Rihanna has hailed Princess Diana as a "stylish Gangsta", who has become the singer's biggest fashion influence.
The 'Umbrella' hitmaker made her astonishing revelation just months after she was dubbed "the new Diana" by a leading feminist.
The Barbadian popstar, sporting a new short curly hairstyle and striking a defiant pose on the cover of US magazine, Glamour, claimed that the Princess of Wales was a true fashion queen, the Daily Star reported.
American feminist writer Camille Paglia, 66, sparked controversy this year by branding Rihanna the new Princess Diana because both shared a "ravishingly seductive flirtation" with the press.
She said Diana and the singer were both adept at using every photo opportunity to convey "allure, defiance or revenge.