Carmelo Anthony has finally given the backstory to his 2014 meme with Rihanna.
The former NBA star discussed the moment during the "Keepin' It Real" segment of the latest episode of podcast 7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony. The Kid Mero introduced the meme, which has been famous for Anthony staring hard at Rihanna who was posing for the camera during the 2014 Met Gala afterparty.
Although Anthony was in attendance with his then-wife, LaLa Anthony, social media users joked that he looked like he was ready to "risk it all" for Rih.
Around the 1:28:00 mark of the video below, Anthony explained that he was caught off guard by the amount of cameras in his face, along with being unaware that the Fenty Beauty founder was standing in front of him.
"We already in there having a good time. Every time a celebrity comes in, the cameras go crazy," Anthony began.
Anthony described the venue as "small," causing guests to see "all the flashes."
"It's commotion when you walk in there," Anthony continued. "I finally walk in and get through the cameras and sit down—now I found my my comfort zone."
Anthony said that although he was trying to be "low," upon Rihanna's entrance, the cameras went "crazy."
"All you see is white flashes. There's only one area to go to and I'm like, 'Please don't come over here,'" he joked. "The flashes is going, so I put my head down and I look up and she's right there posing."
Anthony replicated his blank expression from the meme, expressing his disappointment when Rihanna made it "hot" in his section of the club. But Anthony said since the meme was so funny, he "never fought" the public's reaction.
