We’re still a long ways away from the days of a Rihanna biopic going into production, but it’s never a bad idea to plan ahead.
E! News caught up with Ri while on the red carpet at her Fenty Hair launch event Monday (June 10), and asked the beauty mogul who she’d like to see take on the role of Bad Gal RiRi.
“Taylor Russell,” she said in approval of the 29-year-old Canadian actress before pointing to a specific physical feature. “You know why? Because she’s got, like, a nice forehead.”
Rihanna continued: “She’s, like, fly. And I feel like I want to be her, so I want her to pretend to be me. I want people to see me in that light.”
Russell has yet to publicly react to Rihanna crowning her as the one with the prestigious honor. The actress is best known for starring in A24’s Waves as well as Bones and All.
Fans were worried a biopic could be arriving sooner than later after Rihanna was spotted rocking an “I’m Retired” shirt, but the nine-time Grammy winner calmed the Navy down when explaining to Extra that it was just purely a fashion statement.
“That was just me looking into the future. I’m not retired. I just like that dress. I got it as a gift and I loved it,” she said. “They didn’t read the second line, I’m not retired, I’m just retired from dressing up – it’s a lot of effort.”
There was even an album update. Rihanna explained that she’s starting over, and is prepared to get back in the studio and finally begin recording for R9. “Yeah, I’m starting over,” RiRi declared to Entertainment Tonight. “But I don’t want to neglect the songs that I have, so I actually want to go back and listen to stuff with new ears, with my new perspective and then see what applies and what I’m still in love with.”