Rihanna is being sued by David LaChapelle, who claims she stole his ideas for the music video to her single 'S&M'.

The fashion photographer ' who has shot celebrities for magazines such as Rolling Stone, GQ and Vanity Fair ' is taking legal action as he alleges 'the music video is directly derived from and substantially similar to the LaChapelle works'.

In the lawsuit suit, LaChapelle claims Rihanna had appropriated eight of his images into the video ' directed by Melina Matsoukas ' including a shot where she is shown in profile against a blue background with a piece of candy on her tongue.

He said the video copied the 'composition, total concept, feel, tone, mood, theme, colours, props, settings, decors, wardrobe and lighting' of his work.

As well as facing legal issues, Rihanna has been forced to rest her voice ahead of her performance at tonight's (15.02.11) BRIT Awards.

The 22-year-old singer has been suffering from laryngitis and bronchitis, so has been ordered not to speak before she takes to the stage at London's O2 Arena.

A source told the Daily Record newspaper: "She's really ill and it's touch and go about her performing. She's a perfectionist, so she wants to be 100 per cent.

"She's been taking medication to get better and even has a doctor on standby for vitamin injections.

"Her team have also ordered her to limit talking, which she's finding difficult, as she does like a good chat."