Is Rihanna the Caribbean Madonna?

The Barbadian singer's ever changing look sparks comparisons with the Material Girl as she turns blonde for a new magazine cover.

Like Madonna before her, Rihanna has channelled the spirit of Marilyn Monroe by donning a blonde wig and pouting provocatively. Not in a video though but for a Vogue magazine covershoot.

The pop singer is seen on the front of the British publication's latest edition wearing a lustrous, Monroe-esque platinum blonde hairpiece and figure-hugging frock.

In another shot for the issue, she peels off to a skimpy bodysuit, short jacket, high heels and a black beret.

But the singer, who sparked controversy when she tied a man to a bed and suggestively sucked a banana during the promo for her hit track S&M, has defended her notoriously racy antics.

"That's not me. That's a part I play. You know, like it's a piece of art ... I just want to make music," she tells the publication.

Meanwhile, Rihanna has been immortalised in wax.

Photo: Getty

London's Madame Tussauds wax museum has added the singer's likeness to its interactive music zone.

Dressed in the revealing outfit she wore for a controversial appearance on UK reality talent show The X Factor, the waxwork figure is as raunchy as its real-life counterpart.

The wax sculpture is the culmination of four months work at a cost of $US150,000 ($157,919) and takes its place amongst musical contemporaries such as Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and the late Amy Winehouse.

"We are sure she will hit the right note with our guests as demand for her figure has been huge since her appearnce on the The X Factor in 2010. Rihanna is one of the biggest music stars of the moment and is a perfect addition to the 'diva dream team' of female artists we have here at the attraction," Liz Edwards of Tussauds said.

WENN and smh.com.au