Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Faces Scrutiny As LVMH Reportedly Considers Stake Sale Amid Child Labour Allegations
On October 22, Reuters reported that luxury goods conglomerate LVMH (LVMH.PA) is exploring the sale of its 50% stake in Fenty Beauty, the cosmetics company it co-owns with Grammy Award-winning artist and entrepreneur Rihanna.
Four people familiar with the matter told Reuters that LVMH has enlisted investment bank Evercore to assist with the potential transaction.
The report states that Fenty Beauty, co-founded in 2017 by Rihanna and LVMH’s in-house beauty incubator Kendo Brands, generated approximately $450 million in net sales in 2024 and could be valued between $1 billion and $2 billion.
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Both LVMH and Evercore declined to comment on the matter to Reuters, while representatives for Fenty Beauty and Rihanna did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, remains a co-owner of both Fenty Beauty and her lingerie brand Savage X Fenty. Despite speculation online, the singer has not sold her stake in the beauty label.
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In 2025, Forbes estimated Rihanna’s net worth at $1.4 billion, largely driven by the success of her cosmetics and fashion ventures.
Meanwhile, Fenty Beauty has recently faced scrutiny following allegations of child labour linked to its mica supply chain. Mica — a mineral used in many cosmetic products for its shimmer — is often mined in parts of eastern India.
Activist Vinya Joshi, from the Legal Rights Observatory, filed a complaint with India’s National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), urging an investigation into the alleged use of so-called “blood mica” sourced from illegal mines in Jharkhand.
Joshi’s statement alleges that children are being used to extract mica under hazardous conditions in one of India’s poorest regions. The complaint further notes that Fenty Beauty’s supply chain is not registered with the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI), an international body that promotes ethical sourcing of mica.
The allegations have reignited global concern over transparency and labour practices in the beauty industry. Fenty Beauty has not issued a formal response to the complaint as of this report.
Founded with the goal of promoting inclusivity, Fenty Beauty gained worldwide recognition for its diverse range of products catering to a broad spectrum of skin tones, particularly for Black, Hispanic, and Asian consumers. The brand’s products are sold through Sephora and Amazon, reaching millions of customers globally.
