bieber just flashed me his abs in the middle of a restaurant! Wow! He actually had a lil 6 pack! Sexy, lol!”

And Justin was clearly happy with the compliment – he responded by posting a photo of the two stars together at the restaurant, adding: “It’s always love.”