Rihanna Is the New Grace Kelly

Rihanna might go by @badgalriri on Instagram, but those who know her seem to think otherwise. What if we told you she’s more like Grace Kelly? Those tats, her piercings, the bikini shots and boy drama—don’t they scream Princess of Monaco? In an interview with The Telegraph, Balmain designer Oliver Rousteing declared the singer to be “like a new Grace Kelly,” explaining that “she has this aura, this charisma, it’s not sexual, it’s something else.” Comparing Rihanna to Grace Kelly—an actual princess, the epitome of polish, sophistication, and that “old school charm”—might sound like a stretch. But Rousteing’s not the only one drawing such a comparison.

In a recent interview, designer Manolo Blahnik also mentioned – unprompted – Rihanna’s likeness to Grace Kelly. Blahnik sat with the singer at the British Fashion Awards and immediately noted the resemblance. “She looks like Grace Kelly,” he said, “she’s just so beautiful, so polite – she’s not the person you see in interviews.” The designer also concedes that although he hates tattoos, he makes an exception for the Barbadian beauty. At 72, Blahnik is not necessarily the target market for Rihanna’s music and image, making his comparison all the ore striking. After all, if anyone’s met a lot of Grace Kelly-types, it’s Blahnik.

Looking beyond the sartorial aspects of the two women, it’s not difficult to see their similarities, both classical beauties with captivating personalities. Kelly might even have had the same rebellious spirit as Rihanna, as she defied her father’s wishes, who thought acting to be “a slim cut above being a streetwalker,” in order to pursue her dreams. Once again, a good reminder not to judge a book by its cover.

More from Yahoo Style:
Related: Rihanna Is the New Creative Director of Puma

Rihanna Wins Legal Battle Against Topshop
Steal Her Style – Rihanna