HE IS a teetotal Christian farmer and a member of the Democratic Unionist Party; she is a global RB superstar, known for her raunchy outfits and raunchier dance routines.
Alan Graham came across Rihanna (23) in one of his fields, near Bangor in Co Down, while driving his tractor. She was recording a video for We Found Love with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, ahead of three sell-out shows at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast this weekend. She is due to appear at the 02 in Dublin next Monday. Although Mr Graham had given permission for the singer to film in his barley field, he was surprised to find her in a state of partial undress on Monday. He admitted he had no idea who the singer was when he allowed the film crew to use his land.
Rihanna has caused controversy in the past: the video for her single SM featured bondage and blow-up dolls, and was banned in 11 countries. This recent occasion was tame by comparison: she was wearing a red strapless bandanna-style bikini under a shirt and jeans, and was later photographed topless in the field. But it was still too much for Mr Graham, who intervened and asked the star to cover herself up. “I thought it was inappropriate. I requested them to stop and they did,” he said.
The DUP alderman, a father of four, said that Rihanna took it well. “From my point of view, it was my land, I have an ethos and I felt it was inappropriate. She understood where I was coming from. We shook hands and parted company on good terms.” However, Mr Graham did suggest that Rihanna and her entourage might want to “acquaint themselves with a greater God”.
The field itself is located just off the busy A2 dual carriageway between Belfast and the seaside town of Bangor. The close proximity of a Presbyterian church and a barn with a Bible verse painted on its side might have given Rihanna’s film crew a clue to the ethos of the area.
While Rihanna’s attire, or the lack of it, was not to Mr Graham’s taste, others felt differently. Word of the singer’s unexpected appearance spread and hundreds of people gathered, filming the event on their mobile phones. Traffic slowed almost to a standstill as drivers craned their necks to get a glimpse.
Yesterday, Rihanna was filming in the New Lodge area of north Belfast, the scene of riots in recent years. So far, there have been no further complaints.