Rihanna Makes Surprise Appearance at Costume Gala

Rihanna made a surprise appearance at the annual Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum gala in New York City last night, marking the first time the "Umbrella" singer has hit a red carpet since her alleged altercation with Chris Brown in February, the AP reports. The singer donned a Dolce & Gabbana suit and bowtie, and was the last celebrity to walk the red carpet; she did not speak to reporters as she entered the museum. Madonna, Kanye West and Justin Timberlake also attended the annual fashion event.

(Check out photos of Rihanna, Madonna, Kanye West, Jack White and the other stars who hit the Met costume gala red carpet.)

While Rihanna made her official return to the red carpet, her return to the stage has been delayed. According to E! Online, Rihanna has postponed her planned show in the United Arab Emirates that was scheduled for May 28th, incidentally the same day of Chris Brown's next hearing; Brown has pleaded not guilty to two felonies stemming from the February 8th incident that led to both stars canceling their Grammy appearances. "We want to share with you that Rihanna and her management will not be accepting to hold a public concert at this time as it is not appropriate timing for her," concert organizer Yassin Matbouly said, adding that he hopes to reschedule the singer for the fall.

Still, Rihanna's appearance at the Costume Institute's gala was a significant step for the young star, and a sign that she may be preparing to get back to work after she began a period of seclusion following the altercation. Rihanna's lawyer previously said that his client wants Brown's trial to end as quickly as possible so Rihanna could move on, preferably without testifying against her ex-boyfriend. Yesterday news broke that Ciara plans to keep her duet with Brown, "Turntables," on her new album Fantasy Ride, which hits stores today.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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