Rihanna 'Stay' Music Video: Bares All in Sexy Official Video [WATCH]
Not since Britney Spears video for her song Everytime has a pop star's bathing rituals made for such a memorable music video. While Spears' music video is more plot driven, there isn't a whole lot that happens in Rihanna's Stay, but according to MTV News, there are a lot of things said.
The simple visual approach matches the equally somber ballad, which shows the pop star take off her clothes and climb into the bathtub and for much of the clip, Rihanna remains in the tub. While the water covers her entire body, the shadow of her figure underneath the water leaves little to the imagination for viewers.
When the music video Stay isn't focused on Rihanna, it cuts to her collaborator on the track, singer/songwriter Mikky Ekko. Although the song is a duet, they are never seen together in the video but instead share a strong connection through ongoing phone conversations.
Rihanna has earned rave reviews from critics for her stripped down approach to Stay at this year's Grammy awards ceremony on Sunday night. Wearing a long, black slip dress, she received a standing ovation from much of the crowd that night, including her on-again beau Chris Brown.
Stay is a follow-up to the video for Diamonds. While Diamonds, which was directed by Anthony Mandler, focused on quick, intense shots in order to weave its story together, Stay is all about lingering moments, according to MTV News. The last image that you see is of Rihanna's face with her eyes closed and soaking it all in.
Stay was directed by Sophie Muller, marking the director's first collaboration with the pop star. Muller has previously directed music video clips for artists like Beyoncé, Pink, No Doubt and Annie Lennox.
In addition to the official video, Rihanna also dropped an "uncut" version of the raw video, according to MTV News. In it, Ekko never makes an appearance but instead it shows footage of the pop star alone in the tub.
What did you think of Rihanna's Stay video? Share your thoughts!
