The story of Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather is one of the most fascinating celebrity friendships in modern pop culture. Although they come from completely different worlds—Rihanna, the Barbadian music superstar and business mogul, and Floyd “Money” Mayweather, the undefeated boxing champion—they have shared several unforgettable public moments that continue to trend online in 2026.
From the legendary BET Awards 2015 duct tape prank to courtside appearances at NBA games and years of dating speculation, Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather have remained a popular topic across social media and entertainment news. If you’re searching for Rihanna Floyd Mayweather BET Awards, Rihanna tapes Floyd Mayweather’s mouth, Are Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather friends?, or the latest 2026 update, this complete guide covers everything you need to know.
Who Are Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather?
Understanding why Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather attract so much attention starts with appreciating their individual success.
Rihanna, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is a Barbadian singer, entrepreneur, actress, and fashion icon. She has sold millions of records worldwide with global hits including Umbrella, Diamonds, We Found Love, and Bitch Better Have My Money. Beyond music, she built one of the world’s most successful celebrity business empires through Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, and Fenty Skin. By 2026, Rihanna is widely recognised as one of the richest female entertainers in the world and continues to balance business ventures with motherhood and occasional music projects.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., famously known as “Money Mayweather,” is regarded as one of boxing’s greatest champions. He retired with a flawless 50-0 professional record, defeating elite opponents such as Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Álvarez, and Conor McGregor. Throughout his career, he generated more than $1.2 billion in career earnings and remains active through exhibition boxing events and business investments.
Whenever Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather appear together, it represents the meeting of two global icons from music, fashion, business, and sport. That combination explains why every photo or video featuring them quickly attracts millions of views.
The Viral BET Awards 2015 Moment That Broke the Internet
The most memorable chapter in the story of Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather took place during the BET Awards on 28 June 2015.
Both celebrities were seated together in the front row. Rihanna attended as a nominee for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, while Mayweather had recently defeated Manny Pacquiao, extending his unbeaten record to 48-0 at the time.
During a light-hearted moment, Rihanna surprised everyone by pulling out a roll of duct tape and playfully placing it over Mayweather’s mouth. She even pretended to tie his hands, creating one of the funniest celebrity moments of the evening.
The playful stunt was widely interpreted as a humorous reference to her hit single Bitch Better Have My Money and Mayweather’s famous “Money” nickname.
Videos of the interaction quickly spread across social media platforms.
Entertainment outlets including Entertainment Tonight and NDTV reported on the viral moment, while thousands of fans praised Rihanna’s sense of humour. Many online users joked that only Rihanna could silence the world’s most outspoken boxing champion.
Even today, anyone searching Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather will almost certainly encounter this unforgettable BET Awards clip.
Are Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather Friends?
Despite years of rumours, Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather have consistently appeared to share a genuine friendship built on mutual admiration rather than rivalry.
One of their earliest public appearances together came during NBA All-Star Weekend 2015, when photographers captured them enjoying All-Star Saturday Night at the Barclays Center.
Over the years, they have also been spotted:
- Watching NBA games courtside
- Attending exclusive Hollywood events
- Socialising within celebrity circles that include Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and other entertainment figures
Their shared interest in sports, entertainment, and business has helped maintain their friendly relationship over the years.
Mayweather has frequently praised Rihanna’s achievements, referring to her as talented, beautiful, and a successful businesswoman. Likewise, Rihanna has occasionally shown support for Mayweather’s boxing career, helping fuel public curiosity about their connection.
While they are not regularly seen together, their occasional appearances continue to generate significant media attention.
Dating Rumours: Did Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather Ever Date?
One of the most frequently searched questions surrounding Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather concerns whether they were ever romantically involved.
The speculation largely originated because both celebrities were among the world’s most recognisable stars and displayed comfortable chemistry whenever they appeared together publicly.
Adding to the rumours, an older interview resurfaced online in which Floyd Mayweather admitted that he would enjoy taking Rihanna on a date, describing her as someone he admired.
The clip gained renewed popularity across social media and sports websites, leading many fans to believe there might have been something more than friendship.
However, no credible evidence has ever confirmed that Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather were in a romantic relationship.
By 2026:
- Rihanna remains publicly associated with A$AP Rocky, with whom she shares two children.
- Mayweather has never publicly confirmed dating Rihanna.
Most entertainment reporters agree that their relationship has always been based on friendship, playful interactions, and mutual respect rather than romance.
Net Worth, Influence and Why They Continue to Trend in 2026
Another reason Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather remain popular online is their extraordinary financial success.
Estimated Wealth in 2026
| Celebrity | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Rihanna | Approximately $1.7 billion |
| Floyd Mayweather | Around $450–500 million |
| Combined Wealth | More than $2.2 billion |
Rihanna’s fortune has largely been built through Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, and other successful business ventures.
Meanwhile, Mayweather continues earning through exhibition boxing matches, promotional events, investments, and his long-established personal brand.
Because both celebrities represent success beyond their original careers, their appearances together are often viewed as meetings between two global business icons rather than simply a singer and an athlete.
2026 Update: What Happened After the Viral Moments?
Although Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather have maintained a relatively low public profile together since 2015, interest in their friendship remains strong.
Several developments have kept fans talking:
- The famous BET Awards duct tape clip experienced another wave of popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms in 2022 and beyond.
- Rihanna has continued expanding her fashion and beauty businesses while balancing family life and occasional music releases.
- Mayweather has remained active through international exhibition boxing events and business ventures.
- Reports from 2026 indicate both attended high-profile events such as the Met Gala after-party and Paris Fashion Week, although they were not photographed together.
Fans continue hoping for a future collaboration, with popular suggestions including:
- Rihanna performing during one of Mayweather’s exhibition events.
- Mayweather appearing in a Fenty advertising campaign.
- A joint charity initiative combining sport, fashion, and entertainment.
As of 2026, no official collaboration has been announced, but interest in the duo remains as strong as ever.
Final Thoughts: Why Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather Remain Pop Culture Icons
The story of Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather perfectly demonstrates how two global superstars from different industries can create unforgettable cultural moments without ever collaborating professionally or becoming a couple.
Their playful interaction at the BET Awards 2015, memorable NBA courtside appearances, and years of mutual respect have ensured that their friendship remains one of the internet’s favourite celebrity stories. The combination of humour, success, fashion, sport, and genuine admiration continues to capture fans’ attention more than a decade later.
Whether people revisit the viral duct tape prank or simply admire the achievements of two highly successful individuals, Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather continue to prove that authentic friendships can become just as memorable as blockbuster collaborations. Their story remains a lasting example of how pop culture and sport can intersect in unexpected and entertaining ways.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather friends?
Yes. They have been seen together at public events, including the BET Awards and NBA All-Star Weekend, and are widely regarded as friends.
2. Why did Rihanna tape Floyd Mayweather’s mouth shut?
At the 2015 BET Awards, Rihanna playfully placed duct tape over Mayweather’s mouth as a humorous moment that quickly went viral.
3. Did Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather ever date?
No confirmed romantic relationship has ever been reported. Most evidence indicates they have shared a friendly relationship rather than a romance.
4. Why do Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather still trend in 2026?
Their memorable viral moments, celebrity status, enormous business success, and enduring friendship continue to attract attention online.
5. Have Rihanna and Floyd Mayweather worked together professionally?
As of 2026, they have not collaborated on music, business, or entertainment projects, although fans continue to speculate about possible future partnerships.