WATCH: Drake Finally Publicly Declares Love For Rihanna, Shares Awkward Neck Nuzzle

Image by VMAs

By Thea Glassman August 29, 2016

Drake gave the most swoon-inducing speech about Rihanna last night at the VMA’s—and our hearts are still recovering.

There has always been whispers of dating rumors about the two artists, but things were made official when Mr. Champagne Papi himself presented Rihanna with the Vanguard Award (the VMA equivalent of a Lifetime Achievement award) and—finally!—declared his love for her.

“The first time I met Robyn Fenty [Rihanna] was in 2005,” he said. “The song was Pon de Replay and the director of the video was Little X. I was introduced to her as the kid who played background music at the restaurant as people ate at their dinner. It’s hard to believe that 11 years later all three of us would come together to create the visual for a song called Work.”

He went on to call her “iconic” and “captivating,” pointing to her chart-topping songs, sold-out concerts and unique take on fashion.

But most importantly, the rapper noted, is that Rihanna always stays true to herself.

“This woman has surpassed all competition by still being the same girl from Barbados,” he said. “Surrounded by the same friends, speaking with the same accent.”

And then…jackpot.

“She’s someone who I’ve loved since I was 22-years-old.” Drake said, before handing over the award and kind of going in for a kiss turned passionate neck nuzzle.

Watch the whole speech in its lovely gushiness below:

Thea Glassman is a Multimedia Fellow at the Forward. Reach her at glassman@forward.com or follow her on Twitter at @theakglassman.

Thea Glassman was an associate editor for the Forward. Follow her on twitter @theakglassman.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO