EXCLUSIVE: Home for the holidays: Rihanna rents a $21 million beachside home in Barbados - but will Chris Brown join her?

Superstar Rihanna will celebrate Christmas in style - after renting a sprawling, $21.8 million beach-side penthouse for the holidays.
The 24-year-old singer, who has a net worth of $72 million, always returns to her native Barbados for Christmas and this year, she will stay with her mother Monica Braithwaite and younger brother Rajad at the luxurious One Sandy Lane
And her volatile on-off lover Chris Brown is set to join her as well, according to friends on the island.

 

Soaking up the sun: Bikini-clad Rihanna recently shared a holiday snap. She's hired a $21 million apartment for the holidays in her native Barbados

 

The star surprised her mother with a five-bedroom home in Barbados earlier this year. However, the family will stay on the shores of the crystal-blue Caribbean Ocean for the holidays
Rihanna - who just splashed out $12 million on a new home in the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles - will join a raft of celebrities who traditionally decamp to the island, including X Factor supremo Simon Cowell, Top Shop billionaire Sir Philip Green, as well as a host of music executives.
Last year, she was paid $2 million to perform at a party in Barbados held by Ashley Tabor, the British boss of Global Radio, whose father Michael Tabor owns One Sandy Lane.

 

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Michael amassed a fortune from bookmaking, horsebreeding and property, and helped bankroll the £545m double purchase of GCap Media and Chrysalis Radio that created Global's broadcasting empire.
Number One Sandy Lane is just down the beach from the famous five-star Sandy Lane hotel.
There are only eight, 10,000 sq ft apartments within the opulent complex that is just a walk on to the beach, each featuring five en-suite bedrooms that boast their own private terraces and dressing rooms.

 

Luxurious: Rihanna and her family will stay at One Sandy Lane in Barbados

 

Beachside views: The apartments boast private terraces that look on to the Caribbean Ocean

 

Elegant: One of the five bedrooms inside the apartment at One Sandy Lane

While private elevators and underground parking come as standard, perfect for Rihanna.
One Sandy Lane boasts that it is run like a boutique hotel. Even when nobody is staying there, a private staff of 34, including gardeners and security staff, keeps everything shipshape.
The security system works on biometrics, which mean residents can pass between different areas in the building without carrying anything as old-fashioned as a key, but non-residents will be instantly detected.
Rapper Chris Brown is planning to join Rihanna, according to friends on the island - although one said: 'Their relationship changes day to day, hour by hour.'
The couple have made it no secret of their increasing affection for each other in a series of pictures posted on Twitter and a string of recent public appearances.

 

Volatile: Rihanna with on-off boyfriend Chris Brown, seen leaving Adagio Nightclub in Berlin in November

 

Reunited? Chris Brown posted a picture of him with Rihanna earlier this month - alongside the message: 'What would music today sound like if these kids didn't exist?'

But their reunion may be scuppered as singer Christina Milian recently claimed he's back with former girlfriend, model Karrueche Tran - with the pair pictured together in Paris earlier this month.
In response, Rihanna let loose with a stream of angry tweets, writing: 'Goodbye, muthaf***** #takeoff,' followed by, 'You give, you get, then you give it the f*** back.'
She then sent the message: "Never underestimate a man's ability to make you feel guilty for his mistakes' to her 37 million Twitter followers, swiftly followed by a picture of herself half-naked by a fireplace holding a glass of wine.
Rihanna then put up a screen shot of a description of women born under the astrological sign of her star sign,  Pisces, that said Pices women are 'generous and sweet but don't cross her', that she captioned 'I don't wanna give you the wrong impression.'
The couple broke up four years ago following Brown's brutal assault on the superstar, which left her hospitalised.

Chandelier: The spacious hallway at One Sandy Lane

 

Bathe in style: A spacious, all-white bathroom at One Sandy Lane

 

However, during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in August, Rihanna broke down in tears as she admitted:'We love each other and we probably always will, and that's not anything that we're going to try to change.'
She called the rapper her 'first love' and in October, Brown announced he had ended his relationship with Karruche, declaring: 'I have decided to be single to focus on my career. I love Karrueche very much but I don't want to see her hurt over my friendship with Rihanna.'

 

Doting daughter: Rihanna surprised her mother with a five-bedroom house in Barbados during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in August

 

Family: Rihanna kisses her brother Rajad after surprising her mother Monica Braithwaite with a new home

Rihanna - real name Robyn Fenty - returns home every year for the holidays.
In 2010, she was pictured frolicking with friends on the beach, and enjoyed lunch with Universal music chief, Lucian Grainge, as well as Philip Green and Simon Cowell.
She then gave Oprah Winfrey a tour of the island during her interview in August and the TV star also stayed at One Sandy Lane.

 

Lunchtime companions: Rihanna joined Topshop boss Sir Philip Green, Simon Cowell and Universal Music chief Lucian Grainge in Barbados in 2010

 

Back at Sandy Lane: Sir Philip Green relaxes in Barbados after arriving on Sunday

Sir Philip 60, has already arrived in Barbados for his annual jaunt with his wife Tina - flying in on their gulf stream jet which costs £40,000-a-trip. Their daughter Chloe is due to join them.
Cowell, 53, is also due out soon to take his month-long break in the Caribbean.