International popstar Rihanna released her first album in 2005 and is known for such No. 1 hits as "Umbrella," "SOS," "Diamonds," and "Work."

rihanna in black turtleneck with pearl earrings

Who Is Rihanna?

Popstar Rihanna signed with Def Jam records at age 16 and in 2005 released her first album Music of the Sun , which sold more than two million copies worldwide. She went on to release more albums and an array of hit songs, including "Unfaithful," "Umbrella," "Disturbia," "Take a Bow," "Diamonds" and "We Found Love." A global pop star with an unrelentingly edgy image, Rihanna has also won multiple industry accolades, including Grammys and MTV awards.

Singer Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in St. Michael Parish on the Caribbean island of Barbados. She is the eldest of three children born to Monica Fenty, an accountant, and Ronald Fenty, a warehouse supervisor. Rihanna's childhood was marred by her father's struggles with addictions to alcohol and crack cocaine and her parents' marital problems — they divorced when she was 14 years old.

Rihanna also struggled with crippling headaches for several years during her childhood, a condition she attempted to hide from her friends and classmates so that they would not think she was abnormal. "I never expressed how I felt," she remembered. "I always kept it in. I would go to school ... you would never know there was something wrong with me."

Move to the United States

As a teenager, Rihanna turned to singing as a release from her troubles at home. She formed a girl group with two classmates; when they were 15 years old, they scored an audition with music producer Evan Rodgers, who was visiting the island with his Barbadian wife. Rogers was awed by the precociously beautiful and talented Rihanna, to the unfortunate detriment of her two friends. "The minute Rihanna walked into the room, it was like the other two girls didn't exist," he admitted.

Less than a year later, when Rihanna was only 16 years old, she left Barbados to move in with Rogers and his wife in Connecticut and work on recording a demo album. "When I left Barbados, I didn't look back," Rihanna recalled. "I wanted to do what I had to do, even if it meant moving to America."

"Pon de Replay," "Unfaithful" and "SOS"

Only eight months later, in August 2005, she released her first single, "Pon de Replay," a reggae-influenced club track that reached No. 2 on the Billboard singles chart and announced Rihanna as the next up-and-coming pop star. Her first album, Music of the Sun , released later that month, reached No. 10 on the Billboard albums chart and also featured the single "If It's Lovin' That You Want." Rihanna released her second album, A Girl Like Me , the next year, spawning two major hits in "Unfaithful" and "SOS," Rihanna's first No. 1 single.

"Umbrella"

In 2007, Rihanna effected a transformation from cute teen pop princess to superstar and sex symbol with her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad , fueled by its smash hit lead single "Umbrella," featuring Jay-Z. "It shows such growth for her as an artist," Jay-Z said about the track. "If you listen to the lyrics to that song, you know the depth and how far she's come."

"Don't Stop the Music," "Disturbia" and "Hate That I Love You"

"Umbrella" topped the Billboard singles chart and earned Rihanna her first Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The album reached No. 2 on the charts and also featured the singles "Shut Up and Drive" and "Don't Stop the Music," the latter featuring a sample of Michael Jackson 's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded , released the following year, scored further hits in "Disturbia," "Take a Bow" and "Hate That I Love You."

"Only Girl (In the World)" and "S&M"

Continuing her onslaught of hit albums, Rihanna released Rated R in 2009 with the singles "Hard" and "Rude Boy." Her 2010 album, Loud , was once again a commercial success behind the songs "What's My Name," "Only Girl (In the World)" and "S&M."

Besides her own laundry list of hit songs, Rihanna collaborated on a host of popular songs by other artists from around this time, including Jay-Z's "Run this Town," Eminem 's "Love the Way You Lie," Maroon 5's "If I Never See Your Face Again" and Kanye West 's "All of the Lights."

"We Found Love"

In 2011, Rihanna released her sixth studio album: Talk That Talk . The album included "We Found Love," a track with DJ Calvin Harris that won the 2013 Grammy Award for best short-form music video.

"Diamonds" and "Stay"

On her Grammy-winning 2012 album Unapologetic , Rihanna turned out such hits as the No. 1 Sia Furler tune "Diamonds" and "Stay," featuring Mikky Ekko. (Interestingly, Unapologetic was the first Rihanna album to hit No. 1 on the pop charts.) She also worked with Coldplay on the track "Princess of China" and, the following year, reached No. 1 again with another Eminem collaboration, "The Monster."

Known for her sexually provocative imagery and wild style, Rihanna made headlines for the sheer dress she wore to the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards ceremony in June 2014. She was there to receive the CFDA's Fashion Icon Award and told the crowd that "Fashion has always been my defense mechanism," according to an Associated Press report. Rihanna acknowledged that there were some rules to fashion, but explained that "rules are meant to be broken." Around this time, the singer made a bold professional move as well: She switched from the Def Jam label to Jay-Z's Roc Nation.

"FourFiveSeconds"

In August 2015, NBC announced that Rihanna would be the key adviser on The Voice 's ninth season. That same year she contributed vocals to the single "FourFiveSeconds," a collaboration with West and famed Beatle Paul McCartney , as well as releasing "B**** Better Have My Money," a tune allegedly inspired by court wranglings with her former manager that also featured a highly controversial, violent music video. In 2015 Rihanna also became the first artist in history to have 100 million singles digitally downloaded and streamed.

"Work"

In late January 2016, Rihanna released the album Anti , allowing Jay-Z's online streaming site Tidal to exclusively feature the collection of tracks for a week. The gambit paid off for the struggling service, with one million trial subscribers joining Tidal in less than a day to partake in a download promotion for Anti . The album's lead single, "Work," featuring rapper Drake , earned two Grammy nominations. In 2017, Rihanna scored another No. 1 hit as a featured artist on DJ Khaled 's "Wild Thoughts."

Branching out to screen work, Rihanna co-starred in the sci-fi flick Battleship (2012) and later voiced the lead character in the animated blockbuster Home (2015).

In 2017, Rihanna made recurring appearances in season 5 of Bates Motel , and earned a prominent role in the science fiction flick Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets . That year, fans also got their first glimpse of the pop superstar alongside Sandra Bullock , Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway in trailers for Ocean's 8 , a female-led spinoff of the popular Ocean's Trilogy which hit theaters in June 2018.

The following spring, Rihanna co-starred with Donald Glover , aka Childish Gambino, in the Amazon musical Guava Island .

Philanthropy and Personal Life

In 2012, Rihanna launched the nonprofit Clara Lionel Foundation, named after her grandmother, which supports and funds education and early response programs around the world. For her philanthropic efforts, she was honored with the President's Award at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards.

Rihanna has also made headlines in her personal life, although often for circumstances beyond her control. She first made gossip column headlines in 2006 when rumors swirled that she was having an affair with her mentor, Jay-Z, though she and Jay-Z dismissed such allegations as ridiculous. Later, she was romantically linked to billionaire Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel, before their split was reported in early 2020.

In late 2020, Rihanna began dating rapper A$AP Rocky . In January 2022, it was revealed that the couple is expecting their first child.

Chris Brown

In 2009, Rihanna was the center of a media firestorm after a domestic violence incident in which her then-boyfriend Chris Brown assaulted her before an awards show. The incident sparked a huge public outpouring of support for Rihanna, and she became a spokesperson against domestic violence. "This happened to me," she said in an interview with Diane Sawyer. "It can happen to anyone."

"I put my guard up so hard," she said in a separate interview with Rolling Stone . "I didn't want people to see me cry. I didn't want people to feel bad for me. It was a very vulnerable time in my life, and I refused to let that be the image. I wanted them to see me as, 'I'm fine, I'm tough.' I put that up until it felt real."

In 2012, Rihanna appeared to be reconnecting with Brown. The pair worked together on the song "Birthday Cake" released that year. Rihanna also spoke very candidly with Oprah Winfrey about her relationship with Brown that August. She told Winfrey that Brown may have been the love of her life and she has developed "a very close friendship" with him. The two officially dated again for a time, with Rihanna maintaining in a Rolling Stone interview that Brown had changed and that any form of abuse would be unacceptable.

QUICK FACTS

  • Birth date: February 20, 1988
  • Birth Country: Barbados
  • Best Known For: International popstar Rihanna released her first album in 2005 and is known for such No. 1 hits as "Umbrella," "SOS," "Diamonds," and "Work."
  • Astrological Sign: Pisces
  • Combermere School
  • Nationalities
  • Antiguan/Barbudan
Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us !
  • When the whole worlds turning left, it's when I'm going right. I need someone to let me be just who I am inside.
  • I believe in second chances, I just don't believe everyone deserves them.
  • Love isn't complicated—people are.
  • I'm rebellious through my music, through my fashion, tattoos and my hair.
  • I have been conservative in my love life.
  • Boys will be boys!!! 'Cause they can't be men!
  • People think because we're young, we aren't complex but that's not true. We deal with life and love and broken hearts in the same way a woman a few years older might.
  • I could never identify with that word, 'weak.' I couldn't have come out of this if I was weak. No way.
  • After being tormented for so many years, being angry and dark, I'd rather just live my truth and take the backlash. I can handle it.
  • I decided it was more important for me to be happy, and I wasn't going to let anyone's opinion get in the way of that. Even if it's a mistake, it's my mistake.
  • You know, when I started to ... have my race be highlighted, it was mostly when I would do business deals. ... And, you know, that never ends, by the way. It’s still a thing. And it’s the thing that makes me want to prove people wrong. It almost excites me; I know what they’re expecting and I can’t wait to show them that I’m here to exceed those expectations.

Watch Next .css-16toot1:after{background-color:#262626;color:#fff;margin-left:1.8rem;margin-top:1.25rem;width:1.5rem;height:0.063rem;content:'';display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}

preview for Biography Musicians Playlist

Black History

wally amos also known as famous amos smiles at the camera, he wears a collared shirt and hat

Kamala Harris

ray charles

Ray Charles

whoopi goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg

stevie wonder

Stevie Wonder

sylvia rivera

Sylvia Rivera

jesse owens smiles at the camera, he wears a light colored sleeveless shirt with a winged emblem in the center of the chest

Jesse Owens

opal lee, wearing a denim designed coat, yellow shirt, and sunglasses, speaks at a podium with two microphones and the us presidential seal, standing next to a laughing kamala harris

Opal Lee: The “Grandmother of Juneteenth”

marsha p johnson smiles at the camera while seated at a table, she wears a flower crown and a bright pink dress and holds a glass

13 Powerful Marsha P. Johnson Quotes

marsha p johnson in dark outfit and black hair smiles as she stands on the corner of christopher street and 7th avenue during the pride march

Marsha P. Johnson

naomi osaka

Naomi Osaka

johnnie cochran

Johnnie Cochran

Encyclopedia Britannica

  • History & Society
  • Science & Tech
  • Biographies
  • Animals & Nature
  • Geography & Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Games & Quizzes
  • On This Day
  • One Good Fact
  • New Articles
  • Lifestyles & Social Issues
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Politics, Law & Government
  • World History
  • Health & Medicine
  • Browse Biographies
  • Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
  • Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
  • Environment
  • Fossils & Geologic Time
  • Entertainment & Pop Culture
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Visual Arts
  • Demystified
  • Image Galleries
  • Infographics
  • Top Questions
  • Britannica Kids
  • Saving Earth
  • Space Next 50
  • Student Center
  • Introduction

Music career: A Girl Like Me and Good Girl Gone Bad

Later works: rated r , talk that talk , and unapologetic, other activities: acting and fenty beauty, personal life.

Rihanna

  • What are some of the major film festivals?

iPod. The iPod nano released to the public Sept. 2010 completely redesigned with Multi-Touch. Half the size and even easier to play. Choose from seven electric colors. iPod portable media player developed by Apple Inc., first released in 2001.

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

  • Official Site of Rihanna
  • AllMusic - Rihanna
  • GRAMMY.com - Rihanna
  • Rihanna - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
  • Table Of Contents

Rihanna

Recent News

Rihanna (born February 20, 1988, St. Michael parish, Barbados) is a Barbadian pop and rhythm-and-blues (R&B) singer who became a worldwide star in the early 21st century. She is known for her distinctive and versatile voice and for her fashionable appearance. She is also known for her beauty and fashion lines.

Fenty grew up in Barbados with a Barbadian father and a Guyanese mother. As a child, she listened to Caribbean music , such as reggae , as well as American hip-hop and R&B. She especially enjoyed singing and won a high-school talent show with a rendition of a Mariah Carey song. About the same time, she started a girl group with two friends, and in 2004 she attracted the attention of Evan Rogers, an American record producer. He helped Fenty record a demo that led to an audition with the rapper Jay-Z , who at the time headed the Def Jam record label, and he soon signed the budding vocalist. For her professional career, she adopted her middle name, Rihanna.

Green Day, American punk rock band

With the effervescent dancehall -inflected single “Pon de Replay” (2005), Rihanna immediately captured an international audience. The song’s success buoyed sales for her debut full-length recording, Music of the Sun (2005), on which conventional R&B ballads shared space with Caribbean-flavored dance-pop that showcased her melodious Barbadian lilt. Rihanna soon followed with the album A Girl Like Me (2006), featuring the up-tempo club-oriented “S.O.S.” The song, which was built around a sample of Soft Cell ’s 1981 new-wave hit “Tainted Love,” became Rihanna’s first to top the Billboard singles chart.

For Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), Rihanna sought to transform her youthful image. With the assistance of such high-profile collaborators as Timbaland and Justin Timberlake , she abandoned the tropical rhythms that had adorned her first two albums and recorded a collection of sleek R&B that presented her as a fiercely independent and rebellious woman. (She also unveiled a spiky asymmetrical hairstyle.) The gambit paid off, as the album sold several million copies worldwide, and its anthemic lead single, “ Umbrella,” featuring an introductory rap from Jay-Z, became one of the year’s biggest hits and earned Rihanna a Grammy Award .

In early 2009 Rihanna was beaten by her boyfriend, fellow R&B star Chris Brown , in an incident that was widely covered by tabloid news and gossip blogs. Following their separation, he was convicted of assault. The album that followed later that year, Rated R , much of which she cowrote, was marked by icily stark production and brooding lyrics that touched on revenge. Although her sales declined somewhat, she scored another major hit with “Rude Boy.” Rihanna returned to less-portentous fare on the dance-friendly Loud (2010). In early 2011 the album’s sexually provocative single “S&M” became her 10th number one Billboard hit—which made her, at age 23, the youngest artist ever to reach that milestone. Included in the total were prominent collaborations with hip-hop artists T.I. and Eminem that appeared on albums of theirs; many felt her vocals on the latter’s “Love the Way You Lie” (2010) lent resonance to the song’s depiction of an abusive relationship.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna maintained a steely and seductive persona on the albums Talk That Talk (2011), which produced the infectious international hit “We Found Love,” and Unapologetic (2012), which was anchored by the starry-eyed “Diamonds.” The latter release also controversially featured a duet with Brown, with whom she rekindled her relationship for a brief time. Her eighth studio album, Anti , was released in 2016. Rihanna began working on a new record, but the project was delayed as she took a break from music. However, she later cowrote and performed “Lift Me Up” for the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). For her work on the single, Rihanna received her first Academy Award nomination, for best original song. In 2023 she returned to the stage for the first time in some four years, performing at the Super Bowl halftime show.

In addition to her musical career, Rihanna acted in the movies Battleship (2012) and This Is the End (2013). She also voiced one of the main characters in the animated adventure Home (2015). Rihanna later appeared as a hacker in Ocean’s 8 (2018), a female-driven reboot of the Ocean’s Eleven franchise from the early 2000s. In 2019 she starred with Donald Glover in the musical Guava Island ; it premiered at the Coachella Valley Festival before streaming on Amazon .

After collaborating on several cosmetics collections in the early 2010s, Rihanna launched her own line, Fenty Beauty, in 2017. The brand was enthusiastically embraced by fans and was praised for its inclusivity in offering 40 different shades of foundation. She later launched (2018) Savage X Fenty, a clothing line of lingerie and loungewear. In 2019 it was announced that Rihanna was partnering with LVMH Moët Hennessy—Louis Vuitton to create the fashion line Fenty. She thereby became the first woman of color to head a fashion house at LVMH, which was the largest luxury-products company in the world. Fenty’s first collection was released later that year. However, the line struggled, and in 2021 it was announced that Fenty was being paused “pending better conditions.”

Rihanna’s personal life attracted intense media attention. Her tumultuous relationship with Brown, especially the 2009 domestic violence incident, was fodder for the tabloids. She later dated Canadian rapper Drake . In 2021 it was confirmed that Rihanna was in a relationship with rapper A$AP Rocky. The couple welcomed a baby boy the following year. In 2023 Rihanna revealed she was again pregnant by performing at the Super Bowl halftime show with a visible baby bump; her representatives subsequently confirmed that the singer was expecting her second child. In August that year Rihanna gave birth to her second son.

rihanna brief biography

  • Born February 20 , 1988 · Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados
  • Birth name Robyn Rihanna Fenty
  • The Caribbean Queen
  • The Barbados Babe
  • The Bajan Beauty
  • The Princess of Pop
  • The Princess of R&B
  • Height 5′ 8″ (1.73 m)
  • Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988 in Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados to Monica Braithwaite, an accountant & Ronald Fenty, a warehouse supervisor. Her mother is Afro-Guyanese and her father is of Afro-Barbadian and British Isles ancestry. Rihanna lived the life of a normal island girl going to Combermere, a top sixth form school. Rihanna won numerous beauty pageants and performed Mariah Carey 's single, Hero in a school talent show. Her life changed forever when one of her friends introduced her to Evan Rodgers, a producer from New York who was in Barbados for a vacation with his wife, who is a native. Rodgers arranged for her to go to New York to meet Jay-Z , CEO of Def Jam Records. He heard her sing and knew she was going to be incredibly successful. She was age 16 when she was signed to Def Jam. Since then, she's amassed phenomenal success. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Loud_Child
  • Children RZA Athelston Mayers Riot Rose Mayers
  • Parents Monica Braithwaite Ronald Fenty
  • Relatives Reginald Leslie Forde (Grandparent) Betty Fenty (Grandparent) Rorrey Fenty (Sibling) Rajad Fenty (Sibling)
  • Leather outfits and revealing outfits
  • Ever changing hairstyles
  • Her many tattoos
  • Strong Bajan accent
  • Mezzo-soprano vocals
  • In the United Kingdom, she became the only female; and the only artist in 52 years to have three top ten songs at once on the "UK Official Chart". She also became the first female artist; in the history of the chart, to have a number one in five consecutive years.
  • She's the highest paid female celebrity to be seated front row at fashion shows. She's paid an estimated $100,000, followed by Beyoncé , who is estimated at $80,000.
  • She was tagged "The Digital Download Queen" on account of her songs being downloaded over 75,000,000 times combined.
  • While filming a music video for her song "We Found Love" in Ireland, the farmer whose land was borrowed as a setting for the video, asked the crew to stop filming and leave the land after he objected to Rihanna's revealing outfits and state of undress, which he deemed as "inappropriate".
  • Was signed onto Def Jam Recordings at age 16.
  • I love the high-risk (guys). I don't like cream puff, corny guys. Usually, they are the nice guys, the ones that won't hurt you. They will pull out the chair for you and the whole nine yards. Everything is perfect and boring. I like the risk, I like the edge. That's the thrill for me.
  • [on Fashion] Wear the clothes. Don't let them wear you.
  • [on Jesse Williams ] Jesse, who's in my music video for "Russian Roulette", is so hot!
  • I love flirting at the moment. I'm single and I'm enjoying my freedom. But I don't give my phone number out that often. But if I'm dating, I check the boy from the top to the bottom.
  • [on what a man needs to impress her] He has to be good in bed and the size matters. You know what I mean? The inner beauty counts as well, but without a toy it doesn't make it fun.

Contribute to this page

  • Learn more about contributing

More from this person

  • View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro

More to explore

Recently viewed.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna Biography

Birthday: February 20 , 1988 ( Pisces )

Born In: Saint Michael, Barbados

Robyn Rihanna Fenty popularly known as Rihanna is a Barbadian singer-songwriter who gave us hits like ‘Pon de Replay’, ‘SOS’, ‘Umbrella’, and ‘Take a Bow’. A very successful artist still in the prime of her youth, she has already sold over 41 million albums and 150 million songs worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time. Born in Barbados, she grew up listening to reggae music and began singing when she was quite young. Disturbed by her chaotic family life and the constant arguments between her parents, she immersed herself in music and before long realized that she wanted to be a professional singer. She formed a musical group while still in high school and got an opportunity to an audition with music producer Evan Rodgers who was highly impressed by the teenager’s talents. He asked the girl to move to New York in order to pursue a full-time career as a singer which she gladly did. Her debut album was soon released and Rihanna became a musical sensation before long. Her peppy, foot-tapping songs became the hot favorites of the youngsters motivating her to venture into films as well. Pretty, young and highly talented, she is today regarded as a teen idol and a fashion icon. Rihanna also puts her fame to good use and is actively involved with several charitable causes

Rihanna

Recommended For You

Monica Braithwaite Biography

Nick Name: Rihanna, RiRi, Caribbean Queen, The Barbados Babe

Also Known As: Robyn Rihanna Fenty

Age: 36 Years , 36 Year Old Females

Spouse/Ex-: Chris Brown

father: Ronald Fenty

mother: Monica Braithwaite

siblings: Jamie Fenty, Kandy Fenty, Rajad Fenty, Rorrey Fenty, Samantha Fenty

Born Country: Barbados

Pop Singers Hip Hop Singers

Height: 5'8" (173 cm ), 5'8" Females

You wanted to know

What are some of rihanna's popular hit songs.

Rihanna has many hit songs, including "Umbrella," "Work," "Diamonds," "We Found Love," and "Love on the Brain."

What is Rihanna's makeup brand called?

Has rihanna won any acting awards, what is rihanna's clothing line called, where is rihanna originally from.

Recommended Lists:

Rihanna is not only a successful singer, but also a savvy businesswoman with her own makeup line, Fenty Beauty, which gained widespread acclaim for its inclusive range of shades.

She is known for her philanthropic efforts, including founding the Clara Lionel Foundation, which supports education and emergency response programs around the world.

Best Cameo (2013)
Favorite R&B Artist
Favorite R&B Artist
Favorite R&B Artist
Favorite Music Video
Favorite Pop Artist
Favorite Song
Favorite Music Collaboration
Favorite R&B Song
Billboard Chart Achievement Award
Top Radio Songs Artist
Top R&B Song
Top R&B Album
Top R&B Artist
Top Streaming Artist
Top Digital Songs Artist
Top Social Artist
Top Dance Artist
Top Hot 100 Artist
Top Pop Artist
Top R&B Artist
Top Female Artist
Top Artist
Top Radio Songs Artist
Top Digital Media Artist
Top Radio Song
Top R&B Album
Top Hot 100 Artist
Top Digital Songs Artist
Top Social Artist
Top Dance Artist
Top Streaming Artist
Top Streaming Song (Audio)
Top Radio Song
Top Streaming Song (Video) (2010)
Top Digital Song
Top Hot 100 Song
Top R&B Song
Top R&B Album
Top Digital Media Artist
Top Artist
Top Rap Song
Top Radio Songs Artist
Top Female Artist
Top R&B Artist
Female Hot 100 Artist of the Year
Pop 100 Artist of the Year
Female Artist of the Year
Best Rap/Sung Performance
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Best Short Form Music Video (2011)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Best Dance Recording
Best Rap Song
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Video of the Year (2011)
Video of the Year (2007)
Monster Single of the Year (2007)

See the events in life of Rihanna in Chronological Order

Seth, D.

How To Cite

People Also Viewed

Monica Braithwaite Biography

Also Listed In

© Famous People All Rights Reserved

History and Biography

Rihanna   Biography

Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, on February 20, 1988. She is a well-known singer, songwriter, model, dancer, actress, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and music producer of Barbadian and American nationality.

Rihanna is the daughter of Monica Braithwaite, a retired public accountant, and Ronald Fenty, a commercial supervisor from both Barbados and Ireland. She has two brothers of his parents and three half-brothers by his father side. She went to Charles F. Broome School, where she attended elementary school, and Combermere School, where she won both the talent contest and the beauty pageant in 2004. As a child, she suffered from severe headaches, associated with the constant arguments her parents maintained due to Ronald Fenty’s addiction to cocaine. However, when Rihanna was 14 years old, they divorced, and the headaches ceased.

Her musical career began when she formed a musical trio with two of her classmates in 2003 . By that time, the American music producer Evan Rogers was vacationing with his wife in Barbados. A friend of Rihanna contacted his wife and told him about her. Convinced by his wife, Evan called the trio to an audition, in which Rihanna prevailed before her two companions with her voice, singing Emotion , of the band Destiny’s Child, and Hero , of the singer Mariah Carey. Evan Rogers then arranged a second audition, but this time without her partners and with the presence of her mother. Pleased with what he heard, he invited Rihanna to record a demo in the United States, which was sent to different record companies.

This model went through several hands, up to rapper Jay-Z, who had just obtained the position of president and CEO of the label Def Jam. Jay-Z was only able to listen to Rihanna singing Pon de Replay to feel enthusiastic, although he had his doubts. So, he called Rihanna for an audition in New York, where he convinced both Jay-Z and L.A. Reid that they wanted her in Def Jam. After signing with the label, Rihanna rejected the other offers she had and went to live with Evan Rogers and his wife in the United States.

