Rihanna spends 100k on glitzy 5ft Marilyn Monroe
She commissioned British artist Claire Milner to make the 5 sq ft picture of the Hollywood legend.
Then 23-year-old Rihanna lashed out thousands more having it shipped to her luxury Beverly Hills mansion. The portrait constantly changes colour, sending rainbows of light round the room.
Claire spent four months finishing the shimmering picture which weighs a hefty 13 stone placing each of the crystals by hand at her Yorkshire studio.
The artist, who has done similar portraits of David Beckham and Elvis, said: "I tried to show the glitter of the public life and then the sadness in Marilyn's eyes."
Shimmering ... artist Claire with Marilyn portrait
She added: "Because of who Rihanna is, everything had to be done through her interior decorators.
"But they told me afterwards that she loved it.
Overdose ... Marilyn Monroe died fifty years ago this August
Ronald Grant Archive"A 100 per cent Swarovski crystal portrait is very luxurious people stand and stare because it constantly changes colour, sending rainbows round the room."
A source said love-lorn Rihanna identifies with blonde bombshell Marilyn who died aged 36 from a drugs overdose 50 years ago this August because she feels the same pressures of fame.
The chart-topper previously forked out a fortune for a GUN chandelier which is now hanging in her living room.