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Published:Sunday | December 3, 2017 | 12:00 AM
Rihanna
Gwen Stefani
Kelly Clarkson
Cardi B voices during a session while Rvssian (centre) and Ozuna look on.
Uma Thurman
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Street named after Rihanna in Bridgetown, Barbados

Rihanna has thanked the "community" in her hometown of Bridgetown, Barbados, after officials named a street after her.

The 29-year-old singer grew up in the country's capital Bridgetown, and in honour of her chart-topping and award-winning success, the street she lived on as a child has had its name officially changed to Rihanna Drive.

It was announced back in October that the street, which was formerly known as Westbury New Road, would have its name changed in recognition of the "local superstar", but Thursday (30.11.17) marked the official opening of the renamed road.

Rihanna attended a special ceremony in Bridgetown for the occasion and took to Instagram afterwards to share a professional snap from the event, alongside a lengthy caption in which she credited her community with making her the woman she is.

 

Great memories

 

She wrote: "a day my people and I will never forget!

"All the lessons, running around barefoot, nosey neighbours, braiding hair on the step, playing in the cemetery, walking to the beach, rum shop karaoke keeping the whole street awake til 4 a.m. ("only the lonely" by Roy Orbison is playing in my head as I type this), stealing Sammy pomegranates from his tree, begging my mother to let me walk to Jan's shop cause she had American snacks, selling plastic/glass bottles to Peter so I could buy those American snacks, getting my hair hot-combed for harvest at church, doing my homework on my front step while Miss Hyacinth yells, "Ya gon get belly hurt from dat cold step" across from her veranda, watching iFE walk past with her dreads dragging on the floor like a couture gown, all the times I thought Melissa came to hang out with me, turns out she was dating my next door neighbour all along rushing to do dishes when my mother's high heels start hitting the pavement as she gets off the bus from work ... right here on this street!

"WESTBURY is more than a community, we're family!!! Thank you for all that you've poured into my life and the woman I am! It takes a village, and I'm glad my village was you!!!! To God be the Glory!!!! #RiRiDrive (sic)"

The 'We Found Love' hitmaker also shared a picture of the new street sign, with the caption: "on any block (sic)"

Kelly Clarkson sings praises of Gwen Stefani

Kelly Clarkson has praised Gwen Stefani as an "awesome girl".

The 35-year-old singer is set to star on the US talent competition 'The Voice' in her judging debut when Season 14 kicks off next year, and she has admitted that she has already become close friends with fellow judge and Hollaback Girl hitmaker Gwen as the pair has enjoyed a "magnificent" double date with their other halves.

Kelly - who is married to Brandon Blackstock, with whom she has three-year-old daughter River and 19-month-old son Remington - said: "You know, we've already [double dated] at her house, which is magnificent. And her family was there. It's a real testament to how she's such an awesome girl - it's because of her family. Her family was super-rad and down to earth. They're really, really cool."

The Piece By Piece singer couldn't believe how "insane" Gwen's home was, and she couldn't help but feel out of place in the abode.

She added to E! News: "Her house is insane. I walked in and I literally felt like the Pretty Woman scene when you don't belong in the store. I was like, 'I have a nice house,' but [with] hers, I was like, 'Damn!'"

It isn't the first time Kelly has gushed about spending time with 48-year-old Gwen and her boyfriend Blake Shelton, who also has a spot on 'The Voice' judging panel.

She said previously: "Recently, we did get to hang at Gwen's house, which is insanely gorgeous. It was really cool. Brandon, Blake, and I, we're all southern. Gwen's a southern Cali girl, yes, but I just mean ... we're all different. I think the common denominator is that we're all very chill. We love what we do. We're just kinda all normal kids. It sounds really funny."

But Kelly wasn't so calm when she first met Gwen as she couldn't believe she was hanging out with the former No Doubt musician, who she grew up listening to.

She added: "And God, I grew up listening to Gwen, from No Doubt days. So it's just really cool. She's really sweet and down to earth. And [Blake's] sweet and down to earth. My husband's like that. We're all just kinda very chill."

Cardi B planning million-dollar wedding

Cardi B is planning on splashing out over $1 million on her wedding.

The 25-year-old hip hop star got engaged to rapper Offset in October, and they aren't looking to cut any corners when it comes to hosting the finest bash money can buy as they've slapped the whopping total on their budget.

Speaking about her big day, she said: "We're going to spend over a million."

When asked who would be footing the hefty bill, Cardi explained that while Offset has "more money" than she does, she doesn't find it "fair" to make him pay for everything, especially when she thinks her expenses will far outweigh his.

She added to UK radio station BBC Radio One: "I don't think that will be fair [to let Offset pay]. I don't like putting all that responsibility on my man. No, it's a partnership. And I feel like my expenses are going to be more expensive than his. I feel like my wedding dress itself is going to be at least $50,000 ... it's got to be extravagant. You only get married once!"

It comes after the Bodak Yellow hitmaker previously revealed that she wants her bridesmaids to wear suits at the nuptials, while everyone else will follow a red colour scheme.

She said: "The world is not ready for it. Everybody got to be wearing red. And my bridesmaids are gonna be wearing suits, what's good."

 

Lavish band

 

Offset - real name Kiari Kendrell Cephus - splashed out $550,000 on Cardi's custom engagement ring when he popped the question earlier this year.

The lavish band features an eight-carat diamond surrounded by two half-carat pear diamonds and two carats worth of other pink and white stones from Pristine Jewellers in New York City.

He popped the question to Cardi while she was on stage at Power 99's Powerhouse concert in Philadelphia in October.

Following Offset's proposal, Cardi praised the "extremely talented" 25-year-old rapper and thanked him for being an "amazing man".

She wrote at the time: "Jesus Christ I'm so emotional, @offsetyrn I loveee you so much. Thank you for seeing the potential in me since you met me. For giving me advice moulding me and loving me. Your such an amazing man to me your family, friends, kids and you are extremely talented. I can't wait to spend FOREVAAAA with you. Lets make a lot shmoney and love together (sic)."