In 2005, his song Pon de Replay was in the top five of the summer music charts of fifteen countries, among which we can mention the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100. She even reached the number one spot in the Hot Dance Club Songs. By August of that same year, Rihanna released her first album, Music of the Sun, with which she obtained the gold certification of the Association of the record industry of the United States because it sold more than half million units. Rihanna also sang her album at the pre-gala of the MTV Premios Vido Music Awards that same year.

The following year she released her second album, A Girl Like Me , which was very well received as well, as it was ranked number five of the most listened to songs in the United States and the United Kingdom, and in Canada ranked first. On May 31, 2007, Rihanna releases her third album Good Girl Gone Bad. It was with this that she achieved global recognition because beyond the numerous sales of the album made all over the world, which today totals more than 6 and a half million copies , she took it on a tour with more than 80 presentations both in Europe and in North America. In addition to giving her the nomination of several Grammy Awards in 2008, of which she won the Best Collaboration of Rap/Sung.

By November 2009, released her fourth album, Rated R, with which she began her tour The Last Girl on Earth, which featured 57 shows that started in Europe and ended in Australia. The following year she collaborated with Eminem on the song Love the Way You Lie , which was the best-selling song of 2010 in the United Kingdom. That same year, she released her fifth album, Loud , which contained the single Only Girl (In the World) , with which she won the Best Recording Dance Award at the Grammys. In 2011, she released another successful album, Talk That Talk, and in 2012 she collaborated with Coldplay on Princess of China and with Drake on Take Care.

She was also chosen as the best international artist at the Brit Awards for the second consecutive time and won the MTV Music Award for the best video of 2012, being the first woman to receive it several times. In September, she released her seventh album Unapologetic , and in 2013 she won the Grammy for Best Short Music Video thanks to We Found Love . By 2015, the Recording Industry Association of the United States revealed that the artist had sold more than 100 million copies. In 2016, Rihanna released her eighth album and last so far, Anti .

Beyond her musical career, Rihanna participated in 2006 as an actress in Bring it On All or Nothing , although with terrible criticism. She also produced the Styled to Rock series in 2012. She also participated in This Is the End , 2013; Home, of 2015; and It is known that she will appear in the Bates Motel series. She has acted in commercials for Kodak and Samsung, has launched her own fragrance, Rebelle, and has helped in multiple charity events.

rihanna brief biography

You may like

Peso Pluma Biography

Natanael Cano

Xavi Biography

Paulina Rubio

History of Yahritza y Su Esencia

Yahritza y Su Esencia

Fernando Botero

rihanna brief biography

Fernando Botero Biography

Fernando Botero Angulo (April 19, 1932 – September 15, 2023) was a sculptor, painter, muralist, and draftsman, hailing from Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. He was a Colombian artist known and celebrated for infusing a substantial volume to human and animal figures in his works.

Early Years and Beginnings

Fernando Botero was born into an affluent Paisa family , composed of his parents, David Botero and Flora Angulo, along with his older brother Juan David, who was four years his senior, and his younger brother, Rodrigo, who would be born four years after Fernando, in the same year that their father passed away. In 1938, he enrolled in primary school at the Ateneo Antioqueño and later entered the Bolivariana to continue his high school education. However, he was expelled from the institution due to an article he published in the newspaper El Colombiano about Picasso , as well as his drawings that were considered obscene. As a result, he graduated from high school at the Liceo of the University of Antioquia in 1950.

In parallel to his studies, Fernando attended a bullfighting school in La Macarena at the request of one of his uncles. However, due to an issue related to bullfighting, Botero left the bullring and embarked on a journey into painting. In 1948, he held his first exhibition in Medellín. Two years later, he traveled to Bogotá where he had two more exhibitions and had the opportunity to meet some intellectuals of the time. He then stayed at Isolina García’s boarding house in Tolú, which he paid for by painting a mural. Once again in Bogotá, he won the second prize at the IX National Artists Salon with his oil painting “Facing the Sea” .

“Ephemeral art is a lesser form of expression that cannot be compared to the concept of art conceived with the desire for perpetuity. What many people fail to understand is that Picasso is a traditional artist”- Fernando Botero

Due to the prize from the IX Salon and the sale of several of his works, Fernando Botero traveled to Spain in 1952 to enroll at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. There, he lived by selling drawings and paintings in the vicinity of the Prado Museum. In 1953, he went to Paris with filmmaker Ricardo Irrigarri, and later, they both traveled to Florence. Here, he entered the Academy of San Marco, where he was heavily influenced by Renaissance painters such as Piero della Francesca, Titian, and Paolo Uccello.

Career and Personal Life

In 1955, Botero returned to Colombia to hold an exhibition featuring several of his works created during his time in Europe, but it was met with a lukewarm reception from the public.

Fernando Botero Biography

Woman With a Mirror / Foto:Luis García (Zaqarbal) / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Spain (CC BY-SA 3.0 ES)

In 1956, he married Gloria Zea, with whom he would later have three children: Fernando, Juan Carlos, and Lina. The couple traveled to Mexico City, where Fernando Botero was eager to see the works of Mexican muralists, but this experience left him disillusioned. Consequently, he began searching for his own artistic style, drawing influence from both the Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo and the Colombian artist Alejandro Obregón . In this quest, he started experimenting with volume, initially in still lifes, and gradually extending this approach to other elements.

In 1957, he successfully exhibited in New York, showcasing his new artistic sensibility. The following year, he returned to Bogotá, where he was appointed as a professor at the School of Fine Arts at the National University of Colombia . He presented his work “La Camera Degli Sposi” at the X Colombian Artists Salon , winning the first prize and becoming the country’s most prominent painter. This piece sparked some controversy as it was initially censored for being almost a parody of Andrea Mantegna’s “La Cámara de los Esposos”. However, it was later reinstated in the exhibition on the advice of Marta Traba. Subsequently, Fernando Botero exhibited his works in various spaces in the United States, where a businessman from Chicago purchased “La Camera Degli Sposi” .

“Fernando Botero and his works are the finest ambassadors of our country in this land of navigators and discoverers, of poets and fado singers”- Juan Manuel Santos

In 1960, Botero separated from Gloria Zea and traveled to New York. He led a modest life here as the New York art scene was primarily inclined towards abstract expressionism. Consequently, Botero was influenced by artists like Pollock, which led him to experiment with color, brushwork, and format, to the point of nearly abandoning his distinctive style characterized by the manipulation of volume. Aware of this, Botero returned to his usual style of flat colors and figurative representations.

Starting in 1962, he began a series of exhibitions in both Europe and the United States, as well as in Colombia. By 1970, the year his son Pedro was born to his second wife, Cecilia Zambrano, Fernando Botero had already become the world’s most sought-after sculptor. However, in 1974, his son Pedro tragically died in a traffic accident, leading to his second divorce and leaving significant marks on his artistic endeavors.

In 1978, the Colombian painter married Sophia Vari , a renowned Greek artist with whom he shared a significant part of his life, until sadly, she passed away in May 2023.

Since 1983, Fernando Botero has been exhibiting his works and donating them to various cities around the world. As a result, we can find his pieces in the streets of Medellín, Barcelona, Oviedo, Singapore, and Madrid, among others. In 2008, the Autonomous University of Nuevo León in Mexico conferred upon him an honorary Doctorate.

Renowned Colombian artist, Fernando Botero, died on September 15, 2023 , in Monaco at the age of 91 due to pneumonia . His artistic legacy will endure forever. In his hometown, seven days of mourning were declared.

Fernando Botero Biography

Pedrito a Caballo, Fernando Botero (1975).

Top 10 Famous works by Fernando Botero

Some of the most recognized works by Colombian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero:

  • “Pedrito on Horseback” / “Pedrito a Caballo” (1974): This is an oil painting on canvas measuring 194.5 cm x 150.5 cm. For Botero, this work is his masterpiece and a refuge during a personal tragedy. The child depicted is Pedro, his son from his second marriage, who tragically passed away in an accident when he was young.
  • “Mona Lisa at 12 Years Old” / “Mona lisa a los 12 años” (1978): This piece stands out as a unique version of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, the Mona Lisa . Painted in oil on canvas and measuring 183 cm x 166 cm, Botero incorporates his characteristic style of voluptuous and rounded figures into this work, which has become one of his most distinctive pieces.
  • “Woman’s Torso” / “Torso de Mujer” (1986): It is a majestic bronze sculpture that rises to an impressive height of approximately 2.48 meters. It is often affectionately referred to as “La Gorda” (“The Fat One”). This artwork finds its home in Parque de Berrío, located in the captivating city of Medellín.
  • “Woman with Mirror” / “Mujer con Espejo” (1987): An imposing bronze sculpture weighing 1000 kg. It is located in Plaza de Colón, in the heart of Madrid, Spain. The artwork captivates the gaze with the portrayal of a woman peacefully lying face down on the ground, holding a mirror in her hands. Her expression reflects deep introspection and enigmatic melancholy.
  • “The Orchestra” / “La Orquesta” (1991): In this oil on canvas artwork, measuring 200 cm x 172 cm, Botero presents a band of musicians with a singer, all immersed in a spirit of celebration. The artist aims to convey a sense of harmony and joy through his portrayal.
  • “Woman Smoking” / “Mujer Fumando” (1994): It is a creation executed in watercolor, spanning dimensions of 122 cm x 99 cm. In this work, Maestro Botero skillfully captures the essence of a woman elegantly holding a cigarette between her fingers. His meticulous focus on voluptuous forms, posture, and the serene expression of the figure masterfully combine to emphasize the sensuality and profound intimacy of the moment captured in the artwork.
  • “Man on Horseback” / “Hombre a Caballo” (1996): This bronze sculpture is one of the most iconic works in the artist’s career. It depicts a rider in a majestic and proud posture. Over the years, this imposing work has been exhibited in multiple cities around the world, solidifying its place as a prominent piece in the sculptor’s body of work.
  • “The Horse” / “El Caballo” (1997): This iconic sculpture showcases a horse of majestic presence and a distinctive rounded form, sculpted in bronze and measuring approximately 3 meters in height. This masterpiece reflects Botero’s profound passion for horses while also serving as a powerful representation of the mythical Trojan Horse.
  • “The Death of Pablo Escobar” / “La muerte de Pablo Escobar” (1999): This artwork, created using the oil on canvas technique, has dimensions of 58 cm x 38 cm. While not considered a masterpiece, this artistic piece represents one of the most significant moments in Colombia’s history. Fernando Botero captures, in his distinctive style, the moment of the death of the drug lord Pablo Escobar , addressing issues related to violence and criminality that have marked the country’s history. An interesting detail is that, although Pablo Escobar admired Fernando Botero’s art, it cannot be said that the admiration was mutual. The painter created two works depicting the death of the drug trafficker.
  • “Boterosutra Series” / “Serie Boterosutra” (2011): This work by Botero is part of an erotic art collection called Boterosutra , marking a milestone in the history of Colombian art as the first artistic representation of sexual intimacy between lovers. This series comprises around 70 small-sized pieces created using various techniques, including colored drawings, watercolors, brushstrokes, and also black and white, all of which constitute one of the most contemporary works by the painter.

Ryan Reynolds

Biography of Ryan Reynolds

Biography of Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Rodney Reynolds was born on October 23, 1976 in Vancouver, Canada, and he is a well-known actor. When Ryan was born, his mother, Tammy, was a student and a salesperson, while his father, Jim, worked in wholesale food sales and also excelled as a semi-professional boxer. In addition, Ryan has three older siblings.

He studied in his hometown of Vancouver until 1994 when he decided to join a theater group as an extracurricular activity while attending Kwantlen College. However, his passion for acting became a vocation, and Ryan dropped out of college to devote all his time and energy to his acting career.

Debut as an actor

He quickly landed small roles in successful and memorable TV series such as “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “The X-Files”. In 1998, his big break came with the series “Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place”, which ran until 2001 and catapulted him to fame. The show became very popular thanks to its great comedic content, an area where Reynolds demonstrated perfect skill, but this was not the first time that Ryan had made a name for himself in a Hollywood comedy, as he had already been in “Life During Wartime” in 1997.

After working in several minor jobs, Ryan got his first major role as a protagonist in the crazy “Van Wilder – Animal Party”, where he played a college party organizer. The success of the film opened doors for him to work alongside Michael Douglas in “Till Death Do Us Part”, support Wesley Snipes in “Blade Trinity” or star in the horror movie “The Amityville Horror”. However, at this stage of his career, Ryan stood out mainly as a protagonist in comedies such as “Just Friends”, “Waiting” and “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle”. This led him to want to leave his comedic side behind, getting involved in different projects such as the thriller “Smokin’ Aces”, the independent film “Adventureland” and the action film “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”. Later on, he also participated in romantic films such as “The Proposal” and “Definitely, Maybe”. However, recognition of his acting ability did not come until Ryan was nominated for a Goya Award for his demanding role in “Buried”. It is worth noting that he also brought to life the comic book hero “Green Lantern” and the renowned “Deadpool”.

Contracts, curiosities

Prestigious brands like Hugo Boss have not been oblivious to Ryan Reynolds’ popularity, charisma, and good looks, offering him contracts to be the face of one of their fragrances : Boss Bottled Night, a fragrance that, through great advertising, managed to convey an irresistible seductive effect.

Two curiosities can be highlighted from his work: first, the nearly 10 kilos of solid muscle he gained thanks to rigorous physical training to bring Hannibal King to life in “Blade: Trinity”; and second, his appearance on the animated TV series Zeroman, in which he lent his voice to the character Ty Cheese. In addition, like many Hollywood stars, Ryan Reynolds has an eccentricity outside the world of entertainment: a great passion for motorcycles , of which he owns three collector’s items, one of which was designed exclusively for him and is none other than a Harley Davidson.

Romantic relationships

Regarding his personal life, Ryan Reynolds was in a romantic relationship with singer Alanis Morissette from 2002 to 2007. The couple got engaged in 2004, but in July 2006, People magazine reported that they had separated, although neither of them officially confirmed the news. Shortly after, in February 2007, they decided to end their engagement by mutual agreement. In May 2008, Reynolds announced his engagement to actress Scarlett Johansson , and they got married on September 27 of the same year. However, in December 2010, the couple announced in a statement to People magazine that they had decided to end their marriage.

So, on September 9, 2012, he married the actress Blake Lively in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. In October 2014, they announced that they were expecting their first child, and in December of that same year, Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively became parents with the birth of their daughter: Ines. Later, on April 14, 2016, his wife’s second pregnancy was confirmed, and on September 30, 2016, he became a father for the second time to a boy named James.

Biography of Tom Hanks

Biography of Tom Hanks

Thomas Jeffrey Hanks, born July 9, 1956 in Concord, California, United States, is an actor known as Tom Hanks. Hanks was raised by his father Amos Mefford Hanks, who worked as a cook of English food, and his mother Janet Marylyn, a nurse. He was raised with the values of the Catholic and Mormon religion. During his time at Skyline High School in Oakland, he attended theater classes with his best friend. During his adolescence, Hanks demonstrated his acting talent and won the Best Theater Actor award at his institute. Later, he enrolled in Chabot College in Hayward, California and two years later did a exchange at California State University, Sacramento.

1981 – Debut as an actor

In 1979, the Hanks family moved to New York, which gave Tom the opportunity to debut as a supporting actor in the horror film “Sabe que estás sola” in 1981. Two years later, he landed a lead role in another film. Additionally, he did his first television work in the comedy series “Bosom Buddies.” Later, he decided to move to Los Angeles to participate in “Despedida de soltero” in 1984, although the film was not very successful, it allowed him to be discovered by Ron Howard, who later contacted him to offer a role in “Splash” in 1984.

Since then, Tom starred in several comedy films such as “Amigos del alma” (1980), “Esta casa es una ruina” (1986), “Big” (1988), “No matarás… al vecino” (1989), “Socios y sabuesos” (1989), and “Joe contra el volcán” (1990). His father was always very important in his career, constantly encouraging him to keep fighting for his dream. On several occasions, he helped him to get small roles. He also supported his participation in the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Cleveland, Ohio. Tom had already made some appearances in series like “Vacaciones en el mar”, “Happy Days”, “Taxi”, or “Family Ties”.

“The King of Comedy”

After a small role in the horror film “He Knows You’re Alone” (1980) directed by Armand Mastroianni, he starred in several comedies that typecast him in comedic roles. His charming personality and natural talent contributed to his growing popularity. Definitely his consecration came in the eighties, he was cataloged as the king of comedy . Thanks to “Big” (1988), he achieved great success for his performance, receiving the Los Angeles Critics Award and an Oscar nomination . Although he had a bit of a downfall after that, he regained momentum as a disillusioned former baseball pitcher who trains a women’s team in “A League of Their Own” (1992).

Tom considered it appropriate to change direction and tackle other stories, to move away from comedy a little. So, he eagerly sought more intense themes where he could showcase his versatility. With his work in “The Bonfire of the Vanities” (1989), directed by Brian de Palma, he attempted to take the first step to break away from light comedies, but the result was not as expected. However, his career took off again with his portrayal of an AIDS-stricken lawyer in “Philadelphia” (1992), directed by Jonathan Demme, an intense character that was quite a challenge. His effort was rewarded with an Oscar. He renewed his commercial success with “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), directed by Nora Ephron, where he teamed up with Meg Ryan, and worked with her again in “You’ve Got Mail” (1998).

Some of his most acclaimed performances

In the mid-90s, Hanks established himself as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. It’s worth mentioning that his career enjoyed significant success. For his role in Robert Zemeckis’ “ Forrest Gump ” (1994), this has been one of the most striking films of the decade, he was again deserving of an Oscar , a prize that increased, turning him into one of the best-paid actors in Hollywood. With the comedy “The Wonders” (1996), he made his directorial debut.

Later, he did the same in the field of production with the TV series “From the Earth to the Moon,” a work that took him several years. Hanks had the lead role in the feature film “Saving Private Ryan” (1997), directed by Steven Spielberg , with this role he was nominated for the Academy Award, although the film received five Oscars. In 2000, he worked with Robert Zemeckis again in the film “Cast Away,” a film in which his solo performance was praised, for which he received an Oscar nomination.

Between 2003 and 2004, he repeated his collaboration with Spielberg in “Catch Me If You Can” and also in “The Terminal.” In 2006, he starred in the hit film “The Da Vinci Code,” the cinematic version of Dan Brown’s controversial work. Starting in 2014, Hanks’ films have grossed over 4.2 billion in countries such as the United States and Canada, and over 8.4 billion in the rest of the world, he is definitely an actor who ensures great success for films. His fame is such that the asteroid (12818) Tomhanks bears his name.

Marriages, children.

The actor has had several marriages throughout his life. His first marriage was to Samantha Lewes in 1978, from which two children were born: Colin Hanks in 1977 and Elisabeth Ann in 1982. However, the couple divorced in 1985. Later, in 1988, he married actress and producer Rita Wilson , with whom he had two additional children: Chester Marlon in 1991 and Truman Theodore in 1996. In recent years, the actor has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which requires a strict diet and daily care to maintain his health.

Marc Anthony

Biography of Marc Anthony

Biography of Marc Anthony

Marc Anthony (born September 16, 1968) is an American salsa singer and actor , born in New York. His real name is Marco Antonio Muñiz Rivera . From a young age, he has been involved in music, growing up with rock and rhythm & blues. His parents, Felipe Muñiz and Guillermina Rivera, discovered his passion and musical ability when he was a child. During his teenage years, to earn money, he began singing at bars and nightclubs , and quickly gained popularity. He was contacted by one of the members of the Latin Rascals group, and their producer Louie Vega invited him to record several albums with the Atlantic Records label.

Beginnings as a singer

One of Marc Anthony’s most successful musical products was the album “Rebel”, which achieved some success on the disco music charts. In 1992, his career in the salsa world took off when the famous Tito Puente took him as an opening act for a concert at Madison Square Garden. A year later, he recorded a salsa version of a song by Juan Gabriel that received excellent reviews and great popularity in the musical circles of New York. Soon, Marc Anthony appeared in several television productions and began to receive offers for concerts. After a few years, he was recognized as the new “king of salsa”. During the 1990s, his lyrics occupied the top position in Latin America and also in the United States.

The new “musical phenomenon”

Marc Anthony became a massively successful musical phenomenon , comparable to the success of Héctor Lavoe. At the same time, he continued to develop his acting career, appearing in films such as “Bringing out the Dead” directed by Martin Scorsese; “Big Night” directed by Stanley Tucci; “Hackers,” and “The Capeman,” a Broadway musical directed by singer and songwriter Paul Simon. He also performed the main theme of the soundtrack of “The Mask of Zorro” (1998), in which Antonio Banderas was the lead actor.

Third salsa album “Against the Stream”

That same year, he worked on the production of his third salsa album: “Contra la Corriente,” undoubtedly many salsa critics and aficionados affirm that it was the best album of his career, for which he received a Grammy for Best Latin-Tropical Album. In 1999, he released the album “Marc Anthony” to the market, this album undoubtedly demonstrates a new stage in his musical career, as it combined salsa with pop and also featured songs in English, in order to reach and conquer the Anglo-Saxon audience and market.

The first single, “I Need to Know,” put him in the top positions of the North American charts: it remained in the Top 10 of the Billboard for eleven weeks and eight more weeks in the Top 40. He also released the Spanish version, titled “Dímelo.” With this song, he won the Grammy for Best Latin Song of the Year and was number one on the Latin Billboard chart. He quickly released the second single, “You Sang to Me,” repeating the success of the previous one and selling over two million copies of the album.

Starting the new millennium, he released a greatest hits salsa album titled “Desde el principio.” After that, Marc Anthony went on a extensive tour that took him through the United States. All magazines and press talked about his triumphant concert at Madison Square Garden. Then he was in Canada and Central America. At that time, Marc Anthony received the admiration of his fans when he helped with his charitable work for the victims of Hurricane George, in sum, he founded a foundation that bears his name.

International tours

In 2011, he started the Dos Mundos Tour, with the company of Alejandro Fernández , a concert across Latin America. The following year, he was in Colombia at the Manacacías Summer Festival, many people from different parts of the country traveled to attend his concert. He had a significant participation in the 53rd International Song Festival of Viña del Mar, Chile, where he sang the song “¿Y cómo es él?” from his album “Iconos”. He received the highest distinction.

On March 3, 2012, Marc returned to Uruguay after 17 years and gave his performance at the Charrúa Stadium in Montevideo with an attendance of 25,000 spectators. In the GIGANT3S TOUR, he performed in several North American cities alongside Chayanne and Marco Antonio Solís . In 2013, he released his album 3.0. In 2014, he was the big winner of four of the five awards for which he was nominated at the Premios Lo Nuestro. Additionally, his career was recognized as one of the most successful Latin music artists. In 2016, he released a song called “Deja que te bese” with the collaboration of Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz, the song has over 50 million views on Youtube.

In September 2016, he carried out his “Marc Anthony Live” tour which included 5 dates at Radio City Music Hall. His private life has been somewhat controversial and has been exposed to various comments. He had his first daughter in 1994, Arianna Rosado-Muñiz, a product of his relationship with a former police officer from New York. In 2000 he married for the first time to Dayanara Torres, with whom he had two children. He later helped Jennifer Lopez in the production of the song “Sway” for the soundtrack of the movie Shall We Dance?. They then fell in love and after only one month of relationship, they got engaged in March 2004.

The couple had twins and Jennifer sold the exclusive photos of the children to People Magazine. However, after a few years, the couple decided to end their marriage on April 9, 2012. It is said that everything started when Jennifer Lopez met dancer Casper Smart and began a relationship with him two months after her separation from Marc. Later, Marc started a relationship with Venezuelan model Shannon de Lima, whom he married in 2014. Despite this, his relationship with Jennifer, the mother of his children, is harmonious, and he even participated in her song “Olvídame y pega la vuelta” in 2016. Two years earlier, the Puerto Rican singer made an impact with the hit song “Flor Pálida”.

On January 28, 2023, he married Nadia Ferreira in an incredible wedding surrounded by stars from film, music, and sports. The ceremony took place at the Perez Art Museum in Miami, with David Beckham as the best man.

  Ver esta publicación en Instagram   Una publicación compartida por Nadia Ferreira (@nadiatferreira)

Paul McCartney

Biography of Paul McCartney

Biography of Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney (born June 18, 1942) is a singer. He was born in Liverpool, England. His mother, Mary Patricia, was a nurse, while his father, James McCartney, was a volunteer firefighter. During Paul’s birth, his father was not present as he was fighting in the Battle of England during World War II. Paul grew up in a religious and strict environment, with his mother Catholic and his father Protestant, but later became agnostic. After returning from the war, his father devoted himself to selling cleaning products and, in his free time, played in bars.

Death of his mother

That’s why his son developed a deep love for music. He stood out in school for his intelligence and discipline and studied at Liverpool Institute secondary school, a good free secondary school. In 1954, he met George Harrison, with whom he quickly formed a strong friendship. At the time, McCartney’s mother was the one who kept the household and for work reasons they moved to Allerton, where they lived until 1964. On October 31, 1956, when McCartney was 14 years old, his mother died from a stroke.

