Rihanna was reportedly miffed when the Brit Awards, the UK equivalent of the Grammys, told her to change the racy lyrics of her song for a televised performance. But the singer got even.
The 23-year-old singer was reportedly given “strict instructions” to tone down the lyrics of her song, which was broadcast on the awards show via a live feed from the O2 Arena where she was performing.
She changed the offending verse:
“Sex in the air, I don’t care
I love the smell of it.”
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But she didn’t change her racy costume, which drew howls of protest from some viewers.
Awards show producers should have known better.
She caused a similar uproar along with Christina Aguilera for over-the-top performances on the UK show, “The X Factor,” which drew a rebuke from UK censors.
Her video for the song has been banned by Britain’s national Radio 1 and by 11 other countries, because, among other things, Rihanna sucks a banana and flaunts bondage gear, according to London’s Daily Mail.
For the performance, Rihanna cast off a red cape and hood and was dressed in a tight body suit with a neckline that plunged to her naval. Check out the performance below.