Jay-Z could buy half of Fenty Beauty What is happening to Rihanna's brand?
The latest news of the week in the beauty world comes with the signature of two pop culture icons: Rihanna and Jay-Z. In fact, MarcyPen Capital Partners, the investment firm backed by Jay-Z, is reportedly the leading candidate to acquire the 50% stake in Fenty Beauty currently held by LVMH. In other words, one of the most influential beauty brands of the last decade could soon see a shift in ownership structure, that is, in the distribution of shares and therefore in the control of the brand itself, moving from one major conglomerate to another.
Jay-Z could buy half of Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty has never been just a makeup brand
When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, in collaboration with Kendo Brands, the project proved to be a small revolution in the makeup world, quickly evolving from a simple celebrity brand into a true industry benchmark. Its key strength was the 40 foundation shades launched from day one, which challenged an industry that, until then, seemed to have forgotten that skin is not just one single color. From that moment on, Fenty became one of the most cited case studies in the contemporary beauty industry: still a rare example, unfortunately, of how inclusivity and representation can actually translate into something tangible. Meanwhile, the brand expanded in almost every direction, from skincare to haircare, building a true universe of its own. The possible exit of LVMH is not entirely surprising. The group’s interest in selling its 50% stake had already emerged in October 2025, while the other half of the brand would remain with Rihanna, who would continue to be co-owner even in the event of a sale. This is not a struggling brand: Fenty Beauty remains one of the strongest and most recognizable names in the industry. Rather, it is a strategic decision by LVMH, which appears to be reassessing and redistributing its investments.
And this is where MarcyPen and Jay-Z come in
MarcyPen Capital Partners is Jay-Z’s investment firm, formed in 2024 from the merger of Marcy Venture Partners and Pendulum Opportunities. According to Beauty Independent, it is currently the leading bidder to acquire LVMH’s stake in Fenty Beauty. This is hardly a surprise: MarcyPen had already invested in Savage X Fenty, Rihanna’s lingerie brand, meaning the two worlds are already closely connected. The firm focuses on brands that do not just sell products, but actively shape culture and trends, and Fenty Beauty fits that profile perfectly. Today, the brand is valued between 1 and 2 billion dollars, lower than in 2021, when Forbes estimated it at up to 2.8 billion, but still justified by the fact that the high-end beauty sector has become increasingly crowded and competitive in recent years. To acquire LVMH’s stake, MarcyPen is reportedly seeking additional outside investors to raise the necessary funds. If everything goes through, Jay-Z would become co-owner of one of the most influential beauty brands of the last decade, alongside its founder, Rihanna.