Rihanna "loves" Drake.
Rihanna
The 29-year-old rapper confessed his feelings for the 'Diamonds' hitmaker on stage in front of the world as he presented her with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) at Madison Square Garden in New York last weekend, and she has now thanked him for his touching speech.
In a post on Instagram, she expressed her gratitude to supermodel Naomi Campbell, singer Mary J Blige and actress Tracee Ellis Ross before praising her rumoured boyfriend's introductory speech.
Sharing a video of her own acceptance speech, she wrote: Thank you to the beautiful @iamnaomicampbell @therealmaryjblige @traceeellisross for your kind words! @champagnepapi (Drake) your speech was so touching and I love you for that!
"All in all....Best night ever!!! I'm a lucky girl!!! To God be the Glory!"
The 'Work' singer also praised her family and friends for their support and thanked MTV for assisting her in making her "challenging" performance a success.
She wrote: "#VMA2016 night was one that I would never forget!! I have the most incredible people in my life! My family, friends, loved ones, my fans, my team!!! All gifted beautiful spirits! And I'm so grateful that God has precisely and flawlessly arranged our paths to meet at each other! It's because of you that I was able to reach this moment in my career! And it's also because of you that I was able to pull off a night like this one, with 4 medley performances, 4 set productions, 4 outfits, 4 hair and makeup looks, and all in 4 days of rehearsal! It was a challenge but I wanted nothing more than to give my fans a true representation of all the colors that I'm made of as an artist! My journey has been filled with growth and people who continue to inspire me! Forever grateful to everyone involved creatively, from choreography all the way to wardrobe and production! @MTV team you were a dream to work with! (sic)"
In his introductory speech, Drake - who hasn't officially confirmed his relationship with Rihanna despite months of speculation - said he'd been in love with the 'Work' singer for years.
As he clutched the trophy in his hand, he said of the brunette beauty: "She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old. She's one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life, I've looked up to her, even though she's younger than me. She's a living, breathing legend in our industry, ladies and gentleman, the recipient of the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award for 2016, Rihanna."
The 28-year-old singer - who also performed at the event - then took the accolade from the hunk as she leant in to give him a peck on the cheek, while he nuzzled into her neck.
However, the intimate moment under the lights didn't last very long as Rihanna pulled away to start her speech.
They then left the stage hand-in-hand before sharing another kiss.