Viral footage has shown the moment an unsuspecting protestor realizes he is chatting to Rihanna at Monday's Stop Asian Hate march in New York City.
Here's the full story...
Now, it's no secret that, in the past year, there has been a spike in racially motivated hate crimes against the American-Asian community.
Anti-Asian hate crimes are up 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University.
But, after the devastating shootings in Atlanta, in which 8 Asian people were killed...
Large protests have been taking place all over the country in order to raise awareness about the ongoing issue.
And, of course, it didn't take long for celebrities to start using their platforms to speak out against the issue of Asian hate crimes.
From Demi Lovato to Scott Evans, to well-known fashion brands, people have been doing their best to eradicate the unnecessary hate aimed towards East and Southeast Asian communities.
And now, Rihanna has also joined the ranks.
On Monday, the thirty-three-year-old singer and beauty mogul stepped out onto the streets of New York along with thousands of others in order to protest against the attacks.
Rihanna was joined by her assistant, Tina Truong, who is of Asian descent.
Since footage of her marching alongside hundreds of other protestors went viral, people have been commending them both for being so hands-on at the protest.
She isn’t afraid to take to the streets about causes she’s into. Gotta love her.
— Teddy (@Thunda_munk) April 5, 2021
This is why I love @rihanna ! 💖💖
— _itsmeAbesh_ 🇳🇵 (@_Basanta_) April 6, 2021
Go RiRi
— chinell bethea (@Chottywhop11) April 5, 2021
Gosh..I love this babe 😩❤️❤️❤️😂
— CelebrityNaya🧚💋 (@MercifulNaya) April 6, 2021
Thank you @rihanna for using your platform ❤️❤️❤️ #StopAAPIHate #AAPI
— Yvonne (@iHeartcaliocean) April 6, 2021
Yet another reason to ♥️ Rihanna.
— Atse (@atse12345) April 7, 2021
Thank you @rihanna for supporting us! You are awesome we needed support. #StopAsianHate
— Kathy (@KatBabez) April 5, 2021
Okay Rihanna showing up at the Stop Asian Hate protest in NYC makes my heart 😩💗
— june (@pearlzncloudz) April 6, 2021
Not me logging in at 2AM to rewatch that Rihanna Asian protest video 😭
— Emelda (@ThembelihleJula) April 6, 2021
RiRi made sure she was equipped for the event, turning up with hand-made signs to hold.
.@Rihanna attended a #StopAsianHate march in New York City with her assistant, Tina Truong. pic.twitter.com/gpNHqBg53T
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 5, 2021
Not only that, but she had a full disguise on so she was able to walk alongside fans without drawing attention to herself.
Well, her disguise was that good, some people didn't recognize her...
Rihanna spotted at the the #StopAsianHate protest in NYC 👏🏾
— Boombuzz Kenya (@BoombuzzKE) April 5, 2021
pic.twitter.com/vYOw7Gqs1c
Even after speaking with her directly.
On Tina's Instagram Stories, a fan was seen chatting with the heavily-masked pop star...
And could be seen offering her phone to type her in Instagram handle, clearly oblivious to who he was speaking with.
Rihanna could then be seen typing in her handle for him with bent fingers...
Noting casually, "I have nails," in reference to her long acrylics.
And, when her official "badgalriri" Instagram page appears...
The young man, clearly dumbfounded, exclaims:
"That's you?!"
Rihanna can be heard laughing as the young man stands quietly, evidently in shock at what had just unfolded.
Rihanna giving her Instagram handle to protesters at the #StopAsianHate march in NYC. pic.twitter.com/3g4uG7PPs3
— Rihanna News (@TeamOfRihanna) April 5, 2021
You can watch the incredible moment for yourself above.
Never change, RiRi.