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LeBron James was in Paris on Wednesday at the Louis Vuitton show, where he ran into longtime friend Rihanna. A clip of the two hugging is now going viral online due to James’s rubbing the pop star’s bare belly.
Rihanna is pregnant, as many noticed in her latest Super Bowl appearance. Fans on social media are now roasting King James for his awkward embrace.
The two have a past relationship that dates back to James’s time in Cleveland. According to a timeline provided by Andscape, one of their first encounters came in the summer of 2009.
Since then, the relationship has blossomed into a friendship, so it wasn’t odd to see the two superstars interacting at the fashion show this week.
What was odd, at least in many viewers’ eyes, was how Lebron greeted Rihanna.
LeBron and Rihanna pic.twitter.com/DYjRbbzvm0
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 22, 2023
The comments section immediately erupted with response as fans ripped James apart for his belly rub.
— 𝑱𝑫🥤 (@LFCJorge_) June 22, 2023
Many asked why he touched her belly in the first place.
why did he touch it
— adgy (@bagelluvr45) June 22, 2023
Bro rubbed her belly like it was a basketball
— Cloudz ☁️ (@FamousCloudzz) June 22, 2023
Wait did he touch the baby bump… ewwww
— BIG AYO🔰 (@47kasz) June 22, 2023
Others think he confused it for a basketball.
It’s not a basketball, Bron…
— PJM (@PJM75TWEETS) June 22, 2023
Why he grab her stomach like that
— HBA (@HBAcrypto) June 22, 2023
LeHandsy
— Jordan LeMichael (@jordanlemichael) June 22, 2023
Some think he just gave his blessing to the baby, not seeing an issue.
he just blessed the baby w generational talent , ion see the problem here
— ฿ees. (@I3lamegame) June 22, 2023
The belly rub was likely just an innocent touch between close friends. The comments are absolutely hysterical, though, as fans will take any chance possible to troll one of the greatest basketball players of all time.