Rihanna Performs in an Embellished Bikini For Italian X Factor

There was certainly nothing Grimm about this fairy tale performance.

R&B star Rihanna took inspiration from Rapunzel last night when she appeared on the Italian version of the X Factor.

The singer started her performance swinging on a long blonde plait that connected two models who were dressed like heroine from the famous Brothers Grimm story.

And not to be outdone by her two fair maidens, Rihanna's long red locks hung sexily down her right shoulder.

The 22-year-old also showed off her curvaceous figure in a floral bikini as she strutted her stuff and sang her latest single The Only Girl (In The World).

She then appeared to take inspiration from another children's story as her male dancers surrounded her clutching brooms.

In a scene reminiscent of the chimney sweep dance from Mary Poppins, her dancers leapt and pranced around waving their brooms in their air and incorporating the tools into the routine.

It was Rihanna's second TV talent show appearance in just over a week after she appeared, singing the same song on the British X Factor on October 30.

And her dancers could have done with their brooms then after they got into a food fight with her props on stage.

Italy was the singer's lastest stop on her promotional tour for her new album, Loud, which is released this Friday.

She also performed at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Madrid, Spain, where she also met up with her good friend, pop star Katy Perry.

The night before, Rihanna turned rock chick and surprised Bon Jovi fans by joining the band in the middle of a performance of their classic hit Livin' On A Prayer.