WATCH: Drake declares his LOVE for RiRi in gushing VMA speech

They’ve one of the most talked about celebrity relationships of recent years, but that hasn’t stopped fans from weeping with joy over Drake’s love declaration for Rihanna at last night’s VMAs.

While presenting the Work singer with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award – aka the MTV VMA Lifetime Achievement Award – Drake dedicated a heartfelt speech to “the most beautiful, talented woman [he has] ever seen in [his] life”.

In a modern fairytale moment – which saw Drake stand in full tux professing his love for a satin gowned Rihanna – the rapper described RiRi as “one of [his] best friends in the world” and “someone [he’s] been in love with since [he] was 22 years old”.  Awhhh!

 

This. Moment. Right. Here. #VMAs https://t.co/D4xnxuGp7Bhttps://t.co/FxWsjAKKfq

— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) August 29, 2016

During his speech he spoke candidly about the first time he and the Barbadian beauty met – FYI it was 11 years ago in a restaurant called Avocado – and how despite having now achieved an “untouchable level” of success, Rihanna has remained totally true to herself.

He said:  “Some artists need to play a character to achieve success, some need to downplay their own natural instincts to blend in.  She succeeds by doing something no one in this industry does, which is being herself.”

 

 

This is a night for us all to be thankful for what you have done for us! You have affected so many of our lives in the best way possible. Tonight we celebrate you! @badgalriri

A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Aug 28, 2016 at 11:41pm PDT

Fans of the pair were quick to announce their own joy at Drake’s revelations, with one Twitter user writing: “Drake’s 29 now, so he’s been in love with Rihanna for 7 years…….I’m not crying….YOU’RE CRYING.”

While another said: “Drake just admitted he’s in love with Rihanna.  AND WE ARE OFFICIALLY WRITING FROM THE GRAVE.”

For all the feels, check out Drake’s speech in full below:

Feat image: Getty