Rihanna at Staples Center

Rihanna on stage, posing for the audience.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Rihanna commands the stage.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

An emotional Rihanna performs.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The sultry star displayed a number of facets during her Staples Center performance.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

So many Rihannas appeared over the course of the nearly two-hour show that the singer didn’t have time to take up all the personas she’s cultivated.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)