The duo teams up for a musical moment in the upcoming Smurfs movie
James Corden has finally achieved something fans have waited nearly a decade for — singing with global superstar Rihanna. But instead of happening in his iconic Carpool Karaoke segment, the unexpected duet is taking place in the animated world of the Smurfs.
Corden Opens Up on Long-Awaited Rihanna Collaboration
While attending the premiere of the new Smurfs movie, James Corden shared with Entertainment Tonight that he spent eight years trying to convince Rihanna to appear on Carpool Karaoke, the viral music segment from his Late Late Show.
“I tried for eight years to get Rihanna to do a Carpool Karaoke,” the former late-night host revealed. “The closest we got is the animated Smurfs feature.”
Though the dream of a car ride sing-along never came true, Corden shared that both he and Rihanna lend their voices to characters in the upcoming Smurfs film — and even perform a duet together.
Why Rihanna Never Joined ‘Carpool Karaoke’
Corden explained that despite his repeated invitations, Rihanna consistently declined with one reason: she had no new music to promote.
“She would always say to me, ‘When the new record is out.’ And then I finished the show before that record came out,” he said.
Indeed, Rihanna’s last full-length studio album, Anti, was released in 2016. After a long musical hiatus, she recently dropped her first new single in three years — a track featured on the Smurfs movie soundtrack.
“It’s Very Silly” — Corden Reflects on Singing with Rihanna
While the moment may not have happened in a car, Corden is thrilled to have finally shared the mic with Rihanna, even in animated form.
“I can’t talk seriously about singing with Rihanna because it’s silly. It’s very silly,” he joked. “They can work wonders these days.”
Smurfs Set to Hit Theatres Soon
The new Smurfs movie, featuring the voices of James Corden and Rihanna, is set to be released in theatres on Friday, July 18. With its mix of comedy, nostalgia, and music, the film is already building excitement — especially for fans eager to hear Rihanna’s return to the mic.
Conclusion
While James Corden never got Rihanna in his car for a Carpool Karaoke, their animated duet in the Smurfs movie is a surprise treat for fans. With new music from Rihanna and a star-studded voice cast, the upcoming film promises laughter, music, and a bit of long-awaited magic.
