Sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke told Patrick Kielty on Friday's Late Late Show that her fangirl encounter with the singer Rihanna in London earlier this month was "surreal".
The Olympic athlete attended the launch of Rihanna's beauty brand Fenty Hair at Selfridges on Monday 16 September where they crossed paths and posed for photos.
Telling Late Late host Kielty about how the mutual admiration society was convened, the Tallaght woman said: "I knew that she followed me on Instagram two years ago, after the World Championships in 2022. I think she must have seen me somewhere and found me and followed me. I was like, 'Oh! Rihanna - that's so random!' and I was like, 'Should I follow her back? Should I not follow her back? Ah, I'll follow back, go on!'
"After that, her team started reaching out to me - sending me products, sending me good luck notes to my races and stuff - but I thought it was just maybe like her team, like she didn't really actually know who I was.
Two absolute ICONS! #latelate pic.twitter.com/V0Rso9BmFM
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) September 27, 2024
"Then, I got the invite to the event, and I was actually able to go this time because it wasn't during the season and stuff - that was in London two weeks ago.
"When she saw me, she couldn't believe that I was there. And I didn't realise that she would actually know who I was! Just because someone follows you on Instagram, doesn't mean they actually know who you are. She was like, 'Oh my God - it's you! I can't believe it's you! You're here!' And I was like, 'Ehhh...' (Laughs) I'm like, 'I can't believe it's you!'
"It was such a crazy moment for her to recognise me and just be actually following my journey. She actually knew who I was and was following what I do. It was surreal."
The 22-year-old said she will be back to training "lightly" on Monday as she counts down to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo next September.
"And then you're coming back on the Late Late at the end of September with the gold medal from the Worlds," predicted Kielty.
"Yeah!" she replied as they shook on it.
Passing the mic to an absolute superstar 🌟#latelate pic.twitter.com/M17Nl1l0fe
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) September 27, 2024
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