RIHANNA ACCUSED OF COPYING PHOTOGRAPHER

Rihanna‘s S&M video caused a stir earlier this year for its sadomasochistic imagery and general boundary-pushing scenes. The only problem? The video directly cribbed from several of David LaChapelle’s photographs. Oops. Rihanna allegedly had asked various directors to create a ‘LaChapelle-esque video’ for ‘S&M’ and…had provided a story board for the video that actually included prints of some of LaChapelle’s photographs. LaChapelle filed suit against Rihanna and In October the songstress settled out of court for an undisclosed sum –she also ced another lawsuit from photographer Philipp Paulus over a scene in the same video, which was undeniably similar to an editorial he shot a year beforehand.

Now Rihanna’s under fire yet again for her latest music video, ‘You Da One’ directed by Melina Matsoukas. Observers have noticed that the part where Rihanna writhes around on the floor wearing a nude bodysuit with black dots projected onto her looks remarkably similar to one of shion photographer Solve Sundsbo’s old shion shoots for Numero 93 in 2008. Sundsbø is known for his work with shadows and manipulated light and it’s a theme he’s revisited a few times. As you can see, many of the scenes were influenced by ‘A Clockworihannark Orange’ but certain shots are strikingly similar to the editorial in question. From the shadows, to the poses–even Rihanna’s bowl cut is seemingly inspired by the one model Edita Vilkeviciute wore in Sundsbø’s shoot. Ironically, Melinda Matsouka also directed the ‘S&M’ video. Looks like Rihanna might be heading back to court soon.