Zendaya Visits Rihanna Days Before Due Date — But It Was What She Left on the Kitchen Table That Made Headlines 🍵📖
Rihanna, the Barbadian superstar and Fenty mogul, is no stranger to making headlines, whether through her music, fashion, or growing family. As she approaches the birth of her third child with A$AP Rocky, announced at the 2025 Met Gala, a surprise visit from Zendaya, her longtime friend and admirer, has set the internet ablaze. The visit, which took place at Rihanna’s Los Angeles home just days before her due date in late 2025, was a private moment of sisterhood. But it was an unexpected item Zendaya left on Rihanna’s kitchen table—a heartfelt gift—that sparked a frenzy among fans and made global headlines.
A Bond Forged in Admiration
The friendship between Rihanna and Zendaya has been a beacon of mutual respect in Hollywood. Their connection dates back years, notably highlighted at the 2017 Met Gala when Rihanna shared Zendaya’s Dolce & Gabbana look on Instagram, captioning it “Brown goddess.” Zendaya’s ecstatic response on Snapchat—“This is NOT A DRILL. THIS IS REAL”—captured her fangirl moment, cementing their bond as one of genuine admiration. Since then, the two have shared moments of support, from Zendaya praising Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty show in a 2020 Essence interview to their shared commitment to uplifting Black women in entertainment.
With Rihanna expecting her third child, Zendaya’s visit was a quiet gesture of solidarity. Sources say the Euphoria star arrived at Rihanna’s sprawling LA mansion, dressed casually in a Daya by Zendaya tracksuit, carrying a small gift bag. The visit, kept under wraps to avoid paparazzi, was a chance for the two to catch up before Rihanna’s life changes again. With sons RZA (born 2022) and Riot (born 2023) running around, and A$AP Rocky preparing for fatherhood once more, the moment was intimate yet monumental, reflecting their shared journey as cultural icons.
The Kitchen Table Surprise
The visit took a surprising turn when Zendaya left a gift on Rihanna’s kitchen table, discovered after she departed. The item: a hand-bound journal, embossed with the Fenty logo and adorned with Barbadian-inspired motifs like hibiscus flowers and waves. Inside, Zendaya had written a heartfelt note: “For RiRi, my forever inspiration. Write your story, for you and your babies. Love, Z.” Tucked within the journal’s pages were pressed flowers from Barbados, sourced from a local artisan, and a single Polaroid of the two women laughing together at the 2017 Met Gala, a nod to their history.
The journal’s significance lies in its personal touch. Rihanna, who has been open about her journey through motherhood and the loss of her father, Ronald Fenty, in May 2025, reportedly teared up upon finding it. The gift aligns with Zendaya’s thoughtful nature, seen in her work with charities like Convoy of Hope and her advocacy for authentic storytelling. The journal’s design also echoes Rihanna’s Fenty aesthetic, blending luxury with cultural pride, much like her 2025 Met Gala look—a custom Marc Jacobs suit that showcased her baby bump.
Fans on X went wild when a photo of the journal, snapped by a friend and leaked online, surfaced. “Zendaya leaving a journal for Rihanna’s baby stories? I’m SOBBING 🍵📖,” one user posted. Another wrote, “Z giving RiRi a place to write her legacy is peak sisterhood. Protect them at all costs.” The emojis 🍵📖 trended alongside the story, symbolizing the tea-spilling buzz and the literary gift. The journal’s presence on the kitchen table—a space Rihanna has called the “heart of the home” in Vogue—added an intimate layer, making it a headline-making moment.
A Sisterhood That Inspires
The visit and gift highlight the deep bond between Rihanna and Zendaya, two women who’ve navigated fame while staying true to their roots. Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty have redefined inclusivity, while Zendaya’s roles in Challengers and Euphoria showcase her as a trailblazer for complex, authentic characters. Their friendship, free of industry rivalry, resonates with fans craving genuine connections. “Seeing Black women uplift each other like this? It’s everything,” one X user posted, echoing the sentiment from Zendaya’s 2020 Essence comments about Rihanna’s impact.
The timing of the visit, days before Rihanna’s due date, added emotional weight. Rihanna’s third pregnancy, following RZA and Riot, has been a journey of joy and healing, especially after her father’s passing. Zendaya, fresh off her 2025 Golden Globes appearance where she sparked engagement rumors with Tom Holland, brought a grounded energy to the visit. Sources say the two discussed motherhood, creativity, and their hopes for the future, with Zendaya sharing stories of her Challengers press tour and Rihanna teasing her long-awaited R9 album.
A Cultural Moment
The journal’s symbolism extends beyond the personal. By incorporating Barbadian elements, it reflects Rihanna’s pride in her heritage, seen in her 2025 Met Gala look and her ambassadorial role for Barbados. Zendaya’s choice of a journal also nods to her own storytelling passion, evident in her producing Malcolm & Marie and advocating for diverse narratives. The gift’s leak sparked a broader conversation about legacy, with fans on X speculating that Rihanna might use the journal to pen lyrics or a memoir, especially given her hint to HotNewHipHop about R9 drawing from her family life.
The headlines also underscore the power of Black women supporting each other. Like Beyoncé’s quilt gift in a rumored baby blessing ceremony, Zendaya’s journal is a tangible symbol of sisterhood. It’s a contrast to the competitive narratives often pushed in Hollywood, aligning with Rihanna and Zendaya’s history of mutual praise, from the 2017 Met Gala to Zendaya’s Vogue cover with her family. The kitchen table setting, a universal symbol of connection, amplified the story’s relatability, making it a cultural touchstone.
What’s Next for Rihanna and Zendaya
As Rihanna prepares for her third child, expected imminently in 2025, the journal gift has fans eager for what’s next. Her R9 album, teased by A$AP Rocky, could incorporate the emotional depth of this moment, perhaps with tracks inspired by the journal’s pages. Her Fenty brands continue to thrive, with a new maternity line gaining traction post-Met Gala. Zendaya, meanwhile, is riding high from Challengers and her 2025 Met Gala look—a white Louis Vuitton suit that reignited her “hat theory” memes—while preparing for Euphoria season three.
The kitchen table journal, with its pressed flowers and Polaroid, is more than a gift—it’s a testament to Rihanna and Zendaya’s shared legacy. As fans await Rihanna’s baby and Zendaya’s next career move, this moment of sisterhood, captured in a simple yet profound act, reminds us why they’re icons. From Barbados to Hollywood, their story continues to inspire, one headline at a time.