After his mother’s death, McCartney was devastated. It took some time for him to return to normal. H is father saw music as a refuge to help his son feel better, so he took him to listen to the Jim Mac’s Jazz Band, where his father played trumpet or piano. He also gave him a trumpet, but when rock and roll became popular, he chose an acoustic guitar. The first song he composed was “I Lost My Little Girl” on that guitar, a Zenith. He also composed “When I’m Sixty-Four” on the home piano.

1957 – Met John Lennon

He met Lennon on July 6th, 1957. McCartney joined The Quarrymen, a school band led by Lennon, in 1958 as the lead guitarist. The band mixed rock and roll and skiffle, a popular music style, with jazz and blues. After several name changes, the band decided to call themselves The Beatles in August 1960 and recruited drummer Pete Best for their move to Hamburg. In 1961, one of its members, Sutcliffe, left the band and McCartney was forced to take over as bassist. They recorded as a backing band for English singer Tony Sheridan on the single My Bonnie.

1963 – “Beatlemania”

They managed to attract the attention of Brian Epstein, who became their manager in January 1962 and a key figure in their later success. With their first hit, “Love Me Do” in 1963, the “Beatlemania” began. John Lennon and Paul wrote a large number of songs together, but later their egos collided and they preferred to write separately. In 1970, The Beatles disbanded. But Paul continued his successful career with songs that reached number one. He recorded his first solo LP, “McCartney”, with songs very different from those that Lennon would write, with commercial melodies for varied tastes.

1980 – Paul McCartney Guinness Records

In 1980, he entered the Guinness Book of Records as the highest-selling songwriter in the world. His theme Yesterday , one of the most celebrated by The Beatles , has around 2,500 versions in the most diverse musical styles. Some of his solo hits are: Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey, Live and Let Die for the James Bond film received the Oscar for best musical theme; Coming Up from his solo album Paul McCartney II. He joined George Martin and Ringo Starr in 1982 for the recording of Tug of War. On Press to play, his next album, was recorded with Eric Stewart.

Awards, arrest, record.

Winner of 18 Grammy Awards, including two Lifetime Achievement Grammy Awards (one with the Beatles and another as a solo artist). He is a vegetarian and an animal rights advocate. He was arrested for marijuana possession in Tokyo in 1980 and was briefly in jail. He participated in the “Live Aid” concert against hunger in Ethiopia in 1985. I n 1990, he achieved the record for the largest attendance at a concert with 184,000 people in Rio de Janeiro. Since 1997 he is Sir Paul McCartney, invested as a knight by Queen Elizabeth II.

2013 – Other awards, marriages.

On February 10, 2013, he received a Grammy for “Best Traditional Pop Album” for his album “Kisses On The Bottom”. Later, he received a special award from PRS for Music in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the composition of his most famous song, “ Yesterday “. These songs, as well as “And I Love Her,” “You Will Not See Me,” and “I’m Looking Through You,” were written inspired by his relationship with British actress Jane Asher. After five years of engagement, the couple broke up due to his infidelity with Francie Schwartz. He married Linda Eastman on March 12, 1969, and together they formed the musical group Wings after the dissolution of the Beatles . In 1999, he presented his collection of poems entitled “Blackbird Singing: Poems and Lyrics (1965-1999)”. After the death of his wife, McCartney experienced deep sadness.

In 2002, Paul McCartney married former model Heather Mills in an Irish castle. After a long legal battle in the London Supreme Court, in 2008 Mills was authorized to collect one fifth of the 250 million dollars she had demanded from McCartney for their four-year marriage. In 2011, McCartney married Nancy Shevell in a civil ceremony in London on October 9th of that year.

Relevant aspects of his life and musical career

  • With 60 gold records and the sale of over 100 million albums and singles as a solo artist and with The Beatles, McCartney is recognized as one of the most successful composers and artists of all time.
  • As a solo artist in 1999 and as a member of The Beatles in 1988, he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
  • As a solo artist and with The Beatles, he has been recognized with twenty-one Grammy Awards.
  • 32 of the songs that McCartney has written or co-written have reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
  • As of 2014, he had sold over 15 million certified units by the RIAA in the United States.
  • In 1997, McCartney was elevated to the rank of knight for his services to music.
  • In 1965, McCartney, Lennon, Harrison and Starr were named members of the Order of the British Empire .
  • He has been married three times and is the father of five children.
  • He has participated in projects to help international charities related to issues such as animal rights, seal hunting, landmine cleaning, vegetarianism, poverty and musical education.
  • He ranks 11th on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Singers.
  • He ranks first on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Artists as a member of The Beatles.
  • He ranks third on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Bassists.
  • Only surpassed by Bob Dylan , he ranks second on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Songwriters.

Celebrities

Nicola Porcella Biography

Nicola Porcella

Nicola Porcella Biography Nicola Emilio Porcella Solimano (February 5, 1988), better known as Nicola Porcella, is an actor and TV...

Wendy Guevara Biography

Wendy Guevara

Wendy Guevara Biography Wendy Guevara Venegas (August 12, 1993), better known as Wendy Guevara, is an influencer, actress, singer, and...

Paris Hilton Biography

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton Biography Paris Whitney Hilton (February 17, 1981), better known as Paris Hilton, is a socialite, businesswoman, model, DJ,...

Biography of Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio

Biography of Leonardo DiCaprio Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is a renowned actor and film producer who has won numerous awards within...

Biography of Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

Biography of Denzel Washington Denzel Washington is an African American actor born on December 28, 1954 in Mount Vernon, New...

Biography of Ryan Reynolds

Biography of Ryan Reynolds Ryan Rodney Reynolds was born on October 23, 1976 in Vancouver, Canada, and he is a...

Biography of Brad Pitt

Biography of Brad Pitt William Bradley Pitt, better known as Brad Pitt, was born on December 18, 1963 in Shawnee,...

Entrepreneurs

Luciano Benetton Biography

Luciano Benetton

Luciano Benetton Biography Luciano Benetton (May 13, 1935) Born in Ponzano, Treviso, Italy. An Italian businessman and fashion designer, co-founder...

Louis Vuitton Biography

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Biography Louis Vuitton (August 4, 1821 – February 25, 1892) businessman and fashion designer. Founder of the leather...

Peter Drucker biography

Peter Drucker

Peter Drucker biography Peter Drucker (November 19, 1909 – November 11, 2005) writer, consultant, entrepreneur, and journalist. He was born...

Paul Allen biography

Paul Allen biography Paul Gardner Allen (January 21, 1953) entrepreneur, business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He was born in Seattle,...

Nik Powell biography

Nik Powell biography Nik Powell (November 4, 1950) businessman and co-founder of the Virgin Group. He was born in Great...

Most Popular

History of Queen

Henri Fayol

Biography of Walt Disney

Walt Disney

Biography of Taiichi Ohno

Taiichi Ohno

rihanna brief biography

Philip B. Crosby

rihanna brief biography

Kaoru Ishikawa

Ariana Grande Biography

Ariana Grande

Biography of Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler

The fabulous life of Rihanna, from her Barbados roots to the Super Bowl, and Fenty Beauty's game-changing role in makeup

  • Rihanna is one of the most influential artists of her generation.
  • Among other achievements, she has 14 No. 1 songs and nine Grammy Awards.
  • She has also made her mark as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, and makeup mogul.

Insider Today

At just 35 years old, Rihanna has already achieved icon status.

Over the course of her relatively short career, Rihanna has positioned herself as one of the most influential artists of her generation. She is the most successful artist in the history of Billboard's Pop Songs Chart — not to mention her already-lasting mark as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, and makeup mogul.

Here's a complete timeline of Rihanna's biggest achievements and most iconic moments.

As a child in Barbados, Rihanna reportedly used music to escape from "anxieties of a violent home life."

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna — born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988 — was raised in Barbados. She has said that growing up, her father was addicted to drugs and physically abusive towards her mother .

She has also joked that she " annoyed every one of [her] neighbors," and her mom referred to her voice as an "annoying little husky man voice."

Record producer Evan Rogers met Rihanna in 2003, while he was vacationing in Barbados with his wife . The 15-year-old singer told Rogers that being in the music business was "all I've ever wanted to do." She had no formal training in music or dance, but Rogers remembers her remarkable "presence."

"It was more likely a much more urgent need to escape from the anxieties of a violent home life into the illusion of security and boundless love that a life onstage seemed to offer," he told John Seabrook, as recounted in his book "The Song Machine."

"That desire, more than any inborn talent, is what fans will connect to, and that is what record men look for in a new artist. It's the one thing they can't manufacture."

Rihanna signed to Def Jam in 2005. She was taken under the wing of the label's then-president, Jay-Z.

rihanna brief biography

In December 2004, Rihanna recorded the Caribbean jam "Pon de Replay" and sent the song off to several record labels .

In early 2005, a then-16-year-old Rihanna flew to New York City to audition for Def Jam's newly appointed president and CEO, Jay-Z . According to a 2007 interview with The Guardian , she sang a Whitney Houston cover ("For the Love of You") and two originals, one being "Pon de Replay."

"I was like, 'Oh God, he's right there, I can't look, I can't look, I can't look!'" she told The Guardian. "I remember being extremely quiet. I was very shy. I was cold the entire time. I had butterflies. I'm sitting across from Jay-Z. Like, Jay-Z. I was star-struck."

"The audition definitely went well," she continued. "Jay-Z said, 'There's only two ways out. Out the door after you sign this deal. Or through this window.' And we were on the 29th floor. Very flattering."

Rihanna's debut single "Pon de Replay" was an immediate hit.

rihanna brief biography

The studio version of "Pon de Replay" was released in May 2005. The dance-pop, reggae-infused track hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 when Rihanna was just 17 years old.

One year later, in May 2006, she scored her first No. 1 single.

rihanna brief biography

"S.O.S." was the debut single from Rihanna's sophomore album, "A Girl Like Me." It reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 three months after its release on Valentine's Day and maintained its reign for three consecutive weeks.

The game-changing track "Umbrella" was released on March 29, 2007.

rihanna brief biography

As Billboard's Joe Lynch writes, when "Umbrella (feat. Jay-Z)" dropped , "Rihanna already had two albums and four top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits under her belt. But for a burgeoning pop icon, she was short just one thing: An instantly iconic pop smash that would prove she was in it for the long game."

"'Umbrella' was that ubiquitous smash," Lynch writes, "an inescapable hit that hit No. 1, soundtracked the summer of 2017 and introduced Bad Gal RiRi to your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa…basically, anyone with a set of ears."

She took home her first Grammy Award in 2008.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna earned four nominations for the 50th annual Grammy Awards , which was the first time she was recognized by the Recording Academy.

On February 10, 2008, Rihanna and Jay-Z took home the trophy for best rap/sung collaboration. Their smash hit "Umbrella" was also nominated for record of the year, but lost to "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse.

She collaborated with Drake for the first time in 2010.

rihanna brief biography

Just months after they sparked reports of a romance , Rihanna and Drake debuted their first collaborative track, "What's My Name?"

The steamy track was released as the second single from Rihanna's fifth studio album on October 26, 2010. It peaked at No. 1 and even earned the duo a Grammy nomination for best rap/sung collaboration. (It lost, but to another Rihanna song: her 2010 collaboration with Kanye West , "All of the Lights").

"What's My Name?" is especially notable for marking the beginning of the duo's beloved creative relationship , which would later yield hit songs like "Take Care" and "Work."

Rihanna's fifth studio album "Loud" earned her first Grammy nomination for album of the year.

rihanna brief biography

"Loud" was released on November 12, 2010, and spawned three No. 1 songs: "What's My Name?," "Only Girl," and "S&M."

"Loud" earned Rihanna her first and, to date, only Grammy nomination for album of the year , the show's most coveted award. It lost to Adele's "21."

She made her big screen debut with "Battleship" in May 2012.

rihanna brief biography

The summer blockbuster "Battleship" was loosely based on the board game of the same name. It was critically panned , but praise-worthy for Rihanna's big screen debut — for which she was chosen specifically by the film's director, Peter Berg .

"Her videos are super hot and I'd watched them a lot. It clicked for me though after she got assaulted and she went on Diane Sawyer's show and talked very frankly about that night and what happened," Berg told GQ, referring to Rihanna's 2009 assault by then-boyfriend Chris Brown .

"She was so intelligent and articulate," he continued. "I remember thinking, 'Wow. There's much more to this woman than I'd thought.' I then saw her do this stupid little skit on 'Saturday Night Live' where she was in a classroom giving a hard time to these boys. She was funny as all hell! I knew in that moment that the girl could act. No question."

In November 2012, "Unapologetic" became Rihanna's first No. 1 album.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna's seventh studio album shot to the top of the Billboard 200, becoming Rihanna's first No. 1 album , and won the Grammy for best urban contemporary album on January 26, 2014.

The album's "stark, shadowy R&B," wrote Rolling Stone's Jon Dolan , "is confrontationally honest and sung within an inch of its life, whether she's turning a strip-club anthem into a declaration of independence ('Pour It Out') or pleading at the piano ('Stay')."

Rihanna was given the American Music Awards' first-ever Icon Award in 2013.

rihanna brief biography

The 2013 American Music Awards hailed Rihanna as " the voice of our time" (Bill Maher's words) and the best-selling digital artist of all time (Nielsen's official title).

After performing the "Unapologetic" hit single "Diamonds," Rihanna was presented with the first-ever Icon Award by her mother, Monica Braithwaite.

"I know the journey and your career has not always been an easy one," Braithwaite said, according to Rolling Stone . "But tonight, I applaud and admire you for being so strong and so positive and so humble and so focused. I'm so blessed to be part of this historic moment."

She received the CFDA Fashion Icon award in 2014.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna walked the 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) red carpet in a sparkling, sheer gown and little else. But when asked about the daring fashion choice, she laughed it off in a classic Rihanna style: "Do my tits bother you? They're covered in Swarovksi crystals, girl!"

Rihanna was named the creative director of Puma in 2014.

rihanna brief biography

As reported by Time , Rihanna was tapped to oversee a women's line of clothing for Puma, focusing on fitness and training clothes. 

"It really came from her," Adam Petrick, Puma's global brand and marketing director, told The New York Times . "Though we originally started talking about it in terms of advertising, she wanted to express herself in this way. They said to us, 'We can change the face of the brand from a product perspective.'" She did not just want to be a "face."

She was also named a "brand ambassador" for the company, alongside star athletes like Usain Bolt.

The role ultimately led to Rihanna's Fenty x Puma venture, which has yielded fashion moments like the award-winning suede Creepers, iconic fur sliders, and haute-couture athleisure.

Rihanna dropped her most celebrated album yet, "Anti," on January 28, 2016.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna's eighth studio album "Anti" was surprise-released after three years of anticipation. It was unlike anything the pop star had ever released . It went to No. 1 two weeks after its debut (stalled by a Tidal-exclusive release). It eventually became the first album by a Black female artist to spend 300 weeks on the Billboard 200.

Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos called it "a sprawling masterpiece of psychedelic soul" and "a rich full-length statement."

"After more than a decade as a superstar of the singles chart, Rihanna has become an album artist," Spanos wrote. "After years as a singer largely defined by her production, it finally feels like Rihanna is in charge of her own sound, remaking pop on her own terms."

"Anti" was nominated for best urban contemporary album and best recording package at the 2017 Grammy Awards.

The album's biggest hit, "Work," was nominated for record of the year. Two of the album's sleeper hits, "Needed Me" and "Kiss It Better," were nominated for best R&B performance and best R&B song, respectively.

Rihanna's Grammy nominations that year also included album of the year for her work on Drake's "Views" and best rap/sung performance for her vocals on Kanye West's "Famous." She didn't leave the ceremony with any awards ( and fans will never forget ).

Rihanna accepted the Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 VMAs.

rihanna brief biography

Before Rihanna accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards — presented by Drake, who also casually confessed his love to her — she performed a medley of her greatest hits, including "Only Girl in the World," "Rude Boy," and "Bitch Better Have My Money."

Instead of putting on one career-spanning performance of hits, as per tradition for the award, the pop star gave four such performances over the course of the show .

Rihanna was Harvard's Humanitarian of the Year in 2017.

rihanna brief biography

In March 2017, the Harvard University Foundation honored Rihanna as Humanitarian of the Year , in recognition of her dedication to promoting educational programs.

In 2012, Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel Foundation Global Scholarship Program, named after her grandparents, for students from Caribbean countries going to college in the United States.

She also supports the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen Project, which provides education access to tens of millions of young students around the world.

Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in September 2017.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna made her foray into the world of beauty products on September 8, 2017 , when Fenty Beauty was officially made available online and at Sephora.

The makeup line's tour de force was its whopping 40 shades of foundation , which many hailed as the new standard of inclusivity for skin tones. The darkest shades appeared to sell out in record time .

Time magazine even listed Fenty Beauty among its best inventions of the year for 2017, in large part thanks to Rihanna's mission of representation.

"It was important that every woman felt included in this brand," Rihanna told  Time . "We are all so different, with our own unique skin tones, so we started with the 40 foundation shades out the gate."

"I never could have anticipated the emotional connection that women are having with the products and the brand as a whole. Some are finding their shade of foundation for the first time, getting emotional at the counter," Rihanna said. "That's something I will never get over."

She launched Savage x Fenty in May 2018.

rihanna brief biography

Savage x Fenty launched on May 11, 2018. The size-inclusive lingerie line was immediately praised for including people of "all shapes, sizes, and colors," a reputation that it still boasts to this day .

Rihanna channeled the pope at the 2018 Met Gala, for which she was a co-chair.

rihanna brief biography

In one of her more iconic fashion moments, Rihanna attended the 2018 Met Gala in a silver, bedazzled gown  and accompanying robe.

She completed her elaborate look with a Stephen Jones Millinery hat crafted in the style of the pope's tiara. This headdress is normally reserved for religious ceremonies — a nod to the night's theme, "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination."

The complete outfit took 250 hours to sew and 500 hours to hand-embroider .

Rihanna starred in the ensemble film "Ocean's 8," released on June 5, 2018.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna was cast as a hacker named Nine Ball in the heist comedy, which was conceived as an all-female spinoff of the popular "Ocean's 11" series.

While the film received mixed reviews , Rihanna was praised for adding "extra mischief and attitude to the octet," in the words of Film Journal International's Kevin Lally .

She welcomed her first child with A$AP Rocky in May 2022.

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna began dating A$AP Rocky, her longtime friend and collaborator , in late 2020. Two years later, she gave birth to the couple's first child, a son named RZA Athelston Mayers.

Rihanna described motherhood as "legendary" in the family's cover story for British Vogue .

"It's everything. You really don't remember life before, that's the craziest thing ever," she said. "You literally try to remember it — and there are photos of my life before — but the feeling, the desires, the things that you enjoy, everything, you just don't identify with it because you don't even allow yourself mentally to get that far, because… Because it doesn't matter."

Rihanna headlined the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show, where she also revealed her second pregnancy.

rihanna brief biography

Despite not releasing a new album in seven years , Rihanna was tapped to headline the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show, joining the ranks of legends like Beyoncé, Madonna, and Prince.

For her first live performance since 2019, Rihanna delivered a show-stopping medley of hits , from "We Found Love" to "Wild Thoughts," and broke the internet by revealing her growing baby bump .

She reportedly gave birth to her second child in August 2023.

rihanna brief biography

Sources told People that Rihanna feels her family is "complete" after welcoming her second child with Rocky.

rihanna brief biography

  • Main content

Passion doesn’t always come easily. Discover your inner drive and find your true purpose in life.

From learning how to be your best self to navigating life’s everyday challenges.

Discover peace within today’s chaos. Take a moment to notice what’s happening now.

Gain inspiration from the lives of celebrities. Explore their stories for motivation and insight into achieving your dreams.

Where ordinary people become extraordinary, inspiring us all to make a difference.

Take a break with the most inspirational movies, TV shows, and books we have come across.

From being a better partner to interacting with a coworker, learn how to deepen your connections.

Take a look at the latest diet and exercise trends coming out. So while you're working hard, you're also working smart.

Sleep may be the most powerful tool in our well-being arsenal. So why is it so difficult?

Challenges can stem from distractions, lack of focus, or unclear goals. These strategies can help overcome daily obstacles.

Unlocking your creativity can help every aspect of your life, from innovation to problem-solving to personal growth.

How do you view wealth? Learn new insights, tools and strategies for a better relationship with your money.

Rihanna's Life Story: From Island Tomboy to Platinum Pop Sensation

Rihanna's Life Story: From Island Tomboy to Platinum Pop Sensation

From singing into a hairbrush to selling millions of albums worldwide, Rihanna's story is a mixed bag of strength, luck, and perseverance.

Now thriving as a fashion icon and music idol, she often refers to her childhood struggles as the driving force behind her many ventures. Her life wasn't always about making headlines and performing concerts. On the contrary, Rihanna's story begins on a small island with a drug-addicted father and a producer who didn't think she could sing.

Here is Rihanna's life story:

Growing up in a troubled home.

Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20th in 1988, in Saint Michael Parish on the island of Barbados. She was the eldest child born to humble parents. Her mother worked as an accountant and her father was a warehouse supervisor.

Rihanna grew up in a small bungalow along with her two younger brothers. Money was always low throughout her childhood. Yet her father would come home drunk having spent half his paycheck on alcohol and crack. His addictions put tremendous strain on the family and his drug-induced tempers would often turn physical. While her mother was the primary target, on one occasion he turned on Rihanna after she asked to stay 10 more minutes at the beach.

When her father lost his job, everything got worse. Food became scarce, the house was littered with drug paraphernalia, and Rihanna would walk in on her father smoking crack. She closed herself off and would barely speak to anyone. It became so stressful that she suffered from intense headaches, which led to countless exams and the belief that she had a tumor.

At school, things weren't much better. Rihanna was a bright student, particularly in math and chemistry, but her grades began to decline. She was constantly bullied over her light complexion - due to her father's Irish descendence. But Rihanna had been toughened by her father's behavior and would settle the tauntings with her fists.

At seven years old, Rihanna found an escape from her life's chaos. She'd turn on the radio and sing into a hairbrush along with her idols Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Janet Jackson. During these short-lived moments of happiness, Rihanna felt like she belonged. She knew in her heart that her future was in music - although it seemed unlikely to happen while on the small island.

A teen with a dream

At 14, her parents divorced and she was finally free from her crippling headaches. But now her mother had to work full-time, meaning Rihanna had to grow up fast. She helped make ends meet by working a cash register and selling clothes in a stall on the street.

Rihanna was now the primary caretaker of her youngest brother, but she also nurtured her love of music. She drew inspiration from reggae legend Bob Marley , who she considered an example to follow for aspiring artists in the Caribbean.

As time passed, Rihanna couldn't shake the feeling that she could become a star if only the right person heard her sing. So she raised her chances by singing at the beach, at social gatherings, and at her high school talent show - which she won after singing Mariah Carey's "Hero".

Although becoming a singing sensation wasn't her only aspiration at the time. Growing up with brothers also gave her the need to prove she was tough. She embraced a tomboy dress sense and became a cadet, rising to the rank of corporal. After years of bullying and witnessing her father's abusive behavior, Rihanna refused to appear vulnerable to anyone - an attitude she upholds to this day.

First big break

At 15, Rihanna formed a musical trio with her classmates. They performed at every possible venue, mostly covering songs by Destiny's Child. One day, Rihanna's friend revealed that her mother was acquainted with the record producer Evan Rogers, who just happened to be on holiday in Barbados with his wife. Rihanna jumped at the opportunity and asked her friend to set up an audition. The trio had no band name or formal training, but she couldn't miss the chance to be heard.

Soon after, the group arrived at Evan Rogers' hotel suite and waited nervously in the lobby. Rihanna fidgeted while deeply regretting her fashion choice of pink capris with a pink shirt. She hoped her makeup looked passable, considering her mother had never allowed her to wear makeup before.

Finally, the three girls were called in. As soon as Rihanna stepped inside, Evan was instantly taken by her Bajan beauty. Her fierce, green eyes and carefully applied makeup graced her with a presence that made him forget the two other girls existed. However, from experience, Evan  suspected "the pretty one" of the group couldn't sing.

He was wrong. The group performed two songs, and it was clear to Evan that Rihanna was meant for music. The audition ended, he thanked the girls and sent them on their way. It was unclear whether he would follow up or not, but Rihanna clung to the hope that he would.

Soon enough, Evan called and requested that Rihanna and her mother fly over to the United States for a demo recording. Rihanna was over the moon, and after a few visits, she gained her mother's permission to move to Connecticut and live with Evan and his wife while she recorded her very first album.

You may never be good enough for everybody, but you will always be the best for somebody.

The debut that topped the charts

Over the next year, 16-year-old Rihanna recorded four tracks, including a bubbly dancehall jam called " Pon de Replay ". The demo was sent out to various labels, one being Def Jam Recordings , where rapper Jay Z  was just appointed as CEO. The rapper was impressed but considered the songs were 'too big' for the girl singing them. Nevertheless, Jay Z asked her to audition for him so he could see for himself.

Rihanna was now 17 and already on her way to audition for her first record label. She had spent the entire night choosing an outfit and was shaking at the thought of singing in front of Jay Z. Although the moment she began to sing Whitney Housten's "For the Love of You", Jay Z was sold. He could tell by the resolute look in her eyes that she was going to be a star - with or without him. So he asked her to sign with his label. They ended up staying until 3 am sifting through all the details of the contract. But Rihanna didn't mind, her life-long dream was officially afoot.

Over the following month, Rihanna happily worked with various producers to complete her debut album. She chose her favorite track "Pon de Replay" as the lead single and in May 2005, it came second on the US Billboard and was among the top five hits worldwide. Rihanna was now on the map and quickly became a recognized name in the music industry.

Only eight months later, Rihanna released her second album A Girl Like Me , which launched two more hits. The track "SOS" became her first number one single and went Platinum. But before the glitz and glam of fame swept Rihanna away, Jay Z gave her a few words of advice which she still follows today,

Don't change who you are, never forget where you came from, and always stay humble.

Relationship with Chris Brown

At only 19 years old, Rihanna was topping the charts and living the dream. She continued to work with Jay Z and released the smash hit "Umbrella", which won Rihanna her very first Grammy Award.

For her next albums, Rihanna assumed creative control and reinvented her music. As someone who quickly grows bored of the same things, she decided it was time to transform her cutesy image into something risque and sexy. Her music videos became more suggestive and controversial, but her fanbase grew along with her worldwide acclaim.

At 21 years old, her fame gained a different kind of attention. Rihanna began dating Chris Brown, a rapper from an equally turbulent childhood. The relationship was rocky, and on the night before her performance at the 51st Grammy Awards, Rihanna found suspicious texts on his phone. She promptly confronted him while they drove home, only to discover he had cheated on her with a former employee. The argument became heated and Chris threw the first punch. Rihanna, a tough woman with military training, fought back. It became a full-on battle inside the car, where she emerged severely cut and bruised - with marks of strangulation around her neck.

The traumatic event ensued in a media firestorm. But just like she did back in her teens, Rihanna put up her guard and refused to show herself as a vulnerable victim. Instead, she chose to use this experience as another step in her success story. Rihanna became a spokesperson and collaborated with artists such as  Eminem and Kanye West in songs about domestic violence.

However, her familiarity with abusive men made it hard for her to leave the relationship completely. After the restraining order was reduced to enable a professional relationship, Rihanna became involved with Chris once again. Although it didn't take long before she finally decided enough was enough and left him for good.

Sure, you wish you did some things differently. But there is no sense in becoming burdened with regret over things you have no power to change.

Business ventures and influencing generations

Despite her young age, Rihanna's dream of getting her music out into the world falls short of her current reality. Within a decade, she has become a best-selling songwriter, singer, and actress. She has sold over 540 million albums worldwide, won countless awards, and is the youngest solo artist to score 14 Billboard music hits. She has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters, named a major cultural influencer, and even has a national holiday under her name in Barbados.

But Rihanna has never been one to settle. She has also established herself as an edgy entrepreneur in the realms of fashion and beauty. Her latest business venture being her new cosmetic company Fenty Beauty , the first makeup line to offer a largely diverse variety of skin shades.

For all the wealth and fame she has gathered since her debut, Rihanna is eager to put her influence to good use. At only 18, she created Believe Foundation to help terminally ill children. From then on, she has funded countless charity ventures for causes ranging from cancer research to medical supplies for disaster victims. Former President Barack Obama has personally praised her work, stating " You've become a powerful force in the fight to give people dignity."

With a headstrong character and a heart of gold, Rihanna is in a league of her own. She maintains a tenacious resolve to live her life on her own terms while helping others and inspiring upcoming generations to do more. Regardless of the bumps along the way, Rihanna is proud to say she always follows her heart, and encourages you to do the same.

When you follow the things that feel great to you, you can never lose.

Hot Stories

Dan lok | my hero is my teacher, woman “accidentally” forgets to end call before speaking about daughter-in-law, poor boy couldn’t afford to bury his mom - so he takes matters into his own hands, 120 of the best anime quotes of all time, leonardo dicaprio told kate winslet to “let the fat girl thing go”, betty white revealed why she never had kids - and it's an important lesson for everyone, pamela anderson opens up about her 9 disastrous weddings.

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

The Many Marriages of Pamela Anderson

See on Instagram

Pamela Anderson had a fairytale look at weddings from a young age. "I'd meet somebody, fall in love, and it would just be very romantic and it would be love at first sight."

But sadly, none of her nine weddings led to that dream relationship for the 56 year old actress.

While she looks to have found peace and calm in her later years, Anderson's previous relationships were fraught with abuse, drugs, and fear.

How many husbands did Pamela have over the years?

Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee (1995-1998, 2008-2010)

The bad-boy of rock, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, was the first man to sweep Anderson off her feet. The two stars had a whirlwind relationship that resulted in sons Brandon and Dylan. But what was once a fairytale marriage was also incredibly 'tragic,' ending in Tommy Lee being charged with spousal and child abuse.

While the Baywatch babe refers to Tommy Leed as "the only man I ever really loved was Tommy Lee," the two were not able to make it work.

Anderson and Kid Rock (2001-2003, 2006)

Anderson married the controversial rapper and musician a total of four times, though she knew it was a mistake, "right when I got married."

It looks like there was no love lost, as both have confirmed they never spoke again after the split.

Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon (2007, 2013-2015)

Rick Salomon made a name for himself as a sometimes actor and poker player. Salomon turned out to have a serious drug addiction which Anderson only discovered when she found his crack pipe in the Christmas tree. Their marraige was annulled but they reconciled in 2013, thought the second marriage was short-lived.

Pamela Anderson and Jon Peters (2020) Kind of...

While it turned out the two never had an official marriage certificate, Anderson did announce her marraige to movie producer Jon Peters. Husband number five didn't last long, just a mere 12 days before the two split.

Pamela Anderson and Dan Hayhurst (2020-2022)

Anderson met her last husband, Dan Hayhurst, when he was the contractor for her house. The marriage survived two years before they went their separate ways.

"You know, it was more like trying to put a family unit back together. But I wasn't really in love. I just was going through the motions and then realizing, I have nothing in common with this person. Like I was putting people in my life to kind of numb some of the pain or be with someone, companionship, but nothing nothing healthy."

Rude Customer Has a Disagreement Over $6 - Teen Employees Have the Perfect Response

Teens Applauded For the Way They Handled This Angry Customer

Working in customer service can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with rude and demanding clients. That’s particularly true for some teens, who work these jobs for part-time money and are often bullied by adults. Perhaps that’s why people are applauding these teen girls for the way they expertly handled an over-the-top customer.

An Angry Customer

It was a tough day for employees at Keke’s Snow Balls in Texas when an angry woman approached the window. She had placed a pickup order for a snow cone and because of a shift change, the snow cone wasn’t ready. Two days later, the customer came back and demanded a refund of $6.

A girl named Victoria was working the counter and listened to the woman’s complaints. According to Inside Edition , it was immediately clear this woman didn’t want to resolve things in the right way, and was trying to pick a fight. Another employee named Kaeley overheard it all.

“I was just listening in the back and, eventually, I could just hear she’s angry the whole time. So I was like, clearly she just wants to have a problem,” Kaeley recalled to the publication. “And I’m not about that, so I was like, ‘Okay let me just go give her $6 and we can move on, move past this.’ It was $6.”

An Unexpected Turn

At that point, the situation should have been resolved. However, Kaeley noticed the sign outside the window had fallen over during the dispute. So, she opened the window to fix it. That’s when the woman came by, slapped the sign out of the 17-year-old girl’s hand, and called her a derogatory name.

“M’am, please don’t act like that. You’re a grown woman,” Kaeley responded in a video that the restaurant then posted to TikTok . “You’re a grown woman. I’m 17. Get out of here. Don’t come back. Don’t come back. We don’t need your business.”

“I was scared and very confused,” Victoria added. “I wasn’t understanding what was going on.”

A Brilliant Online Reaction

After the owner posted the video online, it went viral and many people reached out to support the girls for their perfect reaction to the customer.

“People were traveling to come and see us from hours away,” the owner, Kyle, told Inside Edition . “We had people reaching out to us on TikTok asking how to tip the girls. We even had people going and leaving Google reviews that haven’t even been to the shop, saying they’re so proud of the girls and how they dealt with it,” he continued.

Kyle explained that he posted the video to remind everyone that the employees behind the counter are people, too. Adults, in particular, should try to remember that oftentimes, these are kids working to save up for cars, school, and other big life steps.

“Mistakes happen, but for you to go up and act like that as an adult, my whole point in uploading that video is to simply remind us all that we need to treat people better,” Kyle added.

"I am proud of the way our supervisor handled the situation," he added in the initial post . "We must strive for better behavior and respect in all interactions. It’s all about just being a kind person and approaching every situation with willingness to come to a good resolution."

We Are All the Same

As Kyle himself said, mistakes happen and no one is perfect. But demanding perfection of others can be a very lonely way to live. Rather than getting upset over an honest mistake and making someone feel bad or yelling at them, lead with grace and understanding. Not only will you help someone else feel respected, but you’ll probably get a better result from the situation, too.

When life doesn’t go our way, it can be easy to overreact or blame someone else. But by remembering that mistakes happen and this too shall pass, we can all live a little more peacefully.

Many of us are in these jobs because we’re trying to provide for our families or ourselves and our futures. Going to work can be hard enough, so remember to thank those who help you in the customer service industry and to tip well when appropriate. After all, we all want to feel appreciated at work.

Mom Asks Woman To Give Up Her First-Class Seat For Her Child - People Are Applauding Her Response

Desperate man needs to pay rent - decides to give his money to a stranger instead, grandma forced to sell homemade goods to get by - then, a stranger walks up to her, grieving daughter goes thrift store shopping - finds an unexpected note in a purse, why paul walker left his only daughter with vin diesel, matthew mcconaughey’s life-changing lesson for kate hudson (video), snoop dogg confronts the man that got tupac killed (video), jennifer hudson's horrific family tragedy-how the singer forgave and healed, subscribe to our newsletter, nicola coughlan has brilliant response to fan calling her bridgerton scenes "very brave", the untold story of michael and janet jackson's complex relationship, the disturbing and beautiful story behind danny trejo's salma hayek tattoo, the 11 best bridgerton quotes to make you feel powerful, romantic and wise, 40-year-old mom spent three years in prison - now she's an intern at princeton.

40-Year-Old Mother of 3 Goes From Inmate to Princeton Intern

Life can take us down unexpected and scary roads. Sometimes, we don’t know how to get off those roads and begin the climb to a better future. As this mom proved, however, anything is possible with a second chance and a little determination .

A Former Inmate

Woman goes from inmate to Princeton intern.

Mary McCrary is a 40-year-old mother of three who spent three years in prison. According to Good Morning America , she served time at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville for a parole violation following a conviction for aggravated burglary.

McCrary dropped out of high school in Grade 10 and has since successfully pursued her GED, but it wasn’t until prison that she began thinking about further education . She hit a breaking point behind bars and decided it was time to turn her life around.

“When you get to a point where you're tired and don’t even want to live and you're hopeless and you feel useless and worthless, you have a decision to make,” she told the publication.

“I made the decision to use this time to do something different, to change my life, because I didn’t want to keep doing the same things and getting in trouble and ... doing whatever I had to to survive because it gets you in the exact same place.”

So, McCrary enrolled in a coding class as part of the center’s Persevere program, an initiative aimed at helping inmates earn certifications as front-end or full-stack web developers.

“The class alone made you feel like you’re a human being, that I was working towards something, that there is a goal in sight, I am going to accomplish something, and I did,” she added. “That does give you confidence and hope.”

A Life-Changing Opportunity

For the next six months, McCrary earned her certificate in front-end coding. She decided to develop her skills even more by enrolling at Nashville State Community College, which offers a program for inmates.

This past May, McCrary was granted parole, completed her supervision, and earned extra credits toward an associate’s degree. But not even she could anticipate what would happen next: an internship at Princeton.

The nine-week program is meant for formerly incarcerated undergrad students to gain experience and new opportunities, and so far, McCrary is excelling.

“Her dedication to building her future is evident in how she does not shy away from challenges and the unknown,” Bridgett vonHoldt, an associate professor at Princeton and the head of the internship program said. “She is a role model, demonstrating for anyone who thinks such change is impossible that nothing is impossible.”

As for McCrary, she knows this is an incredible opportunity and hopes the internship is the next step toward earning her AA degree back in Nashville.

“This has been life-changing in more ways than one. This is an unbelievable, sometimes overwhelming experience,” she said. “If you look at my past, it's a crazy shamble mess, but look now, look what can happen. Nothing is ever impossible.”

Second Chances

McCrary hopes to be a role model for those who are having a hard time accepting the idea of a brighter future and so far, she certainly is. She’s a great example of how things can get better and you can change your future when you’re willing to take advantage of the opportunities you have — even if they don’t seem like opportunities at the time.

This story is also a needed reminder that everyone deserves a second chance in life and that sometimes, by allowing someone who has messed up the chance to try again, they may surprise you.

No one is perfect, and everyone stumbles. It’s not how hard we fall that truly matters in life; it's how we pick ourselves back up. But it’s also up to us whether we want to be the person who lends someone on the ground a helping hand or if we want to be the guy who just keeps on walking.

Copyright © 2024 Goalcast

Get stories worth sharing delivered to your inbox

uDiscover Music

  • Latest News

Best Karaoke Songs: 100+ Tunes To Sing At Your Next Session

‘man in the hills’: burning spear’s accomplished follow-up to ‘marcus garvey’, ‘who are you’: how the who stuck it to the punks, ‘higher ground’: stevie wonder cheats death and reaches a new plateau, ‘down to earth’: rainbow on a roll with new 1979 line-up, ‘reach out i’ll be there’: the four tops reach the world, duke ellington meets coleman hawkins: when two jazz giants united, the cardigans join tiktok, classic akon music videos remastered for youtube, disney’s ‘a whole new sound’ reveals tracklist, release date, katy perry to perform, accept video vanguard award at 2024 mtv vmas, don henley’s ‘building the perfect beast’ to receive 40th anniversary release, ‘let it go’ from hit disney film ‘frozen’ achieves diamond certification, frank sinatra’s holiday classics to be released as ‘ultimate christmas’ 2lp.

Rihanna is one of the most famous and successful pop artists of the 21st century, with critically acclaimed albums and massive hit singles.

Published on

Rihanna photo by Christopher Polk and Getty Images for WESTBURY ROAD ENTERTAINMENT LLC

Forbes Magazine once had what feels like the perfect description of Rihanna:“(She) may be the perfect embodiment of the modern pop star. The Barbados native churns out radio hits like “We Found Love” and “ Diamonds ” and collaborates with some of the biggest names in the business like Jay Z and Eminem . But she also uses social media better than almost anyone. Her Twitter and Instagram feeds allow her to connect with her fans in a way that feels honest and unfiltered and they love her for it.” That is all true.

And that ability to parlay commercial success into a media-friendly image that connects with a core audience is one reason why Rihanna is such hot property. She doesn’t make the news, she is news.

On The Ball: The 20 Best Football Songs Of All Time

How ariana grande redefined pop music with ‘sweetener’ and ‘thank u, next’.

Her successes are so wide-ranging that she fits the current demand for a singer to become an entrepreneur. With interests in fashion, acting, design, and songwriting, of course, Rihanna fits that bill. Her recorded triumphs are what drive the image and since her debut Music of the Sun went gold she has scaled greater heights on an annual basis. A Girl Like Me , the edgier sensuality of Good Girl Gone Bad , and Rated R , have all propelled Rihanna to become one of the hottest names in R&B/pop. Loud , Talk That Talk , and Unapologetic then bossed the current decade: one where everything is Platinum, and global surrender to her beat a given.

Born in Saint Michael, Barbados in 1988, Robyn Rihanna Fenty comes from Afro-Guyanese stock on her mother’s side and Bajan/Irish on her father’s. She grew up in Bridgetown listening to reggae music and aimed for a career in the music business as a teenager. Producer Evan Rogers heard of her prowess and invited her to audition, not quite on a whim but definitely out of curiosity:  anyhoo – she performed Destiny’s Child’s “Emotion” and Mariah Carey’s “Hero”. Evan is convinced. Rogers took Rihanna and her mother to New York where the girl demo’d and then won a contract aged 16 having won over an initially sceptical  Jay Z who did the smart thing and rewarded the starlet with a six-album deal on Def Jam Recordings.

Her debut single, the track that had floored  Jay Z, was “Pon de Replay”, a cut that would go on to sell over 2 million copies in time.  Jay Z knew the song was strong but feared it would make Rihanna a one-hit-wonder. Err, nope.

Rihanna - Pon de Replay (Internet Version)

The breakout album is Music of the Sun where producers including Rogers, The Carter Administration, Carl Sturken, StarGate and others help mould the dancehall fusion of pop and R&B that will make Rihanna’s name sing. If you’re most familiar with her later work this is well worth discovery since it’s a remarkably assured and prodigiously precocious start that pays homage to her Caribbean roots and locates the contemporary heart and soul of urban dance-pop.

The hit “If It’s Lovin’ that You Want” and a great cover of Dawn Penn’s “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)” – written by Bo Diddley   – are evident highlights. The UK bonus track edition also includes “Should I”, featuring J-Status and pointer to a new direction.

A Girl Like Me (2006) is where Rihanna soars. The hits are plentiful: “SOS” is a chart-topper made memorable by its sample of Gloria Jones singing “Tainted Love”,  “Unfaithful” and “Break It Off” follow in hot pursuit. Recording in a variety of American and Jamaican studios Rihanna finds her voice here, abetted by Sean Paul, Cory Gunz and fellow Barbadian Dwane Husbands. You can hear her linking disparate musical cultures and revelling in the introduction of a full string section. The Deluxe edition features five other cuts with the remix on “Unfaithful” being guaranteed floor filler.

Rihanna - SOS (Official Music Video)

In 2007 the planet starts to succumb to Rihanna’s third album Good Girl Gone Bad  – worldwide sales thus far are in excess of 10 million. A #1 in the UK this is the moment being seized by an artist on top of her game. Cue her: “I basically took the attitude of the bad girl and I really got rebellious and just did everything the way I wanted to do it—I didn’t want to listen to anybody. I didn’t consult with anybody. I just want to have a little more fun with my music and be a little more experimental in terms of my image and my sound. I just reinvented myself.” We love the results.

The story-telling “Hate That I Love You” (featuring Ne-Yo ) is a highlight but you can’t ignore  “ Umbrella ” where Rihanna and  Jay Z nail the groove on a song that topped the UK charts for ten consecutive weeks – during a flood season! – and turned the girl into daily celebrity gold. Everyone from Biffy Clyro and Taylor Swift to Manic Street Preachers and McFly has covered it; the mark of a classic, “Umbrella” is one of those season-defining tunes.

Rihanna - Umbrella (Orange Version) (Official Music Video) ft. JAY-Z

With neat samples from Lionel Richie , New Order, Sly Dunbar and Michael Jackson via Manu Dibango, this is also Rihanna at her most eclectic.

Various bonus formats are available, including Dance Remixes on the Deluxe edition. And being onto such a good thing what better way to keep it bubbling than with Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (new songs include “Disturbia” and “If I Never See Your Face Again”) and Good Girl Gone Bad: The Remixes , where a sharper electronic bite transposes Rihanna from the radio to the dance floor and gives her genuine female icon status.

Rated R drew the singer into the production booth where she is credited as Robyn Fenty. As such, she sat in with Brian Kennedy and will.i.am and came up with a moody, atmospheric set that doesn’t shy away from the personal experience of violence and brutality in soured love affairs. With Latin and reggae rhythms filtering throughout the most talked-about cut is “Cold Case Love” where all the critics came onside for an awesome epic that is perfectly realised by the singer, the production crew and the original writing team – including Justin Timberlake, an avowed fan.

Cold Case Love

By contrast “Rockstar 101” has Slash ’s lead guitar soldering a metal slide to a chilly slab of hip-hop (Rihanna famously plays Slash in the video). “Te Amo” is lovely Electro-Latin and “Rude Boy”, recorded at Metropolis Studios in London, struts on a gritty urban ragamuffin style. The Remixed accompaniment is heavily drenched in house music with extra synthesisers and smart bodywork from Chew Fu.

Back to the studio for album #5. Loud is like it says. “California King Bed” rocks Rihanna right out and “Cheers (Drink to That)” is a celebratory party anthem that is aimed at the weekend. It samples Avril Lavigne’s “I’m with You”. Also, check the gangster tune “Man Down”, a nod at Bob Marley ’s “I Shot the Sherriff”, the saucy  “S&M” and “Raining Men”, a rap face-off between Rihanna and Nicki Minaj : sisters in arms.

Rihanna - S&M

Eight million copies of the Loud  event later Rihanna decided not to follow the reload/remix path but concentrate on her new work. Talk That Talk is the result with the title track returning  Jay Z to the mic and Ri to the top of the charts. Characterized as Rihanna’s naughtiest  – an alternative title would be Rated X – we love “You da One” for the dubstep groove and the East London filmed video nodding at A Clockwork Orange. “Cockiness (Love It)” is more down and dirty dancehall while “We Found Love” is written, produced and features Calvin Harris. This track is a story all by itself. Not only has it sold nigh on 11 million copies on single and download formats it’s also reckoned to be one of the best selling singles of all time. Happy Mr Harris! Covers on this come from Jessie J and Coldplay – Chris Martin being another high-profile Rihanna aficionado – join the club, mate.

Rihanna: In-Depth Features

‘talk that talk’: when rihanna got her freak on, ‘loud’: how rihanna became pop’s favorite party girl, ‘good girl gone bad’: charting rihanna’s daring transformation, ‘anti’: when rihanna rejected the pop paradigm, ‘rated r’: rihanna’s fearless journey to the darkside, 20 of the best rihanna songs.

The talk having been talked Rihanna was Unapologetic in 2012 and her seventh studio album made the top slot in the vital German market, also Canada, the UK and US, meaning that in seven short years she has gone from being an unknown artist to a formidable brand. The internationalism is hammed home by the hits “Diamonds” and “Stay” and a selection of her most sophisticated music elsewhere. Rihanna’s vocals are exemplary throughout and she grabs the zeitgeist of 20-something youth culture, emerging as the perfectly formed diva.

Rihanna - Diamonds

It has been a steady and logical evolution. Rihanna hasn’t drastically veered away from what she does best but she has kept up an incredibly high standard in the most demanding and unforgiving of arenas. Subtle tweaks along the way, like using David Guetta on Unapologetic  and bringing rising UK star Labrinth into the fold are evidence that someone is doing something right. There are careful switches being flicked too on the Deluxe edition where we hear a far more experimental and introspective artist tackling Emeli Sandé ’s “Half of Me”, an unexpectedly dark gaze into the mirror of superstardom.

Album eight was the super smash Anti (2016), which included the seminal multi-platinum singles “Work” (which featured Drake and shot to No.1) and “Love On The Brain”. As ever, it’s a far-ranging slab of artistry that deals with everything from drugs and sex to the disturbing outer reaches of desire. Check the deluxe edition for another detour into the darkness on “Goodnight Gotham”, co-written by Rihanna, Florence Welch and Paul Epworth. Ever radical, Anti did enormous business in a year blighted by music star deaths. There was some succour here.

Rihanna - Work (Explicit) ft. Drake

Later in 2016, Rihanna capped off the massive success of Anti by receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. Drake presented the award, and the lifetime achievement honor cemented RiRi’s status as a living legend. The following year, with Rihanna still basking in the glow of her 2016 LP, she hopped on a few chart-topping singles from other artists, including DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty,” which earned the two artists Grammy Awards at the 60th annual ceremony. While Rihanna was quiet as a solo artist after the arrival of Anti , she stayed more than busy as a public figure and businessperson.

The origins of her Fenty fashion empire can be traced back to 2017, when she launched Fenty Beauty under influential fashion house LVMH’s Kendo Brands. The following year she expanded the company with the arrival of lingerie brand Savage X Fenty, which offered a more inclusive approach to female undergarments. While the fashion brand was growing at an impressive clip, 2018 also saw Rihanna get appointed by the government of Barbados to be an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Somehow, during this time, Rihanna also found time to star in the all-female cast Ocean’s reboot, Ocean’s 8 . In 2021, it was announced that Rihanna was the world’s wealthiest female musician with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion, thanks in large part to her Fenty brand. The following year, Rihanna released the lead single from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, “Lift Me Up.” In February 2023, she headlined one of the biggest stages in all of music: The Super Bowl halftime show.

Rihanna: Studio Albums

Music of the sun (2005), a girl like me (2006), good girl gone bad (2007), rated r (2009), loud (2010), talk that talk (2011), unapologetic (2012), anti (2016).

Union Jack flag

' . esc_html__( 'Leave a Reply', 'zox-news' ) . '

Rihanna - Unapologetic

Rihanna - Biography

The barbadian singer is one of the biggest-selling female artists in history..

Rihanna attending a Fenty Beauty launch

Who is Rihanna?

Robyn Rihanna Fenty, better known by her stage name Rihanna , was born in Barbados in 1988. Her childhood was deeply affected by her parents' marital problems and her dad's battle with drug and alcohol addictions, which eventually led to their divorce when she was 14. 

After his recovery, father and daughter grew close again and Rihanna still refers to him as the "coolest person on the planet". As a teenager Rihanna turned to music to escape her home troubles and formed a musical trio with two of her classmates. 

