Cover Girl: Rihanna for the May 2012 “Music” Issue of ELLE!

We know that ELLEis one of the hottest fashion magazines out there, but they certainly know how to pull off a “Women In Music” issue — which is exactly what they’re doing for the month of May!

RIHANNA is currently ruling the radio, whether on her own single or a collaboration with another top-selling artist, but music isn’t the only thing on the mind of the 24-year-old Barbadian beauty.

Next month you can catch her motion picture debut as Raikes in the Peter Berg-directed “Battleship”; the action flick based off the popular Hasbro board game.

For Rihanna’s cover — photographed by Tom Munro, Fashion Editor Joe Zee styled the newly blonde popstar in a vibrant yellow ensemble from the Spring 2012 collection by Versace.

Riri wore a gold studded belly-baring bandeau top with a matching pencil skirt and biker jacket before loading up on gold David Yurman jewelry. Laying on the necklaces, rings and bracelets have become a bit of a red carpet staple for her lately.

On her breakup with Chris Brown: “It gave me guns. I was like, well, f—k. They know more about me than I want them to know. It’s embarrassing. But that was my opening. That was my liberation, my moment of bring it. […] Now you know that, so you can say what you want about it. I don’t have anything to hide.”

On finding that man: “I feel like it’s hard for everybody! I don’t think it has anything to do with being famous. There’s just a major drought out there. […] But I just need to find the person who balances me out, because then things like my schedule won’t matter. I’ve done it before, so I know I can do it again.”

On meeting Katy Perry in 2009: “I’ll tell you, you do not find people like her in this industry. She’s gorgeous, charming, and so unedited it’s scary. That’s what intrigued me most when I first met her: She said it like she saw it. I trust people like that.”

I love this slutry shot of her in a black-trimmed white jersey dress from Emporio Armani.

Rihanna ‘talks that talk’ (see what I did there?) in a knit white crop top and pencil skirt by Jil Sander.

Dancing in the streets wearing Roberto Cavalli!

Rihanna struts in a wool and silk Dior pencil skirt paired with
a Jean Paul Gaultier bra and Gucci suede and python sandals.

On the left: Rihanna goes for a ride in a Balmain wool-blend coat. On the right: A risqué shot of Rihanna
wearing a Only Hearts by Helena Stuart rayon and lycra bralette, Fleur of England silk-blend
high-waisted boy shorts and a Maison Close stretch net skirt.

Inside the issue you’ll find Ms. Riri in this vibrant orange asymmetric mini from Atelier Versace!
You may remember seeing Elizabeth Banks rock this one for the LA premiere of “The Hunger Games”.
Take a look back!

The May 2012 issue of ELLE is on newsstands now!
For more on the issue, visit www.ELLE.com.