'' Entertainment Weekly '' writer Tanner Stransky praised the video 's simplicity , noting that it seems " as if Rihanna is speaking directly to you , the viewer , and she is your one and only amid swallowing rolling , beautiful , swallowing landscapes . It 's an effect that makes you focus squarely on Rihanna , who 's ensconced in flirty outfits . " According to Joyce Lee of CBS , Rihanna appeared to have progressed from the " edgy " music videos of the '' Rated R '' singles to a more feminine , colourful tone . A Mail Online reviewer and Seth Sommerfield of '' Spin '' echoed Lee 's comments , with the former calling it " beautifully shot " and the latter " whimsical and beautiful " . The Mail Online reviewer called the video a departure from the " hard-edged , heavier image " music videos of '' Rated R '' . '' Billboard '' reviewer Jason Lipshutz described the tree with flashing lights as " surreal imagery . " Rihanna performed " Only Girl ( In the World ) " and a solo version of " What 's My Name ? " on '' Saturday Night Live '' in New York City on October 30 , 2010 . The next day , she flew to London to perform the song on '' The X Factor '' . Rihanna 's dancers had a food fight with cakes and cream while she sang , and the show 's producers had only one minute to clear the stage before the weekly elimination results were announced . On November 7 she performed the song at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Madrid , wearing a " fairy tale " - inspired ensemble and walking through a set of flowers against a sunset . Two days later , Rihanna sang " Only Girl ( In the World ) " on the Italian version of '' The X Factor '' in a floral-print bikini , boots and a red pigtail . The next day she flew to France to sing the song on '' Le Grand Journal '' , on a set covered with white balloons
MTV Europe Music Awards
2010 MTV Europe Music Awards
Only Girl (In the World)