Rihanna's rise to fame

Her big break came in 2003 when friends introduced her and fellow bandmates to record producer Evan Rogers, who was on holiday in Barnados with his wife. When the group auditioned for Evan, he later told Entertainment Weekly that "the minute Rihanna walked into the room, it was like the other two girls didn't exist." 

Over the course of the next year, Rihanna travelled to Rogers' home in Connecticut to work on her demo album. With the help of songwriter Carl Sturken she made a four-song demo that included "Pon de Replay" which would become her first hit single. Rihanna officially relocated when she was 16.

 "When I left Barbados, I didn't look back," she said. "I wanted to do what I had to do, even if it meant moving to America." Soon after, her demo fell into the hands of recording company Def Jam. She auditioned for them and legendary rapper Jay-Z, who was so impressed he signed her almost immediately. "We made a little Godfather joke," recalls Jay-Z. "We said the only way she could leave was through the window."

Eight months later Rihanna released her debut album, Music of the Sun , which went platinum despite less-than-rave reviews from Rolling Stone magazine who deemed it "lacking of ingenuity and rhythm." Her follow-up album, A Girl Like Me , fared better with critics in 2006 and included the hit SOS . Rihanna went through a total transformation from teen pop singer to ultimate superstar with her third album Good Girl Gone Bad . It featured hit single Umbrella that won her her first Grammy Award. She flaunted her sex symbol status in her next four albums, with songs entitled "Hard", "Rude Boy", "S&M" and the like, and frequently topped Sexiest Women Alive lists for her raunchy stage performances and music videos. 

Which awards has Rihanna won? 

Rihanna has been labelled one of the most consistent hit makers in pop music for her chart-topping seven albums and collaborations with legends Jay-Z, Enimen, Kanye West and Calvin Harris. She has won countless awards including Grammys, Brits, MTV awards and World Music Awards among others. 

Rihanna's dating life

Her love life has been somewhat less plain sailing than her music career. Rihanna started dating Chris Brown late 2007 and the couple remained intensely private about their relationship. But just after midnight on February 8, a 911 call was made after a pre-Grammy party that the pair had attended. When the police arrived on the scene, Rihanna was found distressed and hurt. 

It was reported that she had found texts from another girl on his phone and after repeatedly pressing him on the subject, an argument sparked which left Rihanna assaulted, even losing consciousness at one point. After the incident, Rihanna admitted feeling vulnerable. "I put my guard up so hard," she said. "I didn't want people to see me cry or feel bad for me. It was a very vulnerable time in my life, and I refused to let that be the image." 

How many children does she have?

The 'Umbrella' singer, 35, and partner A$AP Rocky welcomed their first child  — a boy whose name remains a mystery — in May 2022, and are awaiting the second soon. 

The award-winning singer confirmed her second pregnancy to the world in 2023 via an internet-breaking performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Rihanna's charity work

She is eager to put her fame and fortune to good use, and is involved in many charity ventures. She created The Believe Foundation in 2006 to help terminally ill children, joined H&M for their Fashion Against AIDS campaign, and was the face of the Gucci UNICEF campaign.

Discover more about Rihanna here . 

More Profiles

Kourtney Kardashian - Biography

Kourtney Kardashian - Biography

Scott Disick - Biography

Scott Disick - Biography

Colin Firth - Biography

Colin Firth - Biography

Samuel L. Jackson - Biography

Samuel L. Jackson - Biography

Enrique Iglesias - Biography

Enrique Iglesias - Biography

Madonna - Biography

Madonna - Biography

Drew Barrymore - Biography

Drew Barrymore - Biography

Coleen Rooney - Biography

Coleen Rooney - Biography

Sarah burton - biography, charlie sheen - biography, katherine hooker - biography, jennifer lawrence - biography.

In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

rihanna brief biography

Rihanna Biography

Rihanna


Specialty Arrangements

Christian | Musicals | Doo Wop | Barbershop | World | Choral | Contemporary | Vocal Jazz

Vintage | Musical Theater | Disney | Standards | Personality | Part Predominant CDs

Groups | Directors | Composers | Songwriters | Arrangers | Vocal Coaches

Arrangements | Solo Voice | Christmas | DVDs | Instructional for Singers | New Additions

The Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival

FAQ | Site Map

Regional A Cappella

This item will be permanently removed and cannot be recovered. Delete anyways?

All Rights Reserved   All Content, page design, CGI Copyright © United Singers International

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

AceShowbiz logo

  •   

news-details

Together with Rogers and his partner, Carl Sturken, Rihanna composed almost a dozen songs, taking inspiration from dancehall and ragamuffin which are the musical culture of her origin and blended them with R&B tunes. "My music is mostly Caribbean beats mixed with R&B," she described eagerly. "I don't want to be pigeon holed into being just a dance artist because I can sing too. I have ballads on the album as well as upbeat tracks."

Looking for a label, Rihanna landed her feet at Def Jam Recordings in which Shawn Carter or popularly known as Jay-Z has become the president as well as its CEO. Upon witnessing her performance, the acclaimed rapper quickly offered her a recording contract on the spot. She afterwards set out to collect materials for her debut album, co-writing most of its tracks. "Pon De Replay" eventually was released on May 25, 2005. The single turned out to be a great piece of music as it was labeled one of the summer's hottest jams in U.S..

Achieving success with "Pon De Replay," Rihanna put her hopes to repeat the same attainment on her first album " Music of the Sun " which was launched on August 30, 2005. With tracks featuring both Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel , it provided some serious heat to burn either radio stations or clubs throughout the country. It was truly like a dream coming true for the enchanting performer. "If I hadn't met Evan and Carl I might have just been dreaming forever. I am so thankful for everything they've done for me," Rihanna said gratefully. Dream or no dream, her debut album, recorded by RIAA, received Gold in U.S. and Platinum in several other countries. She was soon the highly anticipated act that Gwen Stefani tapped her to open her tour.

This success was relayed by Rihanna's sophomore set titled " A Girl Like Me " that was out in April 2006, only eight months after the first album's release. Instead of crushing her career, the rush actually brought a greater triumph for her. The lead single "SOS" entered Billboard Hot 100 chart at #1 and therefore marked her first No.1 song. The same song gained popularity in U.K. and Australia followed by equally strong "Unfaithful". The third single released "We Ride" however, didn't meet the same fate as it failed to enter the Hot 100 chart but was good enough to send the album to 2x platinum sale.

Having a good rhythm, Rihanna released the third album ' Good Girl Gone Bad ' the next year. Before the package arrived on the shelves, first single "Umbrella" featuring Jay-Z had a slow start in Billboard Hot 100 by entering the chart under Top 40. However, the catchy chorus and fresh beat quickly won the single a much better luck by peaking at no.1 in U.K. single chart and a ten consecutive weeks reign at the same position. Receiving mostly favorable reviews, the third studio effort topped the charts in multiple countries including the U.K., Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Japan, Russia and at number two in the U.S. and Australia. A headlining tour was kicked off in September 2007 to support the album. She was then a frequent nominated artist and winner of awards events including Teen Choice Awards, Grammy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards in 2007.

So successful was "Good Girl Gone Bad" that it was re-released in June 2008 under the title " Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded ". Three new songs, "Disturbia", "Take a Bow" and "If I Never See Your Face Again", were added as bonus. All three amazingly went well on the chart and boosted the sale of the remix album " Good Girl Gone Bad: The Remixes ", which was released in January 2009.

In the peak of her success, a tragedy struck Rihanna's personal life. On the eve she was supposed to perform at the 51st Grammy Awards, Rihanna got into a physical altercation with then-boyfriend Chris Brown . It quickly became hot news as Rihanna and Brown's romance had been under the spotlight all that year. Brown was arrested for assaulting Rihanna and making criminal threats. Photo of Rihanna's battered and bruised face surfaced online, leading to many protests and hatred for Brown. In June 2009, Brown pled guilty to the felony assault and received five years probation in exchange of his plea. He was also ordered to stay fifty yards away from Rihanna.

Rihanna was back to record music in July 2009, collaborating with Kanye West and her mentor Jay-Z in "Run This Town". Several months later, her fourth studio album " Rated R " was released with "Russian Roulette" as the first single. However, it was third single "Rude Boy" that became the album's juggernaut, peaking at number 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks. She went on Last Girl on Earth Tour to support the album, traveling worldwide. Rihanna also made a successful collaboration with Eminem on "Love the Way You Lie", which touched the subject very sensitive to her heart; domestic violence. The song went number 1 in more than 20 countries.

Rihanna announced in October 2010 that she had parted ways with manager Marc Jordan and joined Jay-Z's Roc Nation. She released new single "Only Girl (In the World)" that year as the first offering from her fifth studio album, " Loud ". The song was followed by "What's My Name?", featuring Drake , that reached number one on several charts even before its predecessor. "Only Girl" went on winning a Grammy Award in 2011 for Best Dance Recording and Rihanna embarked on another headlining tour which was sold out in most dates.

A year after "Loud" hit the market, a new studio album called " Talk That Talk " was released in November 2011. The lead single, "We Found Love", topped charts in eighteen countries worldwide, peaking on the top ten in thirty countries and breaking a string of records worldwide. Rihanna won Video of the Year award at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Surprisingly, Rihanna reconciled with Brown to record a remix of her songs called "Birthday Cake" and "Turn Up the Music" for the new album. In fact, she would be seen on the same scenes with Brown from then on.

Rihanna starred in her first theatrical feature film " Battleship ", which was released on May 18, 2012. Her acting was labeled mediocre by many critics. Rihanna was soon back in the studio to record her seventh studio album, " Unapologetic ", featuring another collaboration with Brown called "Nobody's Business". The album's lead single "Diamonds" peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. On top of releasing the album on November 19, 2012, Rihanna had scheduled a worldwide tour that begins in March 2013.

Following the success of "Unapologetic", which became her first No. 1 set on Billboard 200, Rihanna joined Eminem for another chart-topping single. They collaborated again on "The Monster" off the rapper's 2014 album, " MMLP2 ".

Rumors about Rihanna's new album began swirling in late 2014. In the following year, she joined " The Voice " as the key adviser for the ninth season, released the hit "FourFiveSeconds" with Kanye West and Sir Paul McCartney , and another single "B**ch Better Have My Money". She announced the album's title, " Anti ", and unveiled its cover art in late 2015, but the year ended with no R8 in sight.

The long wait was finally over in late January 2016, when she released the album on Jay-Z's Tidal. It was made available exclusively on the service for a few days before hitting iTunes and other retailers. As part of her partnership with Samsung, she also gave away a million copies of the album to Samsung users. Because of that, the record was immediately certified Platinum by the RIAA, though Nielsen wouldn't count the free copies for the Billboard 200 chart.

"Anti" missed the chart's top 10 in its first week, but soared to No. 1 in the second week. Its lead single, the Drake-assisted "Work", was an instant hit, currently sitting at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100.

Padma Lakshmi Strips Off, Flaunts Her Curves in Sultry Photoshoot for Pirelli Calendar

  • 2024-08-17 02:56:32

Padma Lakshmi Strips Off, Flaunts Her Curves in Sultry Photoshoot for Pirelli Calendar

Addison Rae Spreads Legs to Pose With Miniature Statue of Liberty

Addison Rae Spreads Legs to Pose With Miniature Statue of Liberty

Jaden Smith's Ex Sab Zada Glows in New Photos After Seemingly Confirming He Cheated on Her

Jaden Smith's Ex Sab Zada Glows in New Photos After Seemingly Confirming He Cheated on Her

Sydney Sweeney Bares Her Backside in Cheeky Thirst Trap During Boat Trip

Sydney Sweeney Bares Her Backside in Cheeky Thirst Trap During Boat Trip

Barry Keoghan Denies Sabrina Carpenter Split Rumor Following 'Please Please Please' Controversy

Barry Keoghan Denies Sabrina Carpenter Split Rumor Following 'Please Please Please' Controversy

Shannen Doherty's Mom Continues Late Actress' Legacy by Taking Over Her Podcast

Shannen Doherty's Mom Continues Late Actress' Legacy by Taking Over Her Podcast

Ben Affleck's 'Small' 52nd Birthday Party Is 'Exactly' What He Wanted

Ben Affleck's 'Small' 52nd Birthday Party Is 'Exactly' What He Wanted

Taylor Swift's Fans Divided as 'Swifties for Trump' Is Trending Despite Singer's Disapproval

Taylor Swift's Fans Divided as 'Swifties for Trump' Is Trending Despite Singer's Disapproval

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck Enjoyed Trip to Japan as 'Best Friend Exes'

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck Enjoyed Trip to Japan as 'Best Friend Exes'

Pretty Vee Accused of Mocking of Asian Culture With 'Offensive' Video

Pretty Vee Accused of Mocking of Asian Culture With 'Offensive' Video

Comedian Perry Kurtz Killed in Tragic Hit-and-Run Accident in Los Angeles

Comedian Perry Kurtz Killed in Tragic Hit-and-Run Accident in Los Angeles

August Alsina Talks About Dating a Man Following Affair With Jada Pinkett Smith

August Alsina Talks About Dating a Man Following Affair With Jada Pinkett Smith

Ariana Madix's Brother Arrested After Busted for Carrying 100 Pounds of Marijuana at Airport

Ariana Madix's Brother Arrested After Busted for Carrying 100 Pounds of Marijuana at Airport

Capital XTRA

Glory 6am - 9am

Now Playing

Whatever You Like T.I. Download 'Whatever You Like' on iTunes

Rihanna facts: 23 things you need to know about the ‘Lift Me Up’ singer

Entrepreneur, movie siren AND award-winning singer - Rihanna is the definition a modern boss lady. Here's everything you need to know about universally-loved superstar.

1. What is Rihanna's net worth?

As of 2022, Rihanna is estimated to be worth a staggering $1.7 billion. This is thanks to her hugely successful music career, her Savage X Fenty lingerie line, her lucrative Fenty Beauty cosmetics company, her FENTY fashion brand, Fenty Skin, her movie career and her long line of endorsements with brands including Chopard, Manolo Blahnik and Stance.

2. Is Rihanna dating A$AP Rocky?

At the end of 2020, reports surfaced claiming that longtime friends Rocky and Rihanna had officially started dating after months of speculation. The pair were spotted enjoying dinner with friends in New York, months after the singer split with her billionaire ex-boyfriend Hassan Jameel. They later confirmed their relationship in March 2021, and welcomed their first child together in May 2022.

3. How old is Rihanna?

Rihanna is 35 years old and she was born on February 20th 1988. Picture: Getty

4. Why does Rihanna use the name 'Fenty'?

Surprisingly, a lot of people are unaware of why Rihanna uses the name 'Fenty' across her beauty and clothing brands. The reason? Fenty is Rihanna's surname! Hence the names 'Fenty Beauty', 'Fenty x Puma' - you get the drill.

5. What is Rihanna's real name?

Rihanna's birth name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Her family and close friends call her Robyn; she once told Rolling Stone that after becoming numb to hearing ‘Rihanna’, she pays attention when she hears ‘Robyn’. Fun fact: her middle name means 'sweet basil' in Arabic and is pronounced 'Rih-Anna'.

6. Is Rihanna engaged to Hassan Jamal?

Rumours of an engagement between Rihanna and her ex-boyfriend Hassan Jameel began swirling after news of their relationship broke in June 2017. A few months later, Rihanna was spotted in New York wearing a huge diamond ring on her ring finger. However, the pair split up after three years together in earlier 2020.

7. Did Rihanna split up with Hassan Jameel?

Rihanna was first spotted getting cosy with Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel while the pair enjoyed a Spanish holiday together in June 2017. Hassan is the deputy president and vice chairman of family business 'Abdul Latif Jameel Domestic', who own the rights to sell Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia. However, he and Rihanna split up in early 2020 after three years of dating. Jameel was previously romantically linked to iconic supermodel Naomi Campbell.

8. Rihanna featured on DJ Khaled's 2017 smash hit 'Wild Thoughts' with Bryson Tiller.

After "seven or eight years" of DJ Khaled trying to get Rihanna on a track with him, he finally achieved it with 'Wild Thoughts'. The sultry Latin-influenced banger also features the vocals of fellow R&B singer Bryson Tiller, who recorded his verse after Khaled played him a demo of the song during a dinner at the producers house. The song went on to become Rihanna's ninth number one single in the UK!

9. Where is Rihanna from?

Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados and raised in Bridgetown, the capital and largest city of the Caribbean island. Growing up, Rihanna live in a three-bedroom bungalow with her mother, father and siblings and sold clothes on a street stall with her father. Rihanna is very proud of her heritage - her care-free attitude and island-tinged sound is carried through her music to this day.

10. How many albums has Rihanna released?

Rihanna dropped her debut album, 'Music Of The Sun', in 2005. Her sophomore album 'A Girl Like Me' followed in 2006 and 'Good Girl Gone Bad' arrived the year after that. In 2009, her fourth album 'Rated R' dropped before her hit-laden record 'Loud' was released in 2010. 'Talk That Talk', her sixth album, arrived in 2011 followed by 'Unapologetic' in 2012. Four years passed before Rihanna unleashed her eighth album, 'ANTI', in 2016.

11. Is Rihanna pregnant?

After facing various pregnancy rumours throughout her career, Rihanna confirmed her first pregnancy with boyfriend A$AP Rocky on January 31, 2022! They welcomed their first child, a son, together in May 2022. She announced her second pregnancy in February 2023 during her Super Bowl Halftime Show.

12. How tall is Rihanna in feet?

Rihanna stands at 5ft 8in, or 1.73 m, which is actually above average height for women in Hollywood!

13. Rihanna has been working with Puma since 2014.

Rihanna was originally announced as Puma’s creative director in 2014, and released her first Fenty x Puma collection in early 2016 during New York Fashion Week. She has since gone on to create multiple ranges with the brand and popular items include her iconic sliders, jelly slides and the award-winning Fenty creepers that have since made the brand a worldwide success.

14. How many movies has Rihanna starred in?

Rihanna's talents aren't limited to singing - the Bajan beauty has appeared in a number of feature films since her career breakthrough. She portrayed herself in 2006's 'Bright It On: All Or Nothing' before playing Cora in 2012's 'Battleship', Moon Goddess in 2014's 'Annie', Tip in the animated 2015 movie 'Home', Bubble in 2017's 'Valerian' and Eight Ball in the 2018 film 'Ocean's Eight'.

15. How many tattoos does Rihanna have?

Over the years, Rihanna has become known for her eclectic collection of inkings. The R&B singer has 25 tattoos (that we know of) including her Mandala-inspired hand design, the goddess Isis on her chest, the 'Shhh' on the side of her finger and the trail of stars on the back of her neck.

16. What is Rihanna's nationality?

Rihanna is from the Caribbean island of Barbados, born in Saint Michael and raised in the country's capital and largest city, Bridgetown. Her mother, Monica Braithwaite, is of Afro-Guyanese decent while and her father, Ronald Fenty, is of Afro-Barbadian and Irish heritage.

17. Rihanna addressed body-shamers who called her 'fat'.

Unfortunately, Rihanna - ike many other public figures - has faced scrutiny over her weight throughout her career. In October 2017, the star happily described herself as having a “fluctuating body type”, and admitted to having both "skinny weeks" and "fat weeks". She also hilariously responded to one Instagram commenter who called her "fat" with a slew of crying-laughing emojis, so Ri is clearly unfazed by the criticism.

18. In September 2017, Rihanna launched her cosmetics brand 'Fenty Beauty'.

Rihanna's ground-breaking cosmetics range, Fenty Beauty, was launched in 150 countries to widespread praise from customers worldwide. The star product of the brand's debut was the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, which is available in a trailblazing 40 different shades and caters for a diverse range of skin tones.

19. Chris Brown secretly attended Rihanna's birthday party back in 2012.

Chris Brown secretly attended Rihanna's 24th birthday party. However following his infamous physical assault in 2009, the R&B singer chose to keep a very low profile. According to TMZ, he refused to enter the party at Hearst Mansion in Beverly Hills, until all workers and people who had taken pictures, had signed a non-disclosure agreement. While in the party, Chris Brown spent lots of time with Rihanna and reportedly held hands with her. Picture: Getty

20. What is Rihanna's Instagram?

Rihanna's on Instagram and her handle is @badgalriri. The superstar is also on Facebook and Twitter using just her name, @rihanna. Riri's not particularly keen on Snapchat and called them out in March 2018 for their "tone-deaf" ad on the platform which asked users if they'd rather "slap Rihanna" or "punch Chris Brown." Picture: Getty

21. Who are Rihanna's parents?

Rihanna's dad is Ronald Fenty and Rihanna's mum is Monica Braithwaite. They were married but then divorced when Rihanna was a teen. The couple have three kids together including Rihanna, and her two younger brothers Rajad and Rorrey Fenty. Picture: Getty

Latest Rihanna News

There's been an update on rihanna world tour rumours, a$ap rocky celebrates son riot's 1st birthday with adorable snaps, rihanna’s new album r9: release date, genre & features revealed, rihanna children: the names and ages of her kids with a$ap rocky, rihanna’s fenty hair range: products revealed & where to buy in the uk, yg breaks silence on saweetie cheating rumours, supacell cast: actors & which characters they play, why did molly-mae and tommy fury split, will post malone tour his f-1 trillion album, everything you need to know about capital xtra's carnival weekender, featured podcasts, book club with leah davis, homegrown: the podcast, black women working.

Rihanna Height, Weight, Age, Boyfriend, Husband, Family, Biography & More

Full NameRobyn Rihanna Fenty
Nickname(s)RiRi, Caribbean Queen, The Barbados Babe, Queen of Pop, Bajan beauty.
ProfessionSinger, Songwriter, Fashion, Designer, Model, Actress
Height (approx.)in centimeters-
in meters-
in Feet Inches-
Weight (approx.)in Kilograms-
in Pounds-
Figure Measurements (approx.)34-24-36
Eye ColourGreen
Hair ColourDark Brown, dyed Black.
Date of BirthFebruary 20, 1988
Age (as of 2022)
BirthplaceSaint Michael, Barbados
Zodiac signPisces
NationalityBarbadian
HometownBridgetown, Barbados
SchoolCharles F. Broome Memorial Primary School
Combermere High School
Educational QualificationHigh School drop out
DebutAlbum - Music of the Sun (2005)
Film - Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)
Family - Ronald Fenty (Warehouse Supervisor)
- Monica Braithwaite (Retired Accountant)
- Rorrey and Rajad Fenty

She has two half-sisters and a half-brother, each from different women that her father was with previously.
ReligionChristianity
EthnicityAfro-Guyanese, Afro-Barbadian and Irish descent.
Fan Mail AddressRihanna
Roc Nation
1411 Broadway
39th Floor
New York, NY 10018-3410
USA
Inspirations and Influences , Mariah Carey and Bob Marley
ColorsPink, Red, Black, Green
MoviesNapoleon Dynamite/Borat
TV ShowsEntourage
FoodCallaloo and Jerk Chicken of Barbados and Cheesecake
ActorsTerrence Howard and
Actresses , Halle Berry and Meryl Streep
MusicParamore
DesignersZac Posen and Dsquared
ArtistBob Marley
SongsOn A Girl Like Me, We Ride, I'm losing it by Roc Nation and State of mind by and Alicia.
Major ControversiesRihanna had to bare physical abuse from her then boyfriend Chris Brown. She was supposed to perform at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, which got cancelled because of the ugly incident. Her pictures were leaked by police officials where she sustained injury marks on her face. Chris Brown was imprisoned and punished as well as restraining orders were imposed to keep her safe.

There have been controversies about her videos because of nudity and explicit content. Although same level of these elements have been observed in other videos as well. Although the reasons for dropping her latest album's songs is still not clear.

