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Rihanna, Marilyn Monroe Art: Singer Spends $160K on Portrait of Sex Icon

Posted on Jan 30th 2012 10:30AM by Contessa Gayles
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Rihanna Marilyn MunroeGustavo Caballero, Getty Images for Ciroc Vodka

It's no surprise Rihanna idolizes Marilyn Monroe -- like the Hollywood starlette, Ri is just as well known for her sexy image. Now, the Bajan babe has taken her admiration of the late icon to a whole new level buy spending big bucks on a crystal encrusted portrait of the movie star.

Rihanna has added to her growing art collection after shelling out a staggering $160,000 for a portrait of Ms. Monroe made of 65,000 Swarovski crystals. Now that's a lot of bling! Not only did Ri purchase the piece, but she actually commissioned its creation from British artist Claire Milner.

The custom artwork took four months to complete and weighs a whopping 182 pounds. Good luck hanging that up on your wall, RiRi! Milner described the work for her celeb commissioner to Britain's The Sun. "A 100 percent Swarovski crystal portrait is very luxurious -- people stand and stare because it constantly changes color, sending rainbows round the room."

The artist continued, "I tried to show the glitter of the public life and then the sadness in Marilyn's eyes." We wouldn't be surprised if the paparazzi-plagued Rihanna somehow felt connected to Marylin in that respect as well.

Milner also admitted that having one of the world's biggest pop stars as a boss had its challenges. "Because of who Rihanna is, everything had to be done through her interior decorators. But they told me afterward that she loved it," she revealed.

The 23-year-old singer has reportedly spent a fortune decorating her Los Angeles home, which features a gun-shaped chandelier and a "reggae room" featuring a tribute painting to another one of her idols -- Bob Marley.

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M i X e d S i n gL e

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January 31 2012 at 10:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
starswithnolight

I don't care what she spends her money on but she has become a huge disappointment. There is a huge line between being sexy and being downright vulgar nasty trash. I know she needs to feel all empowered by herself and she doesn't owe anything to anyone, but for common decency to the fact that millions of girls and young women watch what she does, she could try to have a little class.

January 30 2012 at 3:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
koriyab91

It's her money, let her buy what she wants, she earned it. If I made as much money as her I'd by something that I really wanted no matter the cost. Another thing, I get so sick and tired of people saying feed animals, help animals; there will be a cold day in hell before I fed an animal before I did a person.

January 30 2012 at 3:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Beautifultulip01

how awful there are starving people in the world and the country you come from is poor what a waste your money and you

January 30 2012 at 3:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LadyBug3308

Shootrcurt you're an idiot. Why would you say that you're tired of hearing about Rihanna but you're here not only reading an article about her but commenting too. Smh

January 30 2012 at 2:18 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Pia Ash

This bitch turned out not what I expected her to be. Using an incident in which she lied to get her fame. The white media went along with everything this bitch did. Could at the time the mainstream see through this no talent ass? I know her people told her that talent don't get fame but selling sex will. I really really really really wish she would go the fuc* away. Everytime I open up my computer there is this no talent bitch somewhere on the screen.

January 30 2012 at 1:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Shootrcurt

what a loser! Help animals or something. I wish they would stop talking about her, she makes me sick.

January 30 2012 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
msrdrummer1964

Another "artist" making tons of money without any real talent. Maybe this fraud called Rhianna should listen to someone like Anita Baker or Karen Carpenter to see what a truly talented artist sounds like. Rhianna is simply a fraud who got lucky. Sad part is, she probably thinks she's a great singer!! LOL

January 30 2012 at 12:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to msrdrummer1964's comment
LadyBug3308

Damn msrdrummer1964, you act as if Rihanna owes you something?! Being jealous or green with envy is not a good look.

January 30 2012 at 2:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sgtpepper9094

I know it's her money but that money could have spend on important things.

January 30 2012 at 11:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to sgtpepper9094's comment
bennett388

Like feeding a few starving homeless people!

January 30 2012 at 2:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Phoenix Lee

some like it snot a good movie for her

January 30 2012 at 11:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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