Rihanna's marble statue appears at Met Gala despite her absence

Rihanna, the pop singer known for her spectacular Met Gala looks, did not attend the 2022 Met Gala due to her advanced pregnancy with rapper A$AP Rocky. However, she participated virtually in the form of a marble statue placed in the Greek and Roman galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The statue, which mimics the cover of Vogue's May issue showing Rihanna pregnant in an embroidered dress, was revealed on social media by Vogue and the Met. It is unclear whether the statue is real or a digital creation, as the Met has not shared any information about it. Vogue described Rihanna as the "highest-profile marble goddess" in an Instagram post. The Met Gala, held annually on the first Monday of May, raises funds for the Costume Institute and marks the opening of its fashion exhibition. The tradition began in 1948 under Diana Vreeland and has been organized by Anna Wintour since 1995. Rihanna's statue reportedly replaced that of Eirene, the personification of peace.