Rihanna filed a lawsuit of $35 million against Peter Gunis and the firm Berdon LLP. They opted for settlement out of court for over $10 million.
Marital StatusUnmarried
Affairs/BoyfriendsNegus Sealy (2001-2003)

Chris Brown (2007-2013)

Josh Hartnett (2007)

Drake (2010)

Ryan Phillippe (2011-2012)

Asap Rocky (2013)

Karim Benzema (2015)

Husband/SpouseN/A
Children - 2
• RZA Athelston Mayers (from her boyfriend A$AP Rocky; born on 13 May 2022)
• Riot Rose Mayers (from her boyfriend A$AP Rocky; born in August 2023)
Net Worth$1.7 billion (as of August 2021)
HouseBarbados Mansion ($22 million)
Los Angeles Home ($5.03 million)
CarsMaybach, Chevy Suburban, Porsche 997 Turbo, Lamborghini, Chevy Camaro

Some Lesser Known Facts About Rihanna

  • Does Rihanna Smoke? Yes
  • Does Rihanna drink alcohol? Yes
  • Music producer Evan Rogers spotted Rihanna for the first time when he was in Barbados on a holiday with his wife.
  • Rihanna took over control for creating her third album Good Girl Gone Bad and was not ready to compromise on the creative process.
  • Rihanna has to her name, five  Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified platinum albums.
  • She won a Grammy for her album Unapologetic and her album ANTI, hit the Billboard 200 at the top position even when the album was not released properly.
  • Rihanna has multiple singles and collaborations that have been the best-selling singles  of all time.
  • She’s sold more than 200 million copies worldwide which makes her one of the best selling artists.
  • She would’ve liked to study Psychology in case she wasn’t a singer, although her favorite subjects were mathematics and chemistry.
  • Rihanna is the youngest artist who won fourteen number one Billboard Hot 100 Chart-ratings and that too in the shortest span of of career of all.
  • Rihanna has eight Grammys and eight American Music Awards to her name, along with 2 BRIT Awards and the inaugural Icon  Award at the American Music Awards 2013.
  • She has been awarded with a  Lifetime Achievement Award  by the  Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2014.
  • She has seen a lot of drug and emotional abuse in her childhood. Her father was addicted to cocaine, crack and alcohol and her parents had rough marriage; which could be the reason for tumor-strong headaches as she ceased to experience them as her parents divorced when she was fourteen.
  • Rihanna has a turtle and two dogs Marley and DJ.
  • Rihanna was classmates with  Carlos Brathwaite and  Darren Sammy .
  • The England and West Indies cricketers, Chris Jordan and Kraigg Brathwaite (respectively) were her classmates in school.
  • Rihanna was admitted in a sub-military program, where she was a army cadet, commanded by  the singer-songwriter Shontelle. 
  • Rihanna won a talent show and a beauty pageant contest at her school.
  • Rihanna stayed on the charts till the end of the year ad with her 8th single hitting it too, she was called “Diva of the Year” for her power and presence on the charts.
  • For some reason, after Rihanna dropped the label Def Jam and joined Roc Nation , her album ANTI did not include her initial three releases – “Bitch Betta Have Money”, “American Oxygen” and “Four Five Seconds”. However, ANTI became her second album to rank number one on Billboards 200.
  • She still keeps in touch with her Bajan friends.
  • Rihanna is official ambassador for Barbados’ tourism agency.
  • Rihanna had signed a $25 million with Samsung in October 2015, where she agreed to sell the Samsung Galaxy range and Samsung would support release her album ANTI and its World Tour.
  • Rihanna’s voice type is mezzo-soprano and her vocal range is three scales and two notes.
  • Rihanna took vocal-lessons from Ne-Yo while she was recording  Good Girl Gone Bad.  She had never had any vocal training before this.
  • She would sing Whitney Houston’s songs, brushing her hair, so much that her neighbors started calling her ‘Robyn Redbreast’.
  • New York Times  named her cookie-cutter teen queen because of her ability to change styles frequently. She said her inspiration for fashion comes from her mother.
  • She broke a Guinness World Record by selling 58 million copies of a single in 2012.
  • Rihanna co-owns the music streaming  business  Tidal with several other artists.
  • Rihanna’s and all her siblings’ names start with the letter ‘R’.
  • She used to sell clothes on a stall with her father.
  • She was rumored to be dating Jay-Z when he was dating Beyonce already. The rumors were false but helped Rihanna get some attention.
  • Rihanna asked her fans  not  to bring umbrellas to her concerts, so that they dont hurt each other while doing her steps.
  • Barbados has actually made Rihanna’s birthday a national holiday! Her way of saying thank you was doing a free concert for her fans.
  • Her mother would return every gift she would get for her after checking the prices and finding them too expensive. Now it’d be hard to return a five-bedroom house! Which she could not.
  • Her line of fragrances are named as ‘Nude’ and ‘Rebelle’!
  • She always chug a short or too of dark liquor before her shows.
  • Rihanna and Katy Perry are good friends and she threw her a Bachelorette Party  in Las Vegas.
  • She has 19 tattoos and still counting. No wonder she likes hanging out in the tattoo shops.
  • Rihanna has several wax models around the world and her legs are insured at $1 million.

Rihanna adorned a striking pink look complemented by Indian jewelry at the event in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India

Rihanna adorned a striking pink look complemented by Indian jewelry at the event in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India

Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum Actors, Cast & Crew

References/Sources: [ + ]

References/Sources:
1, 2
3
4

Rihanna, a national hero in Barbados, and a superstar worldwide

Rihanna wearing a black outfit and silver crown

When pop star Rihanna was declared a national hero in Barbados, the country that bears her roots, the crowd in her hometown of Bridgetown cheered.

Key points:

  • Robyn Rihanna Fenty, known professionally as Rihanna, has been declared a national hero in Barbados
  • Rihanna was born and raised on the Caribbean Island, but is an international superstar
  • The singer and entrepreneur accepted the honour at a ceremony held to mark the birth of the new republic

Rihanna too was very much grateful for the honour.

"Nothing, nothing compares to being recognised in the soil that you grew in," the 33-year-old said.

Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, the singer was conferred the honour by Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.

"May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation by your words, by your actions, and to do credit wherever you shall go," the PM said referencing her hit song Diamonds.

"God bless you, my dear."

The Caribbean Island has made the historic move to become a republic , removing Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state, and inaugurating President Sandra Mason in that role.

Woman stands on stage in ball gown in Barbados - Rihanna

But the "new Queen" of Barbados is arguably Rihanna, who expressed surprise when crowned a national hero.

"This is a day that I will never, ever forget. It's also a day that I never saw coming."

The singer said the people of Barbados are the true heroes, and she takes pride in calling Barbados home.

"I'm going to be a Bajan till the day I die, and this is still the only place I've ever called home. I love Barbados.

"I love you guys and I pray that the youth continue to push Barbados forward."

Rihanna, the global superstar

Rihanna became a worldwide star when her distinctive voice hit airwaves across the world, after she was signed to rapper Jay-Z's record label.

Pon de Replay was the song that propelled her into international stardom in 2005.

She won a Grammy a couple of years later for the single Umbrella featuring Jay-Z, with her 2007 album Good Girl Gone Bad selling several million copies worldwide. She's since won multiple Grammys.

Rihanna is also an entrepreneur. Her Beauty line Fenty has been described by Essence magazine as "a love song to women of colour", in the way it's inclusive of shades that "all women of colour can find themselves in."

Rihanna's face as she walks on the red carpet, representing Fenty: her beauty products that are inclusive of people of colour.

Forbes announced her billionaire status earlier this year, saying she's "the wealthiest female musician in the world".

Her album Rated R contained lyrics that touched on revenge, and was released after fellow star Chris Brown was convicted of a 2009 assault against her when the two were dating.

Rihanna has always repped Barbados

Rihanna was born in St Michael parish, Barbados to a Barbadian father and a Guyanese mother in February 1988.

She grew up in Barbados, and won a high school talent show there with a rendition of Hero by Mariah Carey.

A fan of reggae, hip hop and R'n'B, Rihanna was in a girl group, before attracting the attention of an American record producer, who helped shop her demo to Jay-Z.

She's now a bonafide superstar, a billionaire, and a National Hero.

Rihanna in a yellow dress, her hair crowned with jewels

  • X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Barbados inaugurates president as head of state replacing the queen.

People throw hands in air partying

Barbados to become a republic, replacing Queen with current Governor-General

Queen Elizabeth and Sandra Mason

  • Music (Arts and Entertainment)

Short Biography

August 18, 2024

Life Story of Famous People

Short Bio » Pop Singer » Rihanna

Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, and actress. She’s become the youngest solo artist to score 14 no. 1 singles on the billboard hot 100—the fastest to do so—she’s sold more than 54 million albums and 210 million tracks worldwide. Rihanna is the “best selling digital artist of all time… with more than 100 million [riaa] gold & platinum song certifications” and an eight-time grammy award winner who also counts 14 billboard music awards among other countless music accolades. Aside from her musical achievements, rihanna is bona fide business woman with multiple entrepreneurial ventures. however, most importantly, her undeniable cultural influence has forever imprinted her in history as a global icon despite her young age.

Early Life Of Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. Her mother, Monica (Braithwaite), is a retired accountant of African American background, and her father, Ronald Fenty, is a warehouse supervisor of Afro-Barbadian and Irish descent. Rihanna grew up listening to reggae music and began singing at around the age of seven. She attended Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School and Combermere High School, where she studied alongside future England cricketer Chris Jordan and future West Indies cricketer Kraigg Brathwaite. Rihanna was an army cadet in a sub-military programme; the singer-songwriter Shontelle was her drill sergeant. Although she initially wanted to graduate from high school, she chose to pursue a musical career instead.

Career Of Rihanna

Rihanna won numerous beauty pageants and performed Mariah Carey’s single “Hero” in a school talent show. Her life changed forever when one of her friends introduced her to Evan Rodgers, a producer from New York who was in Barbados for a vacation with his wife, who is a native. Rodgers arranged for her to go to New York to meet Jay Z, CEO of Def Jam Records. He heard her sing and knew she was going to be incredibly successful. She was age 16 when she was signed to Def Jam. Since then, she’s amassed phenomenal success. Before long Rihanna had signed a contract with DefJam Recordings and brought out her debut album, ‘Music of the Sun’ in 2005. It debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and sold over two million copies worldwide despite receiving only mixed reviews from critics. Her second album ‘A Girl Like Me’ was released the next year. The album not only became a huge commercial success charting in the top ten in 13 countries, but also established the young singer as a teenager sensation. It featured the hit single ‘SOS’ which peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

rihanna

After enjoying more success in the ensuing months, she embarked on the Glow in the Dark Tour with Kanye West, Lupe, N.E.R.D, and others in 2008. The concert tour travelled to Latin America, Asia, Europe, New Zealand and Australia, and received much critical acclaim. In 2009, her much awaited album ‘Rated R’ was out. She adopted a new musical style in this album which was well-received by her fans. The album reached No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 chart and featured the single ‘Rude Boy’ which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks. The year 2010 was a very eventful year for her. Her album ‘Loud’ went on to become a super-hit prompting the artist to embark on the Loud Tour to promote it further. ‘Loud’ spawned numerous hits including ‘What’s My Name’, ‘Only Girl (In the World)’ and ‘S&M’. She also featured on many hits by other artists, including Jay-Z’s ‘Run this Town’, Eminem’s ‘Love the Way You Lie’ and Kanye West’s ‘All of the Lights’. More Info: Wiki | IMDb | Twitter | Instagram | FB | YouTube

Fans Also Viewed

rihanna brief biography

Published in Singer

Ariana Grande

More Celebrities

The Tragic, Real-Life Story Of Rihanna

Rihanna

In 2005, 17-year-old Robyn Rihanna Fenty broke onto the music scene with the release of the smash hit "Pon de Replay." Since then, the world has watched her grow into one of the most successful women on the planet. According to Forbes , Rihanna became the world's richest female musician in 2019, a result of her success with music and makeup, along with becoming "the first black woman in charge of a major luxury fashion house."

Yet, despite being so successful and popular, Rihanna has managed to keep her private life private for the most part. Though many fans are aware of her story during her rise to fame, her life prior to that is not as well known. Perhaps that's because information about the hitmaker's childhood in Barbados is not freely available, or because Rihanna is protective of her family and her secrets.

Whatever the reason, there's an interesting story there. Even if Rihanna makes her success look easy, it was anything but: she grew up in less than ideal conditions and faced more than her fair share of struggles, but it was largely because of her difficult past that she became the person she is today. Here is the tragic, real-life story of Rihanna .

Rihanna grew up with trouble at home

Rihanna

Rihanna remembers  growing up in Barbados as being "just a little island girl riding bikes, running around barefoot and flying kites in the cemetery," but her childhood home wasn't as free. Her father's drinking problems would lead to tense moments. "Fridays would be scary because he would come home drunk," she told Rolling Stone  in 2011. "He'd get paid, and half of it would go toward alcohol. He'd walk in the door, and it was all eyes on him."

The future pop star could feel the temperature in the house go up whenever domestic violence was around the corner, previously telling ABC News , "[My parents] had a very abusive relationship. My dad was the abuser. [He hit her] on numerous accounts." She added, "I don't want to say normal, but it wasn't a surprise when it happened. She never went to the hospital ... Domestic violence is not something that people want anybody to know."

Though her mother was the primary victim of her father's outbursts, Rihanna recalled a time when she was punished for wanting to stay at the beach 10 minutes longer. "He slapped me so hard," she revealed to  Rolling Stone . "I ran home with his handprint on me. I couldn't believe it. My mother saw my face, how traumatized I was. You know how, when you know you did something wrong, and you deserve to get beat? This was out of nowhere."

The origins of Rihanna's hardened entrepreneurial spirit

Rihanna

Rihanna is a musician first, but she's a powerful business woman, as well. As noted by Rolling Stone , "She's had endorsement deals with Nike, Gucci, CoverGirl and Clinique, not to mention her own scent, Reb'l Fleur." Her upbringing as the oldest child in the family made her staunchly independent, and her father helped mold her into the woman she would become. "He taught me how to fish, how to swim, how to run, how to ride," the singer-songwriter told the media outlet. "He really toughened me up."

When she was young, Rihanna's father sold clothes on the street or out of his car to make a living. Whether through want or necessity, she would sometimes join him. "She used to sell stuff on the side of the street like I did," Rihanna's dad, Ronald Fenty, said in a 2011 interview with The Sun . "She'd come outside of the store and put up a rack and sell hats and belts and scarves ... She would also buy sweets, put them in packages and take them to school to sell to her friends for a profit." It was that entrepreneurial spirit that had Rihanna's father thinking she would end up in business. In the end, he was right, in a way.

The breaking up of Rihanna's family

Rihanna's family

Addiction sadly took a substantial toll on this celeb's early life , when drugs planted their hooks in Rihanna's father and ran havoc through her family home. "My family broke up because of his addiction," she tearfully told Oprah Winfrey on Oprah's Next Chapter . According to the Mirror , dad Ronald Fenty bought drugs even when money and food in the house were low. "Even as a toddler, I learned that my mum and dad would argue when there was foil paper in the ashtray," Rihanna said, referring to drug packaging or freebasing paraphernalia.

When she was nine years old, Rihanna walked in on her dad smoking crack, as per Rolling Stone . "I did have a drug problem and Robyn did walk in and see me taking drugs in our house," Ronald told The Sun . "She was just a little kid and it made her look at me, and other things, differently. Around the same time we were walking down the street with the kids and there was a guy sleeping on the sidewalk. Her mother said to Robyn, 'Your dad is going to end up like that.' I did not want my children to see me sleeping on the sidewalk so I started making the changes."

Rihanna's father would eventually beat his addiction, but it cost him his marriage and damaged his relationship with his children. "I had to give up drugs for my family," he said. "I still kind of lost them."

Rihanna was bullied in school

Rihanna

Rihanna is loved and admired around the world, but she didn't always feel loved as a child in Barbados. Her father was a descendant of a poor Irish community , the members of which were  often referred to by derogatory names . Rihanna's last name, Fenty, was a common surname for this group of people. The future singer-songwriter also had a light skin shade, and this combination led to teasing at school.

"I was cultured in a very 'black' way," Rihanna said in a 2009  Allure interview. "But when I got to school, I'm being called 'white' ... They would look at me, and they would curse me out. I didn't understand." The future celeb didn't take it lightly, and she fought back , some times with her fists. "I got teased my entire school life," she said to Glamour . "What they were picking on I don't even understand. It was my skin color. Then when I got older, it was about my breasts." 

The constant bullying she faced, however, helped shape her and prepare her for a life in the limelight, a life that can be cruel and unforgiving. "This thick skin has been developing since my first day at school," Rihanna told  Harper's Bazaar  in 2015. "It didn't happen after fame; I couldn't survive fame if I didn't already have it. So sometimes the toughest thing in life is to be vulnerable."

Rihanna was a good girl gone bad

Rihanna

With Rihanna's father battling his own demons and the fights at home increasing, the future celeb's mental health understandably suffered . Though the trouble at home was kept private, the young Rihanna began to separate herself from the other kids at school. According to Rolling Stone , "She wouldn't talk, wouldn't even cry." It was around this time that the future singer's grades slipped along with her health. 

"She had always been a straight-A student, but she started to struggle," Rihanna's mother, Monica Braithwaite, said. "She would suffer from these terrible headaches. She had to get CT scans." The headaches went on from the age of eight until Rihanna was 14, but the doctors had no answers for the excruciating migraine-like attacks. Initially, they believed that Rihanna may have a tumor of some sort, with the singer herself once saying , "It was that intense." However, the test results always came back negative. 

It wasn't until her parents separated and the fighting stopped that the headaches finally went away. Rihanna believes that the pain was caused by the emotional stress of the arguing and domestic abuse.

Rihanna has suffered a history of violence

Chris Brown, Rihanna

In February 2009, the world was rocked by reports that Chris Brown had abused then-girlfriend Rihanna . TMZ  later released photos of her battered face, and the abused singer became fodder for nearly every news outlet in the U.S., causing Rihanna to retreat from the public eye for months.

In her isolation, however, she began to worry about Brown, despite her being the victim. "If I feel this depressed , then what is he going through?" Rihanna later explained to  ABC News . "I had to protect him. I thought that I had to let him know, don't do anything crazy. Like just hang in there ... The whole world hates him now. His fans, his career. He just, he lost me, I just need to let him know; don't do anything stupid." Eventually, the two  reunited  and Rihanna  faced criticism  for it. 

For her part, Rihanna was disappointed because she'd made a promise to her younger self that she was "never going to date somebody like my dad" (via E! News ). She wasn't proud of her choice, but she had been overpowered by love. Fair or not, Rihanna found that her personal decisions had far-reaching consequences, and told  ABC News , "It's completely normal to go back. It's not right. When I realized that my selfish decision for love could result in some young girl getting killed, I could not be easy with that part. I couldn't be held responsible for going back."

Rihanna has faced non-stop rumors

Rihanna

Many high-profile celebrities contend with rumors, from exaggerated tales to outright lies. For Rihanna, it seems that every single celebrity she talks to becomes the target of a reported relationship . While working on a Rolling Stone  cover story, Rihanna happened to be in the same restaurant as Colin Farrell, someone she'd been rumored to be sending salacious texts. As Farrell left the restaurant, he stopped by the singer's table. "Our friends outside are gonna get some good mileage out of this," he jokingly said. "We're gonna be texting each other all f**king night!" The actor was right: the next morning, several tabloids suggested the two celebs ate dinner together and were romantically linked. 

To make matters worse, rumors have sometimes come from within. After Rihanna was assaulted by Chris Brown, her father sold information to the press . "That was the first time," Rihanna later told  Vogue  in 2011 (via Billboard ). "My dad went to the press and just told them a bunch of lies. Because he hadn't talked to me after ... that whole thing." She added, "He never called to find out how I was doing, if I was alive, nothing ... He went straight to the press and got a check." That wouldn't be the last time either, as Ronald Fenty would later sell more gossip on his famous daughter. "It really makes me question what I have become to my father," Rihanna wondered. "Like, what do I even mean to him?"

Rihanna's lawsuit against her father

Rihanna's parents, Ronald Fenty and Monica Braithwaite

After her challenges with Chris Brown, Rihanna found that she was spiralling into a dark place. She recalled on Oprah's Next Chapter   that she was "resentful," "angry," and struggling to overcome it all. When asked how she finally got through it, Rihanna said, "[I] repaired my relationship with dad." The singer had grown apart from her father after her parents' divorce years earlier. "I was so angry at him," she explained, adding, "I couldn't separate him as husband from him as a father."

After the reconciliation, however, Rihanna and Ronald Fenty continued butting heads. In some cases, it wasn't personal — it was business. According to CNN , Rihanna discovered that her father and his business partner, Moses Perkins, were allegedly using her name and brand, Fenty, to earn money. The singer and her representatives reportedly asked the pair repeatedly "to cease and desist all activity and efforts to exploit Rihanna's name and the goodwill associated with the Fenty brand." When that failed, they filed a lawsuit.

According to the 2019 suit, Rihanna's father reportedly launched a production and talent company called Fenty Entertainment in 2017, and negotiated 15 unauthorized Rihanna shows in Latin America, two at the Staples Center, and another at the T-Mobile Arena, all totaling nearly $15.5 million. He even reportedly attempted to use the Fenty brand to register a line of resort hotels. With the case set to move to a jury trial in June 2020,  The Blast  reports that it was later postponed due to the pandemic.

Rihanna became the family caregiver

Rihanna

Rihanna was exposed to things in life much earlier than most. In fact, she saw and experienced things as a child that most people never do. By the time the singer-songwriter was 16 years old, her father had moved out and her mother had returned to work to support the family. This left the young teenager at home to look after younger brother Rajad. Though it caused Rihanna to grow up quickly, she looks back at these times fondly, telling  Elle  that it was "probably the best summer I ever had."

But it was more than one summer that she would act as caregiver. While Rihanna takes on much of this willingly, such as gifting her mother a massive mansion , some of it has been imposed upon her. In 2008, she was forced to send her father home from her U.S. tour for drunken behavior. According to the Daily Mail , in order to save her father from going to jail for a California arrest, Rihanna agreed to pay $58,000 for him to enter a Malibu rehab program in 2013. And while speaking with Rolling Stone , Rihanna revealed that her dad once sent her a text with nothing but prices for furniture that he wanted to buy for his house. "It's fine," she explained. "I'll give my father anything. It's not something that's hard for me to help him with. It's just, like — damn, Dad. Hi."

She's scrutinized for small details

Rihanna wearing a choker

Being an international superstar is not easy (or so we assume). It comes with a lack of privacy and constant rumors, as well as incessant scrutiny, something of which Rihanna is, unfortunately, an expert. Rihanna has been criticized for a variety of reasons, a major one being her music. The last full album Rihanna released was "Anti" in 2016. It went number one on the Billboard 200 , and gave us hits like "Work" and "Needed Me." The album was a massive hit, and Rihanna sees it as her greatest work to date, but that does not mean fans are satisfied. Fans want more music from the star, and they are not shy about letting her know, especially on social media.

After posting a photo to Instagram stating her New Year's resolution, one fan commented, "Resolution should be releasing the album," in reference to R9 , the appellation used for the forthcoming album from the singer. Rihanna is not one to let people get her down, though, and she replied, "this comment is sooo 2019. grow up" (via Complex ).

Criticism of the singer is not limited to music, though. In 2022, while arriving at an event, Rihanna was heckled by someone yelling , "You're late," to which the singer replied "No sh*t." Sigh. Fame is not for the faint of heart.

She's endured public heartbreak

Rihanna with a nude lip

When you're famous, you can't go through a major life event without the world finding out. Even if you are a master at secret-keeping, eventually your business is made public. And for Rihanna, some of those major life events have tragically included heartbreak. The singer dated fellow musician and collaborator Drake on and off for several years. The couple delighted fans when they went from friends to partners, but the delight was short-lived, as the two ultimately split. The singer eventually told Vogue , "We don't have a friendship now, but we're not enemies either. It is what it is."

Drake isn't the only man Rihanna has dated publicly. For three years, the singer was with Hassan Jameel, a Saudi billionaire. Rihanna was focused on making the relationship work, sharing that she would clear her calendar for days at a time to be with Jameel, but unfortunately her efforts fell short as the two couldn't make their schedules work.

The news was especially saddening after reading the words she spoke to Vogue : "I'm actually in an exclusive relationship for quite some time, and it's going really well, so I'm happy." Even celebrities are not immune to heartbreak.

Rihanna's pregnancy and relationship have been questioned

Rihanna with a high ponytail

Although Rihanna's had lots of tragedy in her life, she's also had lots of joy, like learning she's expecting a child with her boyfriend A$AP Rocky. In 2022, the singer made headlines for her pregnancy, particularly her bold style. "When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, there's no way I'm going to go shopping in the maternity aisle. I'm sorry – it's too much fun to get dressed up," she told Vogue . She also told the magazine, "I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side," in reference to A$AP Rocky.

But because she is in the spotlight, no good part of her life can come without something overshadowing it. One shadow came in the form of a theory that Rihanna is faking her pregnancy. Tweets and YouTube videos have documented the outlandish theory, but the singer has not responded to the rumors. Who can blame her, though? There's only so much time in the day.

Another rumor came at the hands of an influencer who wrongfully claimed that A$AP Rocky was cheating on Rihanna. Although Rihanna did not respond to those rumors either, the woman he was supposedly cheating with, designer Amina Muaddi, responded on Twitter, saying , "I initially assumed that this fake gossip – fabricated with such malicious intent – would not be taken seriously," adding, "Therefore I have to speak up as this is ... related to people I have a great amount of respect and affection for."

She lost her cousin to gun violence

Rihanna with curly hair

In 2017, Rihanna sadly lost her cousin. Tavon Kaiseen Alleyne was living in Barbados and was shot one evening near his house. Rihanna and her cousin were close, as she documented on social media. After learning of his death, she took to Instagram to pay tribute, sharing "can't believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms! never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!! Love you always man."

The singer attended his funeral and shared photos on social media. "Sleep well buddy..we are at peace knowing you're in a better place than we are. We will always have a void without you, but we will never stop loving you ... Hope you were happy with your going away celebration today," she said, as reported by Vibe.

The singer used the harrowing event to speak out against gun violence, using the hashtag #EndGunViolence in her first tribute post.

  • Español NEW

Rihanna facts for kids



Born
(1988-02-20) February 20, 1988 (age 36)
Occupation
Years active 2003–present
Organisation
Partner(s) (2007–2009; 2012–2013) (2017–2020)
Children 2
Awards Full list
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Labels
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

September 20, 2018
Prime Minister
Preceded by Position established
Signature

Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ree- AN -ə ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman and actress based in the United States. She was cited as the best-selling female recording artist of the 21st century by Guinness World Records and is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, with sales estimated at 250 million units worldwide. Rihanna is the highest-certified female digital single artist and the only female artist to have seven U.S. diamond certified singles. She has achieved 14 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 . The recipient of numerous awards and nominations, Rihanna remains the wealthiest female musical artist with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion as of 2024.

