Naomi Campbell responds to Rihanna feud rumors after viral New York Fashion Week video

Naomi Campbell has responded to rumors surrounding her and Rihanna after a viral video from New York Fashion Week sparked speculation.

In conversation with The New York TimesThe 54-year-old international supermodel dismissed the riff rumors, noting that she “wouldn't let the world pit two black women against each other.”

“We are two women with two children, mothers,” she said of the 36-year-old “Diamonds” singer in the article published on September 21st.

Campbell's comments come after a viral publication video featured the two fashion moguls at the Alaïa Spring 2025 show on September 6, as fans argued that Campbell and Rihanna “hated” each other.

In videos posted to TikTok and

Rihanna – who wore a barely-there, shimmery outfit that included a long scarf and strapless top – was filmed walking up to a man sitting next to Campbell and greeting him. The two hugged while Campbell looked up at Rihanna as if trying to get her attention.

However, instead of hugging Campbell or Law Roach, who was sitting on the other side of the British supermodel, Rihanna went off to find her own seat, leading internet viewers to assume she was deliberately ignoring them both.

“Naomi Campbell and Rihanna really hate each other,” one X user wrote, while another pointed out, “The way they looked at her in awe or waiting for her approval.”

A third said: “That was cold. I felt the tension through my phone.”

To make matters worse, Campbell and Roach posted an Instagram video together after the fashion show that people assumed was throwing shade at the “Stay” artist. The two style icons followed suit with the “very low-key, very mindful” trend coined by influencer Jools Lebron, with a sarcastic statement about “what they don't do at fashion shows.”

“We don’t go to shows like the other girls,” Roach noted. “We don’t come with our Ta-Tas or Chi-Chis.”

Internet users believed that Campbell and Roach subtly ignored Rihanna's barely visible look at the Alaïa presentation. “If you all are mad that she ignored you, just say so. Very cute,” one Instagram user commented.

A second said: “Oh you wanted Rihanna to acknowledge you so much I get it.”

“Oh, the shadow, darling,” one man remarked.

Most recently, Campbell made headlines with her foundation Fashion for Relief. A recent investigation into the charity, which was founded in 2015, found mismanagement of funds – which led to Campbell being subsequently suspended from the board of trustees for five years.

The misconduct included using charity funds for personal expenses, such as Campbell's stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes, France, as well as cigarettes, spa treatments and room service at the facility.