She labelled them "Nazis" for invading her privacy, quoting a Kanye West lyric, but she's happy to court the paparazzi when it suits her and control is hers. She knows how the game works. Without the paps and the gossip pages, stars like Rihanna don't get the column inches they so cherish to ensure longevity. Pop is a fickle business - not an enduring one.
While 1D's fans had soda, there were suggestions one of Rihanna's young fans was served something stronger backstage at Vector Arena this week. Fifteen-year-old student Shannon Roberts told The Diary she was served alcohol at Rihanna's exclusive private party for VIPs and crew on Monday night.
Roberts and a teenage friend were guests of the singer - getting concert tickets, after-party passes and a private audience. They say they were served Budweiser beer at the after-party following the gig. Rihanna skipped the party but met the girls backstage later.
"Rihanna called me a rock star because I told her I was served alcohol at the Budweiser bar and I'm underage," Roberts told The Diary. "She high-fived me."
Rihanna's label, Universal, said they couldn't comment because they had little to do with the star while she was here, but touring company Live Nation said "there's a private Bud bar at each of Rihanna's shows afterwards". Brendan Hines, general manager of Vector, told The Diary he wasn't aware of minors being served alchohol at the after-party and "would look into it".
Lorde wins Ellen's praise
Lorde's meteoric rise in the American media continued this week with a lauded performance on Ellen, where host Ellen DeGeneres declared to the Kiwi: "God, I love you."
DeGeneres made a self-deprecating quip about Lorde's age. "When I was 16 my best friend was a blanket named Tammy."
Wearing an embellished sweatshirt dress, Lorde performed Royals and received a standing ovation from the audience and a big DeGeneres hug. The episode will air on TV One next Wednesday.
Gangsta rapper and It-girl
Celebrity sprog and pop artist Pebbles Hooper has a new fan - American gangsta rapper Rick Ross. Hooper, who celebrated her birthday yesterday while undergoing eye surgery, has produced a variety of illustrated artworks of famous faces including Lana Del Ray, Woody Allen, Kim Kardashian, David Duchovny ... and 37-year-old rapper Ross.
She sent Ross her illustration via Twitter and he shared it with his nearly three million followers. "I Luv Art," he tweeted in endorsement. Hooper was ecstatic. She scored 27,000 likes on Instagram in one day.
Tamihere prompts whispers
Last week's radio survey results yielded little groundbreaking news with both networks spinning their own positive picture about their commercial and talkback stations.
MediaWorks announced RadioLive increased its listeners by 14 per cent nationwide and golden boy Duncan Garner had a 141 per cent increase on his drive show.
That's a huge coup. However, Willie Jackson and John Tamihere, whose show precedes Garner's, made few gains.
Sources in radio circles say their afternoon talkback show is likely to be rejigged now Tamihere is plotting a political comeback.
RadioLive bosses told The Diary there are no immediate changes afoot, but "it's no secret John has never got politics out of his system and who knows what could happen down the track".
So, who could fill the void alongside Willie? Here are our picks:
1. Cameron Slater - He's polarising and partisan, but can cross-pollinate via his widely viewed website.
2. Linda Clark - Her school ma'am whip-cracking is TV gold, but she's unlikely to forgo Chapman Tripp responsibilities.
3. Paul Henry - If he actually liked talkback he'd be a welcome return. He's in the MediaWorks stable and his TV show is yet to have a start date, so maybe he can be persuaded.
4. Mark Sainsbury - He wants a job in media and is already a contributor to the station.
5. Grant Dalton - Does he have a job? He's certainly got plenty of opinions, mostly sporting, unfortunately.
6. Anna Guy - She's desperate to be a media star, but with a fifth kid on the way and limited views beyond motherhood and Feilding farming she's an unlikely contender.
7. Rachel Hunter - She's a bona fide media star with a big TV following. But can she make the transition to radio?
It won't happen overnight, but it could happen.
Reversal of outlook
Labour's leading political brown-noser Trevor Mallard, once a proud member of the ABC (Anyone But Cunliffe) hate club, now finds membership career-limiting and alienating. Insiders say that despite his recent demotion, he wants to stand again for Labour in Hutt South next year and has pledged his loyalty to Cunliffe as leader. Perhaps those weeks in San Francisco wining and dining on the taxpayer's purse gave Trev some perspective. Making a u-turn and backing Cunliffe was his best alternative. Everyone is entitled to change their mind - not just Sonny Bill Williams.
