Rihanna Questioned Over ‘Sexy Nun’ Magazine Cover, Compared to Lil Nas X Dressing Up as 'Jesus'

Rihanna is currently being criticized and questioned for dressing up as a seductive nun on the cover of the newest issue of Interview Magazine.

While many still tried to defend the star, claiming she was expressing herself artistically and no offense was meant, many questioned why she had to join the many other artists who have dressed similarly to provoke Christians.

Rihanna Provokes With "Sexy Nun" Magazine Cover 

When the photos featuring the 36-year-old singer donning a black and white habit, a customary outfit worn by adherents of religious orders, circulated, admirers and detractors of the star descended upon the comment section to express their disapproval of the chosen outfit and expression. 

Many social media users accused the actress of disrespecting Christians and Catholics after seeing the provocative image of her, in which she wore an undone Dior top that revealed her cleavage and a little cross tattooed on her face.

Some even dared she does the same using a hijab, claiming Muslims will not be as forgiving. 

ALSO READ: Rihanna Doesn't 'Have the Songs' For New Album But Is Working on Visuals

They said she is not the first to do this, and they are already tired of artists thinking this is okay."So tired with all this unholy imagery!!!!" one wrote

Another said all these fall under "religious mockery."

One more said, "I love Rihanna but I never understand why the obsession with sexualizing religious representations."

"Isn't this blasphemy??" another questioned the photo.

Others explained that they felt it was "dehumanizing and degrading to see Christianity being continuously mocked" and "religious imagery being used for the wrong purposes.

ALSO READ: Rihanna Reflects on Defying Expectations, Career Amid Talks of Nicki Minaj Collab

"Ultimately, most of her fans wondered why "out of all the fashion in the world," the Fenty Beauty founder  did not know better and instead "chose to mock a religion." 

Rihanna Compared to Lil Nas X  

Some took to social media to compare Rihanna's photos to Lil Nas X's earlier this year, and the latter also received countless criticisms. 

Some said the negative comments against Rihanna is not the same as the level that Lil Nas X experienced. Some Riri fans said the two are simply not the same. 

To recall, Nas encountered a barrage of critical remarks following the publication of a video in which he appears to be dressed as Jesus and consumes communion bread and wine from a chalice.

He did the same for his "J Christ" music video.

Unlike Rihanna, however, he immediately tried to explain himself. He even said that he is not likely to be the last artist to dress up as a Christian figure.

He is right.

"I didn't mean to mock. This wasn't a 'Fuck you to you people. Fuck you to the Christians.' It was not that. It was 'I'm back like Jesus,'" Nas said then. "I'm not the first person to dress up as Jesus. I'm not the first rapper, I'm not the first artist, and I won't be the last." 

It remains to be seen if Rihanna will explain. The whole Interview magazine feature of Rihanna can be accessed here. 

READ MORE: Rihanna New Hairstyle: Singer Gives Fans a Trip Down Memory Lane With Blonde Pixie Cut