Ooh na na, what’s her name?
Fans took to Twitter to critique Jimmy Kimmel’s pronunciation of Rihanna’s name Sunday night in the course of the Oscars 2023 telecast — but was he unsuitable?
Throughout the show, Kimmel was heard introducing the primary time nominee as “Rih-Ann-uh,” which didn’t sit right with a number of the “Bad Girl” icon’s fans.
As per usual, rabid social media watchdogs promptly logged onto to Twitter to snap at this yr’s Oscars host for mispronouncing the pop superstar’s name.
“I shall be haunted by Jimmy Kimmel’s pronunciation of ‘Rihanna,’” @hannahkritz complained.
“Why is Jimmy Kimmel pronouncing Rihanna like he’s from Canada?” @billburton sniped.
“Why does Jimmy Kimmel say Rihanna like that? Or have I been saying it unsuitable for like a decade?” @JLrube questioned.
Nevertheless, it seems Kimmel was actually using the correct pronunciation of the Barbadian musician’s name.
“Jimmy Kimmel pronounces Rihanna like he’s from Nigeria. Which may actually even be the proper technique to say it,” @ParacelsusII noted.
“Shoutout to Jimmy Kimmel for being just like the first person to pronounce Rihanna’s name accurately,” @ShenaeCurry said.
“Take heed to Jimmy Kimmel pronouncing Rihanna’s name *accurately.* @AndySwift tweeted.
The singer has previously clarified way back in 2010 that her name is accurately pronounced “Rih-Ann-uh” — even though it’s still not the best way lots of her fans say it.
Rihanna was invited to this yr’s ninety fifth annual Academy Awards ceremony after being nominated for her performance of “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Endlessly.”
Kimmel gave a shout out to the celebrity in his opening monologue joking in regards to the length of the awards show and Rihanna’s infant son.
“Last month she performed on the Super Bowl and tonight Rihanna shall be acting at our half-time in nearly 4 and a half hours from now,” he quipped.
“Rihanna has a 9-month-old backstage. He’s very cute.” The TV host added, “He pooped during rehearsal. You recognize who the last person was to poop backstage on the Oscars? The accountant that mixed up the enveloped.”
Later within the show, Rihanna performed “Lift Me Up” as a touching tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who starred because the Black Panther before passing away from colon cancer on August 28, 2020.
The song didn’t win the Oscar — “RRR’s” song “Naatu Naatu” won — however the “Black Panther” sequel did bring home a number of, awards including best costume design which made Ruth E. Carter the primary black woman to win two Oscars and the primary designer to win for each an original film and its sequel.
