Manolo Blahnik, Giuseppe Zanotti & More

Seeing Rihanna strut across the stage in sky-high Saint Laurent slingbacks at Jay-Z’s “Extra Innings” show at Yankee Stadium created a wave of nostalgia among her fans.

Before that big moment, the singer hadn’t hit the stage since 2023, when she performed back-to-back during the Super Bowl halftime show and the Academy Awards. Since then, the Fenty Beauty founder hasn’t released her long-awaited ninth album, leaving fans wanting more of her as a musician.

The pointed-toe slingback pumps she chose for the special guest appearance were just a taste of her onstage style over the years.

The “We Found Love” singer has never shied away from a towering heel while singing and dancing on stage, and while other stars stick to safe, professional dancer shoes, Rihanna often reaches for the highest of designer heels. Thigh-high boots have also been a recurring footwear choice for her while on stage, and she has had some memorable moments performing while wearing sneakers. The singer has kept fans on their toes since her 2005 debut, and continues to do so whenever she makes a public appearance.

Take a look back at Rihanna’s best shoe moments on stage over the years.

Rihanna returned to the stage after three years, wearing Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello while performing at the Jay-Z 30 “Extra Innings” concert in the Bronx, N.Y., on Sunday. The singer joined Jay-Z to perform their collaboration “Run This Town.” She strutted across the stage in one of Saint Laurent’s most popular heel styles, the Vendôme slingback pumps in glazed leather.

Rihanna performed onstage at the 2016 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on Sept. 4, 2016, in New York City. She kept it classic in Manolo Blahnik Decebalo pumps in green velvet.

Rihanna performed her hit single, “B—h Better Have My Money,” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, which were held at the Shrine Auditorium on March 29, 2015, in Los Angeles. She wore Versace thigh-high boots featuring a striking green patent-leather front contrasted with a black suede back and a gold heel. She paired them with a matching green fur coat.

Rihanna performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on Aug. 28, 2016, in New York City. She wore black thigh-high Vetements x Manolo Blahnik boots. The boots featured a stiletto heel, a pointed toe and a fold-over cuff with a light pink lining.

Rihanna was the headline performer during the 2016 Budweiser Made in America Festival at Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sept. 3, 2016, in Philadelphia. She wore a bold pair of Giuseppe Zanotti canvas chap-boots in lime green. She also wore the custom slouchy design in beige during her “Anti” world tour that same year. See more of her shoe moments on stage below.