Rihanna signed with Def Jam Recordings in 2005 and found mainstream recognition following the release of her first two studio albums, Music of the Sun (2005) and A Girl Like Me (2006). Both influenced by Caribbean music, the albums peaked within the top ten on the US Billboard 200 chart. Her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), incorporated elements of dance-pop , and established her status as a pop icon. Its lead single "Umbrella" peaked atop the US Billboard Hot 100 and won her first Grammy Award .

Rihanna continued to blend pop , dance , and R&B influences on her next albums, Rated R (2009), Loud (2010), Talk That Talk (2011), and Unapologetic (2012)—the latter of which peaked the Billboard 200. The albums spawned the Billboard Hot 100-number one singles "Rude Boy", "Only Girl (In the World)", "What's My Name?", "S&M", "We Found Love", and "Diamonds". Her eighth album, Anti (2016), showcased new creative control following her departure from Def Jam in favor of Jay-Z's label, Roc Nation. Becoming her second US number one album, it was supported by the chart-topping single "Work". Throughout her career, Rihanna has worked with artists including Coldplay , Drake , Eminem , Kanye West , Ne-Yo , and Shakira .

Aside from music, Rihanna is recognized for her humanitarian involvement, entrepreneurship, and fashion industry influence. She established the Clara Lionel Foundation, cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty, and fashion house Fenty under LVMH , becoming the first black woman to lead a luxury brand for LVMH. Rihanna has acted in major roles in Battleship (2012), Home (2015), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017), and Ocean's 8 (2018). In 2018, she was appointed as an ambassador by the Government of Barbados and declared a National Hero of Barbados in 2021.

Music career

Music and voice, fenty beauty, acting career, philanthropy, personal life, awards and achievements, discography, filmography.

Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados . She is the daughter of accountant Monica (née Braithwaite) and warehouse supervisor Ronald Fenty. Her mother is an Afro-Guyanese, while her father is a Barbadian of African, Irish, English , and Scottish descent . Rihanna has two brothers, Rorrey and Rajad Fenty, and two half-sisters and a half-brother from her father's side, each born to different mothers from his previous relationships. She grew up in a three-bedroom bungalow in Bridgetown and sold clothes with her father in a stall on the street.

As a child, Rihanna had many CT scans for the excruciating headaches she suffered, recalling, "The doctors even thought it was a tumor, because it was that intense." By the time she was 14, her parents had divorced, and her health began to improve. She grew up listening to reggae music. She attended Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School and Combermere School, where she studied alongside future international cricketers Chris Jordan and Carlos Brathwaite. As an 11 year-old, Rihanna was an army cadet in a sub-military programme, where the later Barbadian singer-songwriter Shontelle was her drill sergeant. Although she initially wanted to graduate from high school, she chose to pursue a musical career instead.

Rihanna-brisbane

In 2003, Rihanna formed a musical trio with two of her classmates in her home country of Barbados. Without a name or any material, the girl group auditioned with American record producer Evan Rogers, who commented, "The minute Rihanna walked into the room, it was like the other two girls didn't exist." Impressed, Rogers scheduled a second meeting with Rihanna's mother present and then invited Rihanna to his hometown in the United States to record some demo tapes that could be sent to record labels. Recordings were intermittent, taking about a year because she was only able to record during school holidays. "Pon de Replay" and "The Last Time" were two tracks recorded for the demo tape, which were eventually included on her debut album Music of the Sun . That same year, Rihanna was signed to Rogers's and Carl Sturken's production company, Syndicated Rhythm Productions.

In May 2005, her debut single, "Pon de Replay", was released under her mononym "Rihanna". It charted successfully worldwide, peaking in the top five in fifteen countries, including at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK Singles Chart . The song became a club hit in the United States, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs .

Music of the Sun was released in August 2005. It debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of over 500,000 units. The album sold over 2 million copies worldwide. A second single, "If It's Lovin' that You Want", was not as successful as its predecessor, but reached the top 10 in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. Aside from her work in music, Rihanna made her acting debut in a cameo role in the successful straight-to-DVD film Bring It On: All or Nothing , released in August 2006.

Rihanna, LOUD Tour, Minneapolis 5

A month after the release of her debut album, Rihanna began working on her second studio album. A Girl like Me was released in April 2006. Rolling Stone felt that "the burning rock guitar" and haunted strings of some of the album's tracks made " A Girl like Me [...] likable." The album was a commercial success, charting in the top 10 in 13 countries. The album reached No. 1 in Canada and No. 5 in the United Kingdom and the United States, where it sold 115,000 copies in its first week. The album became Rihanna's first to be certified Platinum by the RIAA , after selling over 1,000,000 units. Its lead single , "SOS", was an international success, charting in the top five in 11 countries. The song reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and in Australia, her first to reach this chart position. "Unfaithful", the album's second single, reached the top 10 in 18 countries, including No. 1 in Canada and Switzerland. Two more singles were released from the album: "We Ride" and "Break It Off".

Rihanna's third album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), incorporated elements of dance-pop . The chart-topping single "Umbrella" earned Rihanna her first Grammy Award and catapulted her to global stardom. During the late 2000s, Rihanna experimented further with pop , dubstep , and rock music, officially shifting her musical style and image away from the Barbados island girl. Throughout 2008, Rihanna performed on the Glow in the Dark Tour alongside Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco , and N.E.R.D.

Rihanna Diamonds World Tour 2013 (Cropped)

She continued to mix pop , dance , and R&B genres on her next studio albums, Rated R (2009), Loud (2010), Talk That Talk (2011), and Unapologetic (2012), the latter of which became her first Billboard 200 number one. The albums spawned a string of chart-topping singles, including "Rude Boy", "Only Girl (In the World)", "What's My Name?", "S&M", "We Found Love", "Where Have You Been" and "Diamonds".

In January 2010, Rihanna released her charity cover version of "Redemption Song" for the Hope for Haiti Now campaign. She also recorded the song "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)" together with Jay-Z, Bono and The Edge for the same campaign to alleviate the 2010 Haiti earthquake .

In summer 2010, Rihanna collaborated with rapper Eminem on "Love the Way You Lie", which was a major worldwide success, reaching No. 1 in over 20 countries. Reaching number 2, the song became the biggest-selling song of 2010 in the UK and the first of Rihanna's singles to sell over a million copies in the country. In October 2010, Rihanna switched managers, joining Jay-Z's Roc Nation Management.

Her eighth album, Anti (2016), showcased a new creative control following her departure from Def Jam. It became her second US number one album and featured the chart-topping single "Work". During her musical career, Rihanna has collaborated with many artists, such as Drake , Britney Spears , Eminem , Jay-Z , Kanye West , Adam Levine , Paul McCartney , Ne-Yo , and Shakira .

In February 2013, at the 55th Grammy Awards, Rihanna won her sixth Grammy Award, in the category Best Short Form Music Video for "We Found Love" (2011). Also that month, the United Kingdom's Official Charts Company announced that Rihanna had sold 3,868,000 records in the past year in the country, ranking at No. 1 in the list of 2013 BRIT Awards artist nominees. Rihanna's fifth headlining concert tour , the Diamonds World Tour, began in March 2013, in support of Unapologetic . Rihanna then appeared in the Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg comedy film This Is the End , which was released in June 2013. That same month, American hip hop artist Wale released a remixed version of his single "Bad" featuring Rihanna. In October 2013, Eminem released his Rihanna-assisted single, "The Monster", as the fourth release from his eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013).

In October 2017, Shakka revealed that he was working with Rihanna on her "absolutely insane" album. In December 2018, Rihanna announced that it is a reggae project. In December 2019, Rihanna alluded to her album being complete and indefinitely withholding the release date in an Instagram post. On October 28, 2022, Rihanna released the first single from the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack "Lift Me Up".

With sales of over 250 million records worldwide, Rihanna is the second-best-selling female music artist of all time. She has earned 14 number-ones and 31 top-ten singles in the US and 30 top-ten entries in the UK. Her accolades include nine Grammy Awards , 13 American Music Awards (including the Icon Award), 12 Billboard Music Awards , six Guinness World Records , and the NAACP 's President's Award. Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2012 and 2018. Forbes ranked her among the top ten highest-paid celebrities in 2012 and 2014. As of 2022, she is the wealthiest female musician, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion.

Aside from music, Rihanna is known for her involvement in humanitarian causes, entrepreneurial ventures, and the fashion industry. She is the founder of the nonprofit organisation Clara Lionel Foundation, cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty, and fashion house Fenty under LVMH ; she is the first black woman to head a luxury brand for LVMH. Rihanna has also ventured into acting, appearing in major roles in Battleship (2012), Home (2015), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017), and Ocean's 8 (2018). She was appointed as an ambassador of education, tourism, and investment by the Government of Barbados in 2018, and was declared a National Hero of Barbados on the first day of the country's parliamentary republic in 2021, entitling her to the style of "The Right Excellent" for life. Rihanna will be headlining the halftime show for Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023.

Rihanna is a mezzo-soprano , with a range spanning from B 2 to C ♯ 6 . While recording tracks for her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), Rihanna took vocal lessons from Ne-Yo. She said of the experience, "I've never had vocal training, so when I'm in the studio, he'll tell me how to breathe and stuff... He'll call out these big fancy words: 'OK, I want you to do staccato.' And I'm like, 'OK, I don't know what that is.'" Her vocal performance on Loud (2010) received positive reviews from music critics.

Growing up in Barbados, she mainly listened to reggae , hip hop and soca music. When she first came to the US, she was exposed to different types of music with "rock being one of them, and I fell in love with it. [Now] I love rock music." During her debut, she recorded songs that were inspired by her Caribbean roots and described her early sound as "a fusion of reggae, hip-hop and R&B, with a little something different thrown in". Her early dancehall roots can be found on her debut album, Music of the Sun , and its follow-up, A Girl like Me . Her debut album demonstrates the influence of Rihanna's musical heritage of the Caribbean. After her second album, she slowly dismissed her dancehall and reggae roots.

Rihanna's musical career has been an experiment with new musical ideas and stated that she wants "to make music that could be heard in parts of the world that I'd never been to". She began incorporating a wide range of genres including, pop, R&B , reggae, dubstep , hip hop and EDM . During a review for Good Girl Gone Bad , Slant Magazine to write that Rihanna "finally figured out that she's a dance artist and the majority of the album is comprised of uptempo dance-pop [songs like]" "Push Up on Me" and "Don't Stop the Music". It represents a departure from the Caribbean sound of her previous albums and is described as a turning point in her career. While the first half of the record shares many 1980s pop influences with songs like "Don't Stop the Music" and "Shut Up and Drive", the second half retreats into standard R&B.

In her fifth album Loud , Rihanna reflects on the fun and energetic vibe she had while recording the album. The album is a mixture of ballads, party anthems and empowering love songs. Talk That Talk was similar to Rated R , as both contain hip hop, R&B, dancehall and dubstep genres. Loud and Talk That Talk saw her return to her dancehall roots ("Man Down" and "Watch n' Learn"). She also branched out into house music with tracks like "We Found Love", "Only Girl (In the World)" and "Complicated". Her songs are also inspired through record sampling from other artists.

Rebel Heart tour 2016 - Melbourne 1 (25681497614)

Rihanna has named Madonna as her idol and biggest influence. She said that she wanted to be the "black Madonna" and praised her ability to reinvent herself throughout her career. She noted, "I think that Madonna was a great inspiration for me, especially on my earlier work. If I had to examine her evolution through time, I think she reinvented her clothing style and music with success every single time. And at the same time remained a real force in entertainment in the whole world." Another major influence on Rihanna's music and career has been Mariah Carey , whose song "Hero" she performed when Rihanna was still a teenager at her high school talent show. She revealed that Carey's song "Vision of Love" "was the song that made [her] want to do music."

In her youth, she would see Bob Marley on television because of his fame in the Caribbean. She stated, "He's one of my favourite artists of all time – he really paved the way for every other artist out of the Caribbean". She built a shrine in her home dedicated to the reggae legend and has covered Marley's "Is This Love" and Bob Marley & The Wailers ' "Redemption Song" during her concert tours. During her childhood, she would go around singing Whitney Houston songs and " A Whole New World " into her hairbrush so much that her neighbors started calling her "Robyn Redbreast". She also stated that one of the first songs she remembers falling in love with was Houston's version of " I Will Always Love You " and that it "was really inspiring, and it made me develop a passion for music, so really, she's partly responsible for me being here in this industry."

Rihanna was also influenced by Janet Jackson , Aaliyah , Tupac , Beyoncé and Destiny's Child . Other musical influences and idols include Celine Dion , Grace Jones , Lil' Kim , Alicia Keys , Prince , Fefe Dobson , and Brandy . Rihanna takes influence from the different types of music she discovered when she came to America and revealed that rock music was one of the first genres she fell in love with. She commented, "as I grow older, I want to know more about music. I want to discover more types of music". She cited Brandy's fourth studio album, Afrodisiac (2004), as her main inspiration for her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). In her early career, her music contained strong influences of Caribbean music, including reggae and dancehall . The music video of the song "Rude Boy" featured images inspired by her Caribbean roots.

Rihanna Met Gala 2017

Rihanna is regarded by the media as a pop and fashion icon, particularly since her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). Nick Levine of Digital Spy described Good Girl Gone Bad as "the closest thing to a Thriller that 2007/08 is likely to produce". According to Rolling Stone , her single "Umbrella" and her eighth album Anti are regarded as among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, respectively. Her single "We Found Love" was ranked by Billboard as the 24th biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit of all time and her single "Work" has been credited by a Billboard editor for bringing the dancehall genre to the forefront of mainstream American music. Music critic Jayson Greene of Pitchfork described Rihanna as the most influential singer of the past decade, writing:

"Rihanna Voice has become an industry-wide idea, a creative property like the Korg synth or LinnDrum [...] We crave the thrill that you can only get when a dozen or so good ideas manifest themselves in a single voice. For the past 10 years, that voice has more or less been Rihanna's. Now that she's gleefully shredding it apart, she'll probably generate a whole new comet trail of Rihannabes. Inevitably, none of them will carry the charge, the glassy cool and subterranean heat, of the real thing."

In August 2018, Billboard ranked Rihanna as the tenth biggest Hot 100 artist of all time, as well as the fifth biggest female act of all time. Billboard also ranked Rihanna the top Hot 100 artist of the 2010s decade. In 2014, Time magazine's pop stardom ranking metric ranked Rihanna second in history, based on all-time chart performance and contemporary significance.

Rihanna has become a dominating figure on social media and internet streaming, ranking at No. 1 on Forbes ' 2012 list of Social Networking Superstars. In 2013, Rihanna was also named the most influential pop star in the United Kingdom by UK channel 4Music. Rihanna's work has directly influenced numerous artists such as Lorde , Sam Smith , Little Mix , Rita Ora , Billie Eilish , Selena Gomez , Justin Bieber , Ellie Goulding , Kim Petras , Jennie from Blackpink , Marilyn Manson, Jessie J , SZA , Fifth Harmony , Camila Cabello , Demi Lovato , Alexandra Stan, Grimes , Sleater-Kinney, Tegan and Sara, Cover Drive , Cher Lloyd , Bad Gyal , and Era Istrefi .

Rihanna has an honorary title of Ambassador for Culture and Youth in Barbados. On February 22, 2008, former Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson launched the national "Rihanna Day" in their country. Although it is not a bank holiday , Barbadians celebrate it every year in honour of Rihanna. In February 2017, Rihanna was named Harvard University 's "Humanitarian of the Year" by the Harvard Foundation. During Rihanna's third annual "Diamond Ball", former U.S. president Barack Obama , praised Rihanna's work and stated: "[She's] become a powerful force in the fight to give people dignity." On September 20, 2018, Rihanna was appointed by the government of Barbados to be an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, with special duties of promoting "education, tourism and investment for the island." As of 2021, Rihanna is the world's wealthiest female musician with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion. She was also listed among Forbes ' Top 100 Most Powerful Women of 2019. In 2020, she debuted on the Sunday Times Rich List , claiming third place on the list of Britain's richest musicians.

At the 2020 NAACP Image Awards, hosted by BET , Rihanna accepted the President's Award from Derrick Johnson . Johnson stated that "Rihanna has not only enjoyed a groundbreaking career as an artist and musician but has also distinguished herself as a stellar public servant. From her business achievements through Fenty to her tremendous record as an activist and philanthropist, Rihanna epitomizes the type of character, grace, and devotion to justice that we seek to highlight in our President's Award."

Business career

Rihanna's first fragrance, Reb'l Fleur, was released in January 2011. According to Rolling Stone , Reb'l Fleur was a financial success and was expected to gross US$80 million at retail by the end of 2011. Rihanna's second fragrance, Rebelle, was released in February 2012. The promotional campaign for Rebelle, was shot by director, Anthony Mandler, who also shot the promotional campaign for Reb'l Fleur. In November 2012, Rihanna released her third fragrance, Nude. Rihanna's fourth women's fragrance, titled Rogue was released on September 14, 2013, followed by a male version entitled Rogue Men which was released in 2014.

On March 30, 2015, it was announced that Rihanna is a co-owner, with various other music artists, in the music streaming service Tidal. The service specializes in lossless audio and high definition music videos. Jay-Z acquired the parent company of Tidal, Aspiro, in the first quarter of 2015. Including Beyoncé and Jay-Z, sixteen artist stakeholders (such as Kanye West , Beyoncé, Madonna, Chris Martin , Nicki Minaj and more) co-own Tidal, with the majority owning a 3% equity stake. "The challenge is to get everyone to respect music again, to recognize its value", stated Jay-Z on the release of Tidal. In 2016, it was revealed that Rihanna would be releasing her music through her own label Westbury Road Entertainment, which was established in 2005. Westbury Road is the name of her Barbados residence. The music would be distributed through Universal Music Group . Westbury Road Entertainment's artist roster includes Melissa Forde as the label's photographer, and KazeLoon.

In November 2015, Rihanna and Benoit Demouy launched a beauty and stylist agency named Fr8me . The business based in Los Angeles was set up in order to assist artists in booking commercials, editorial shoots, ad campaigns, and red-carpet appearances. Rihanna stated, "Hair, makeup, and styling play an important role in creativity; I am very involved with that part of my process, so this agency was an organic thing for me to do." The roster includes Rihanna's makeup artist Mylah Morales, wardrobe stylist Jason Bolden, hairstylist Patricia Morales and Marcia Hamilton. In addition to Fr8me, Rihanna opened a photo agency called "A Dog Ate My Homework", which represents photographers Erik Asla and Deborah Anderson.

Fenty was a fashion brand by Rihanna under the luxury fashion group LVMH , which launched in May 2019. She was the first woman to create an original brand for LVMH and also the first woman of color to lead an LVMH brand. The house launched in a pop-up store on May 22, 2019, in Paris, before launching worldwide online on May 29 and included clothing, accessories, and footwear. It was the first line that LVMH had launched since 1987. The fashion brand was described as groundbreaking, and in a statement regarding the launch, Rihanna said that she had been given a "unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits." Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic , in February 2021, Rihanna and LVMH decided to "put on hold" her Fenty fashion house and continue building on the SavagexFenty lingerie line.

Rihanna exclusively uses her surname for business endeavors not related to her music career so as not to conflate the two. In January 2019, Rihanna filed a lawsuit against her father, Ronald Fenty, over the use of the Fenty name for commercial purposes. The lawsuit alleges Rihanna's cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty, was damaged commercially by her father's company, Fenty Entertainment, through misrepresentation of his company being affiliated with her. In September 2021 Rihanna dropped the lawsuit against her father.

Rihanna Fenty 2018 2

In 2017, Rihanna launched her critically acclaimed cosmetics company Fenty Beauty under LVMH 's Kendo Brands. Rihanna owns 50 percent of Fenty Beauty, according to Forbes. The partnership was worth $10 million and would see Rihanna release various beauty products. The first installment of Fenty Beauty was released on September 8, 2017, in stores and online, available in over 150 countries. It included an array of products including foundations, highlighters, bronzers, blush compacts, lip glosses and blotting sheets and was praised for its diverse range for all skin colours. Time magazine named Fenty Beauty as one of "The 25 Best Inventions of 2017", citing the breadth of its range. In what has been dubbed the "Fenty Effect", the brand revolutionized the way other cosmetic brands approached diversity in marketing and product formulation: "Suddenly beauty houses – niche, establishment and those in between – began extending their shade ranges to accommodate a wider variety of skin tones. Forty shades became the new standard."

In July 2020, Rihanna launched a skin care brand called Fenty Skin.

Other ventures

Rihanna at Fenty x Puma fashion show

Rihanna has ventured into other businesses and industries. In October 2005, Rihanna struck an endorsement deal with Secret Body Spray. In 2010, Rihanna featured in the Optus commercial, in conjunction with Optus supporting Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth. The same year Rihanna also featured in the Kodak commercial along with rapper Pitbull. In October 2010, she released a photo book featuring photos from the Last Girl on Earth tour and served as an accompaniment to her fourth studio album Rated R (2009). In 2011, Rihanna was the face of Nivea and Vita Coco.

Her first television program, Styled to Rock , premiered in the UK in August 2012 on Sky Living . In the 10-week series, Rihanna, Nicola Roberts, Lysa Cooper and Henry Holland assist up-and-coming British designers with their clothing lines. The US version of Styled to Rock premiered on October 25, 2013, on Bravo. In 2013, Rihanna collaborated with MAC Cosmetics and released her own summer, fall and holiday lines of makeup called "RiRi hearts MAC". In July 2013, lager production company Budweiser announced that Rihanna had become a part of their global "Made For Music" campaign, also co-starring Jay-Z.

Early in her career, Rihanna made clear her interest in fashion and desire to work in the clothing design industry. Regarding this, she said, "Fashion has always been my defense mechanism". In November 2011, Rihanna announced her first fashion venture with Armani . In February 2013, Rihanna presented her first women's fashion collection at London Fashion Week for British brand River Island, collaborating with her personal stylist Adam Selman. They published three more collections for the brand. Rihanna then collaborated with numerous fashion house's including Dior, Stance and Manolo Blahnik . In March 2015, Rihanna was chosen as the new face of Dior; making her the first black woman to be the face of the brand.

In 2014, Rihanna became the creative director of the fashion sportswear Puma , overseeing the brand's women's line which will include collaborations in apparel and footwear. The following year, Rihanna released her first trainer with Puma and it sold out online within three hours of its pre-sale launch. Over the next two years, Rihanna released various other footwear in different colorways and styles, which were all met positively by both critics and buyers. 2016 saw Rihanna debut her first clothing line in collaboration with Puma at New York Fashion Week; the collection was met with rave reviews from fashion critics.

Rihanna Cannes 2017 (cropped)

Rihanna made her acting debut in a cameo role in the straight-to-DVD film Bring It On: All or Nothing , released in August 2006. Rihanna starred as Petty Officer (GM2) Cora Raikes in her first theatrical feature film Battleship , which was released on May 18, 2012. Loosely based on the game of the same name , both the film and Rihanna's performance received mixed-to-negative reviews; the New York Times said she was "just fine in the rather generic role". In 2015, Rihanna appeared in the voice role of Tip in the animated feature film Home alongside Jim Parsons and Jennifer Lopez ; the film was based on The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex .

Rihanna played the recurring role of Marion Crane in the fifth and final season of Bates Motel . The show received universal acclaim from critics. Rihanna also had a major role in the Luc Besson film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets , an adaptation of the comic book series Valérian and Laureline . Also starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne , the film was released by STX Entertainment on July 21, 2017, in the US Rihanna was one of the all-female cast in the heist film Ocean's 8 , directed by Gary Ross and released by Warner Bros. on June 8, 2018. The movie grossed $300 million worldwide and became a major box office success.

In August 2018, it had been reported that Rihanna had been filming a secret project in Cuba titled Guava Island throughout that summer alongside Donald Glover . Glover's Atlanta collaborator Hiro Murai was directing, with Letitia Wright and Nonso Anozie also involved. The trailer for the full-length movie premiered on November 24 at the PHAROS festival in New Zealand. The exact details project were not announced until April 2019 when advertisements for Guava Island appeared on Spotify indicating something happening on "Saturday Night | April 13". It was later revealed Amazon Studios would distribute the film and Regency Enterprises had financed the film, which was released on April 13.

In 2006, she created her Believe Foundation to help terminally ill children. In 2007, Rihanna was named as one of the Cartier Love Charity Bracelet Ambassadors, with each celebrity representing a different global charity. To help raise awareness and combat HIV/AIDS , Rihanna and other public figures designed clothing for the February 2008 H&M Fashion Against AIDS line. In 2008, Rihanna performed a series of charity concerts entitled A Girl's Night Out to benefit the Believe Foundation. The concerts were made free for the public. Money from sponsors and advertisers were to be donated to provide medical supplies, school supplies and toys to children in need. In September 2008, Rihanna contributed to the song "Just Stand Up!" with fifteen other female artists, who shared the stage to perform the song live on September 5, 2008, during the "Stand Up to Cancer" television special. The proceeds from the single were given to the fundraiser. The television special helped raise $100 million for cancer research.

Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) in 2012, in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. Programs include the Clara Braithwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, and education programs. The CLF hosts an annual Diamond Ball charity fundraiser event. The inaugural event in 2014 raised over $2 million and the second raised over $3 million. On February 12, 2012, Rihanna performed a benefit show at the House of Blues to raise money for the Children's Orthopaedic Center and the Mark Taper-Johnny Mercer Artists Program at Children's Hospital. In November 2012, Rihanna gave $100,000 to food bank donation for Hurricane Sandy . On January 3, 2014, Rihanna was part of the MAC Viva Glam campaign, which benefits women, men and children living with HIV/AIDS. In March 2020, Rihanna donated $5,000,000 to COVID-19 relief and followed that up with additional donations of personal protective equipment to the state of New York and an offer of $700,000 worth of ventilators to her home country Barbados . In April 2020, Rihanna further donated an additional $2,100,000, matching Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey for a total of $4,200,000, to provide support and resources to individuals and children suffering from domestic violence amid the lockdown.

Rihanna2012

Rihanna owns a $14 million penthouse in Lower Manhattan . She also purchased a house in West London for £7 million in June 2018, to be closer to her work with her FENTY fashion label. In December 2018, Rihanna put her Hollywood Hills mansion up for sale after a break-in six months before. The mansion was reported to have sold for $10.4m. Forbes began reporting on Rihanna's earnings in 2012.

Rihanna began dating American singer Chris Brown in 2007. After their relationship ended in February 2009, she entered an on-again, off-again relationship with Canadian rapper Drake , which lasted from 2009 to 2016. During an interview with Rolling Stone in January 2013, Rihanna confirmed that she had rekindled her relationship with Brown. Their reunion followed persistent media speculation that occurred throughout 2012. In May 2013, Brown stated during an interview that he and Rihanna had broken up again. In 2017, Rihanna began dating Saudi businessman Hassan Jameel . They split in January 2020.

On May 19, 2021, American rapper ASAP Rocky confirmed during an interview with GQ that he and Rihanna were in a relationship. On January 31, 2022, it was revealed that the couple was expecting their first child. On May 19, 2022, it was confirmed that Rihanna had given birth to a son. On May 10, 2023, Rocky and Rihanna revealed their son's name as RZA Athelaston Mayers, named after Wu-Tang Clan leader and founder RZA . On February 12, 2023, during the Super Bowl LVII halftime show performance, Rihanna revealed she was pregnant with her second child, becoming the first person to headline a Super Bowl halftime show while pregnant. The pregnancy was confirmed in a British Vogue cover story featuring her family, which was released days after the Super Bowl appearance. On August 1, 2023, they welcomed their second son, named Riot Rose Mayers.

As of September 2018 [update] , Rihanna has sold over 250 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and honors, including 9 Grammy Awards , 12 Billboard Music Awards , 13 American Music Awards , 8 People's Choice Awards , among others. Rihanna received the "Icon Award" at the 2013 American Music Awards and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. She holds six Guinness World Records . In the United States, Rihanna has sold over 10 million albums, while Nielsen SoundScan ranked her as the best-selling digital artist in the country, breaking a Guinness World Record for digital single sales of over 58 million as of 2012.

On July 1, 2015, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced that Rihanna had surpassed more than 100 million Gold and Platinum song certifications. In doing so, Rihanna has the most digital single awards and is the first and only artist to surpass RIAA's 100 million cumulative singles award threshold. In the United Kingdom, she has sold over 7 million albums, making her the third best-selling female artist this century. According to Billboard , her total album sales stand at 54 million copies sold worldwide.

Rihanna has accumulated 14 No. 1 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the third most No. 1 songs in the chart's history. She has been named the top Mainstream Top 40 chart artist of the past twenty years by Billboard ; she ranks first with most entries (36), most top tens (23) and most No. 1 songs (10). As of March 2014 [update] , Rihanna has sold over 18 million singles and 6 million albums in the United Kingdom. She is the tenth best-selling and the second best-selling female singles artist in the country, only behind Madonna and is second only to the Beatles for the most million-selling singles in the UK of all time. Her collaboration with Eminem, "Love the Way You Lie", along with "Umbrella", "Disturbia", "Only Girl (In the World)", "We Found Love" and "Diamonds", are among the best-selling singles of all time. Rihanna has seven No. 1 singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and Airplay chart, as well as sixteen No. 1 singles on the Rhythmic chart. She has also earned over 30 top-ten songs in the UK and Australia, making her the only artist in the 21st century to achieve this feat so far.

Studio albums

  • Music of the Sun (2005)
  • A Girl like Me (2006)
  • Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)
  • Rated R (2009)
  • Loud (2010)
  • Talk That Talk (2011)
  • Unapologetic (2012)
  • Anti (2016)
  • Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)
  • Battleship (2012)
  • This Is the End (2013)
  • Home (2015)
  • Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
  • Ocean's 8 (2018)
  • Guava Island (2019)
  • This page was last modified on 20 July 2024, at 07:56. Suggest an edit .

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

Image may contain: Text

A Brief History of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s Relationship

Image may contain Rihanna AAP Rocky Blazer Clothing Coat Jacket Face Head Person Photography Portrait and Glove

Like any right-thinking human being, I only want the best for Rihanna, so I’ve been thrilled to watch the evolution of the 36-year-old singer and beauty mogul’s heartwarming and long-running relationship with rapper A$AP Rocky. The two first met over a decade ago, struck up a romance years after that initial introduction, and are now blissed-out parents to two children, RZA and Riot. Below, a refresher on how the couple went from musical collaborators to soulmates.

Image may contain Clothing Vest Lifejacket Water Accessories Glasses Adult Person and Tubing

2012: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky meet

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky first met during rehearsals for a performance at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and their relationship began not with a bang, but with a squeeze: Rocky cupped Rihanna’s backside onstage, which she says didn’t bother her. “My team was worried that I wanted to have his head on a mantle,” Rihanna told Interview magazine in April 2024. “But I was like, ‘Ah, nah.’ That’s why everybody was like, ‘Oh my god. She likes him.’”

2019: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky start dating (albeit cautiously)

Image may contain AAP Rocky Rihanna Adult Person Blazer Clothing Coat Jacket People and Wedding

Rihanna confirmed in the same Interview , uh, interview that she and A$AP Rocky took fashion inspiration from each other before they actually started dating, some seven years after first meeting: “I would wear his shit, he would show up to my launches. But it wasn’t until the end of 2019 [that we got together] …We’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve seen him in relationships. He’s seen me in relationships. We’ve seen each other outside of relationships. We knew what we’re capable of, and the trouble that we could bring to each other’s lives. We can make or break each other’s hearts. And so, we started dating with a lot of caution … I just let whatever was supposed to happen, happen. It was just, ‘This is a flower. It’s either going to die or blossom. But I’m going to let it decide itself.’”

2020: Rihanna turns A$AP Rocky into a certified Dewy Dude

Meghan Markle Wears the Ultimate French Girl Shoe in Colombia

“I had to discover face-cleansing and skin care all at the same time when I was a young buck in the shower,” A$AP Rocky said in a 2020 British Vogue video, appearing alongside Rihanna to promote her Fenty Beauty skincare line . He added, “You can’t wash your body with the same rag you wash your face with. I was lucky enough to be the type of guy that wants to wash my face.” Hang on to this one, Rih; sure, washing your face should probably be considered the bare minimum, but unfortunately, a lot of guys aren’t even there when it comes to skincare.

2020: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky take a COVID road trip

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

In her May 2022 Vogue cover interview , Rihanna rhapsodized about nights of casual outdoor grilling and tie-dye sessions on the epic road trip she took with A$AP Rocky from Los Angeles to New York in the summer of 2020. “I cooked our food on this little janky grill I bought from Walmart,” she told Chioma Nnadi. “I still have it, too. It works like nobody’s business. I love the simple things but also the grand adventures. There’s no pretentious my-brand-your-brand bullshit, it’s just us living. I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side.” We’re crying!

2021: A$AP Rocky gushes about Rihanna to GQ

“I think when you know, you know. She’s the One,” A$AP Rocky told the magazine in a cover interview, adding that he was already looking forward to starting a family someday. “Nah, but like, I think I’d be an incredible, remarkably, overall amazing dad,” he said. “I would have a very fly child. Very.”

2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky change the pregnancy-reveal game forever

Image may contain AAP Rocky Rihanna Clothing Pants Jeans Coat Adult Person Light Traffic Light and Body Part

Has there ever been a more striking fashion moment than Rihanna letting the world in on the news of her pregnancy while dripping jewels on a wintry Harlem street? I think not.

2022: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky become first-time parents to baby RZA Athelston Mayers

I know RZA is only two years old, but I’m pretty sure he's already much, much cooler than I am.

2023: Rihanna reveals she’s expecting Baby No. 2 with A$AP Rocky at the Super Bowl halftime show

Image may contain Clothing Glove Adult Person Dancing Leisure Activities Accessories Glasses and Music

Nobody does a pregnancy reveal like Rih, who wore a scarlet Alaïa and Loewe look to show off her second baby bump while performing at the Super Bowl LVII halftime show.

2023: Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, and RZA cover British Vogue

In a cover story celebrating her growing family , Rihanna gushed about RZA’s relationship with A$AP Rocky to British Vogue , saying, “Their connection is undeniable. The second Rocky makes eye contact with him he is on fire. He is obsessed with his father. And I’m like: ‘Didn’t I give birth to you? What is going on?’”

2023: Rihanna gives birth to her and A$AP Rocky’s second son, Riot

Image may contain AAP Rocky Rihanna Clothing Pants Jeans Face Head Person Photography Portrait People and Adult

“Having a house full of boys—I thought I was a girl mom, but I’m a boy mom. I love this. I love it,” Rihanna told Entertainment Weekly of managing her and A$AP Rocky’s transition to a two-child household. Naturally, Riot absolutely slayed his first family photo shoot.

rihanna brief biography

Vogue Daily

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Vogue. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

August 18, 2024

Rihanna Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Boyfriend, Children, Family, Facts, Wiki & More

Updated On : February 20, 2023

Rihanna Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Boyfriend, Children, Family, Facts, Wiki & More

BIRTHDAY 20 February,1988 (Saturday)
BIRTH PLACE Saint Michael
COUNTRY Barbados
AGE (in 2024) 36 Years Old
BIRTH SIGN Pisces
HEIGHT in centimeters-
in meters-
in Feet Inches-
WEIGHT in Kilograms-
in Pounds-

Rihanna Photos

Rihanna popularity on social media, short biography.

Rihanna was born on 20-02-1988 in the state of Saint Michael, Barbados. She is a Barbadian Singer, Songwriter, Fashion Designer, Model, Film Actress, Musician, Rapper, Dancer, Record Producer, Recording Artist & Philanthropist.

Other Name: Robyn Rihanna Fenty, RiRi, Caribbean Queen, The Barbados Babe, Queen of Pop, Bajan Beauty
Other Professions:

Rihanna Complete Bio & Career

Rihanna popular videos.

Rihanna Family, Relatives and Other Relations

Ronald Fenty
Monica Braithwaite
Rorrey Fenty, Rajad Fenty, Jamie Fenty (step-brother)
Samantha Fenty, Kandy Fenty (step-sisters)
ASAP Rocky
One (Name Not Known)
Chris Brown, Hassan Jameel

She was born to Ronald Fenty and Monica Braithwaite . She has two younger brothers named Rorrey Fenty and Rajad Fenty . She also has 2 half sisters named Samantha Fenty , Kandy Fenty and one half-brother named Jamie Fenty . Currently, she is in a relationship with  rapper ASAP Rocky and together has a son. Previousle, she has been dated Chris Brown , an American singer, dancer and a businessman Hassan Jameel .  

Chris Brown

Rihanna posted a photo with her cute child on her Instagram

View this post on Instagram A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri)

Life's Important Dates Of Rihanna

  • LIFE EVENTS
  • FAMILY EVENTS

Body Measurements

Breast Size 36
Waist Size 26
Hip Size 36
Body Figure 36-26-36
Skin Colour Dark
Eye Colour Green
Hair Colour Black

Personal Info

Home Town Saint Michael
Nationality ,
Religion Christian
Address New York City, United States
School Charles F. Broome Memorial School, St. Michael
Combermere High School, Waterford, St. Michael
College N/A
Qualification N/A
Hobbies Dancing and Partying
Marital Status Unmarried
Debut Album - “Music of the Sun” (2005)
Film - Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)
Best Movies Ocean's 8 (2018)
Best Friends Melissa Ford
Net Worth $260 Million (in 2018)
Official Website http://rihanna.com

Collections

Car Collections Chevy Suburban and Porsche 997 Turbo
Favorite Color Red, Green, Pink, Blue & Black
Favorite Player
Favorite Sport Football
Favorite Actress , ,
Favorite Actor ,
Favorite Movie Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Favorite Singer
Favorite Place St. Tropez and Barbados
Favorite Food Jerk Chicken of Barbados, Callaloo & Cheesecake
Favorite Band Paramore
Favorite Fashion Designer Dean and Dan Caten & Zac Posen

Shocking / Interesting Facts & Secrets About Rihanna

  • If she wasn't an artist, she would have been pursued a career in Psychology.
  • She was first spotted by music producer Evan Rogers.
  • She has been recently named the best-selling digital artist of all time.
  • She was good in studies and her favorite subject were chemistry and Mathematics.
  • All her sibling's name starts with the word "R".
  • She is the 6th most followed celebrity on Facebook.

Rihanna Age, Birthday Facts and Birthday Countdown

36 years, 5months, 29 days old age Rihanna will turn 37 on 20 February, 2025. Only 6 months, 1 days, 13 hours,6 minutes has left for her next birthday.

Saturday
Monday

Birthday Calendar

Recommended for you.

Maluma

Maluma Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Girlfriend, Family, Wiki & More

Parmish Verma

Parmish Verma Wiki, Age, Height, Girlfriend, Family, Biography & More

Shivangi Kolhapure

Shivangi Kolhapure Biography, Age, Husband, Children, Family, Caste, Wiki & More

Sunanda Sharma

Sunanda Sharma (Singer) Biography, Age, Height, Boyfriend, Family, Facts, Caste, Wiki & More

Salman Khan

Salman Khan Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Girlfriends, Family, Facts, Caste, Wiki & More

How old is Tim Walz? A brief biography of Kamala Harris' running mate

rihanna brief biography

Democratic presidential nominee  Vice President Kamala Harris  has chosen her running mate. On Tuesday, she selected  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz  to be the vice president on her 2024 campaign ticket.

The Minnesota governor had been speculated to be Harris' pick, among a short list of other contenders, such as  Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ,  Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly ,  Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear  and  Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg .

Alongside Harris, Walz is expected to make an appearance at a campaign rally Tuesday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Here's a brief biography of Tim Walz.

Tim Walz is Kamala Harris' VP pick: Minnesota governor named running mate: Live updates

How old is Tim Walz?

Gov. Tim Walz is 60 years old, born on April 6, 1964.

He was born in West Point, Nebraska, and grew up in Valentine, Nebraska. He joined the National Guard at 17 and served for 24 years. He earned a social science degree at Chadron State College in 1989 and a Master of Science in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2001.

After college, he taught abroad in China and returned to the States to serve full-time in the National Guard. He also taught social studies and coached at a school where he would meet his future wife, Gwen Whipple.

He served as a U.S. Representative for Minnesota's first district, serving six terms in the House from 2007 to 2019. He was elected Minnesota's 41st governor and his tenure began in 2019.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is Harris' VP. Who is his family?

Sign up for Your Vote: Text the USA TODAY elections team your political questions and get breaking news updates .

How old is Kamala Harris?

Vice President Kamala Harris is 59 years old, born Oct. 20, 1964.

When she was sworn in at age 56 in 2021, Harris became the first woman, the first Black American and the first South Asian American to hold the role of vice president.

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered.

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From " What are the requirements to be president? " to " Who was the youngest president ever? " to " Who was the first woman elected to Congress? " – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our  Just Curious section  to see what else we can answer for you. 

  • Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Rachael Lillis, Who Voiced Popular ‘Pokémon’ Characters, Dies at 55

Ms. Lillis voiced the characters of Misty and Jessie in the animated series based on a video game. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Rachael Lillis, with long, curly brown hair, speaks into a microphone.

By Claire Moses

Rachael Lillis, an actress who voiced the original English versions of Misty and Jessie, popular characters in the 1990s “Pokémon” anime television series, and later in the franchise’s movies and games as well, died on Saturday in Los Angeles. She was 55.

The cause was breast cancer, according to Laurie Orr, one of her sisters. Ms. Lillis had been diagnosed earlier this year.

Ms. Lillis started voice acting in the 1980s, according to her IMDB page, but her big break came in the late 1990s when she was cast in the English version of the “Pokémon” TV series, a popular Japanese anime based on the “Pokémon” video games. In hundreds of episodes over eight years, Ms. Lillis voiced the characters Misty, a trusted friend of the main character, Ash Ketchum, and Jessie, one of the show’s villains.

She also voiced those characters in “Pokemon” movies as the cultural phenomenon grew.

Ms. Lillis, who lived in Los Angeles, also was the voice of Jigglypuff, whose fairy song put listeners to sleep and was one of the creatures the characters pursue.

Ms. Lillis, who had dozens of other voice credits to her name, had a strong sense of humor and a talent for voice acting, said Eric Stuart, who voiced James, the other member of Team Rocket in the “Pokémon” series, and worked with Ms. Lillis for many years.

“If you met her, you’d not say this was so natural for her,” Mr. Stuart said in a phone interview. “Rachael in real life was pretty low key, kind of quiet and sweet,” Mr. Stuart added. “The minute she stepped in that booth it was like this whole other energy came out.”

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

IMAGES

  1. Rihanna Biography (Singer) baby, age, birthday, net Worth and more

    rihanna brief biography

  2. Rihanna

    rihanna brief biography

  3. 003. RIHANNA BIOGRAPHY IN ENGLISH

    rihanna brief biography

  4. The Untold Story of Rihanna

    rihanna brief biography

  5. Celebrating 10 Years Of Rihanna: The Launch Of Her Career And Secrets

    rihanna brief biography

  6. Biographie de Rihanna

    rihanna brief biography

COMMENTS

  1. Rihanna

    Singer Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in St. Michael Parish on the Caribbean island of Barbados. She is the eldest of three children born to Monica Fenty, an accountant, and ...

  2. Rihanna

    Robyn Rihanna Fenty (/ r i ˈ æ n ə / ⓘ ree-AN-ə; [2] [3] [n 1] born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman and actress based in the United States. She was cited as the best-selling female recording artist of the 21st century by Guinness World Records and is the wealthiest female musical artist with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion as of 2024.

  3. Rihanna

    Rihanna maintained a steely and seductive persona on the albums Talk That Talk (2011), which produced the infectious international hit "We Found Love," and Unapologetic (2012), which was anchored by the starry-eyed "Diamonds." The latter release also controversially featured a duet with Brown, with whom she rekindled her relationship for a brief time.

  4. Rihanna

    Robyn Rihanna Fenty, best known as Rihanna, (/ r i ˈ æ n ə / ree-AN-ə; [2] [3] [n 1] born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, model, actress and businesswoman. She is seen to be as one of the most successful singers in the 21st century, she signed with Def Jam Recordings in 2005 and found mainstream recognition following the release of her first two studio albums, Music ...

  5. Rihanna

    Rihanna. Actress: Battleship. Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988 in Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados to Monica Braithwaite, an accountant & Ronald Fenty, a warehouse supervisor. Her mother is Afro-Guyanese and her father is of Afro-Barbadian and British Isles ancestry. Rihanna lived the life of a normal island girl going to Combermere, a top sixth form school.

  6. Rihanna Biography

    Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty) is a Barbadian singer-songwriter considered to be one of the best-selling artists of all time. This biography of Rihanna provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline ... Best Short Form Music Video: Rihanna Feat. Calvin Harris: We Found Love (2011) 2012: Best Rap/Sung ...

  7. Rihanna

    Rihanna Biography Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, on February 20, 1988. She is a well-known singer, songwriter, model, dancer, actress, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and music producer of Barbadian and American nationality. Rihanna is the daughter of Monica Braithwaite, a retired public accountant, and Ronald Fenty, a commercial supervisor from both Barbados and Ireland.

  8. Rihanna: Timeline of Her Life and Most Iconic Moments

    Rihanna in the music video for "Umbrella." Rihanna/YouTube As Billboard's Joe Lynch writes, when "Umbrella (feat.Jay-Z)" dropped, "Rihanna already had two albums and four top 10 Billboard Hot 100 ...

  9. Rihanna

    Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, in St. Michael's Parish, Barbados. Her mother, Monica, hails from Guyana and is an accountant-turned-boutique owner. Her father, Ronald, is a Barbadian and has worked as a warehouse supervisor. Growing up, Rihanna watched her father struggle with addiction as he battled crack ...

  10. Rihanna

    Rihanna (real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty) was born and raised in Barbados. Her birthday is Feb. 20, 1988, and her height is 5'8". She got her start when at age 15, she met producers Evan Rogers and C…

  11. Rihanna's Life Story: From Island Tomboy to Platinum Pop ...

    Despite her young age, Rihanna's dream of getting her music out into the world falls short of her current reality. Within a decade, she has become a best-selling songwriter, singer, and actress. She has sold over 540 million albums worldwide, won countless awards, and is the youngest solo artist to score 14 Billboard music hits.

  12. Rihanna

    Rihanna - SOS (Official Music Video) Click to load video. In 2007 the planet starts to succumb to Rihanna's third album Good Girl Gone Bad - worldwide sales thus far are in excess of 10 ...

  13. Rihanna

    Robyn Rihanna Fenty, better known by her stage name Rihanna, was born in Barbados in 1988. Her childhood was deeply affected by her parents' marital problems and her dad's battle with drug and ...

  14. Rihanna Biography

    Living in: United States. Robyn Rihanna Fenty, known by the mononym Rihanna, is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, and actress. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados and raised in Bridgetown, during 2003 she recorded demo tapes under the direction of record producer Evan Rogers and signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning ...

  15. Rihanna Biography and Life Story

    Rihanna starred in her first theatrical feature film "Battleship", which was released on May 18, 2012. Her acting was labeled mediocre by many critics. Her acting was labeled mediocre by many critics.

  16. Rihanna facts: 23 things you need to know about the 'Lift Me Up' singer

    Rihanna stands at 5ft 8in, or 1.73 m, which is actually above average height for women in Hollywood! 13. Rihanna has been working with Puma since 2014. Rihanna was originally announced as Puma's ...

  17. The Transformation Of Rihanna From 17 To 33

    Brad Barket/Getty Images. When she was just a teenager, Robyn Rihanna Fenty signed to Def Jam and left her home in Barbados to live and work in Los Angeles full time. The mononymous superstar in ...

  18. Rihanna Height, Weight, Age, Boyfriend, Husband, Family, Biography

    Rihanna is official ambassador for Barbados' tourism agency. Rihanna had signed a $25 million with Samsung in October 2015, where she agreed to sell the Samsung Galaxy range and Samsung would support release her album ANTI and its World Tour. Rihanna's voice type is mezzo-soprano and her vocal range is three scales and two notes.

  19. Rihanna, a national hero in Barbados, and a superstar worldwide

    Rihanna was born in St Michael parish, Barbados to a Barbadian father and a Guyanese mother in February 1988. She grew up in Barbados, and won a high school talent show there with a rendition of ...

  20. Rihanna

    Short Bio » Pop Singer » Rihanna. Rihanna. February 20, 2023. Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, and actress. She's become the youngest solo artist to score 14 no. 1 singles on the billboard hot 100—the fastest to do so—she's sold more than 54 million albums and 210 million tracks worldwide. Rihanna is the "best ...

  21. The Tragic, Real-Life Story Of Rihanna

    The Tragic, Real-Life Story Of Rihanna. In 2005, 17-year-old Robyn Rihanna Fenty broke onto the music scene with the release of the smash hit "Pon de Replay." Since then, the world has watched her ...

  22. Rihanna Facts for Kids

    Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ree-AN-ə; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman and actress based in the United States.She was cited as the best-selling female recording artist of the 21st century by Guinness World Records and is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, with sales estimated at 250 million units worldwide. . Rihanna is the highest-certified female ...

  23. A Brief History of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's Relationship

    Like any right-thinking human being, I only want the best for Rihanna, so I've been thrilled to watch the evolution of the 36-year-old singer and beauty mogul's heartwarming and long-running ...

  24. Rihanna Biography, Age, Height, Weight, Boyfriend, Children, Family

    Rihanna (Barbadian, Singer) was born on 20-02-1988. Get more info like age, biography, family, boyfriend, husband, children, facts, height, weight, wiki & latest news etc. ... Short Biography. Rihanna was born on 20-02-1988 in the state of Saint Michael, Barbados. She is a Barbadian Singer, Songwriter, Fashion Designer, Model, Film Actress ...

  25. How old is Tim Walz? What to know about Harris' VP pick

    Here's a brief biography of Tim Walz. Tim Walz is Kamala Harris' VP pick: Minnesota governor named running mate: Live updates Gov. Tim Walz is 60 years old, born on April 6, 1964.

  26. Rachael Lillis, Who Voiced Popular 'Pokémon' Characters, Dies at 55

    Rachael Lillis was born on July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., the youngest of six girls. She graduated from Smith College, where she was pre-med, Ms. Orr said.