Rihanna

Rihanna has captivated the world with her incredible vocal talents, become an internationally renowned designer with Savage X Fenty, dabbled in acting, released a beauty line and now after years of speculation whether she would eventually join ‘the club’, has revealed that her and boyfriend Rocky A$AP are expecting a baby later this year. She is crossing things off her to do list with panache.

MINI RI RI

Like everything Rihanna does, she let the world know she was pregnant in the most Rihanna way possible. While out with Rocky in Harlem, NYC, she was being followed by the paparazzi and had a moment where she just flung open her jacket to reveal her baby bump in full view of the awaiting paps.

The press coverage was monumental, not only because she was standing in a park in the freezing cold snow, but because the bump was so huge. Despite the rumour mill whirring, Rihanna had evaded the media finding out about her pregnancy for a good 4 months it is expected. With no due date or sex of the baby to be officially announced, Rihanna’s pregnancy is going to be big news this year. Watch this space.

FEATURES

ROLLERCOASTER ROMANCES

The ‘Diamonds’ singer has been in and out of relationships with high profile stars for years, including a well-publicised relationship with Chris Brown that ended after 2 years in 2009 when the ‘Freaky Friday’ hitmaker physically assaulted Rihanna.

She then had a seven-year, on-off relationship with Drake and a 2015 fling with Travis Scott as well as dating baseball player Matt Kemp for just under a year.

Rihanna first started seeing rapper Rocky A$AP, who she has been friends with since their first 2012 collaboration, in 2019.

It wasn’t until May 2021 that the couple officially confirmed their romance though. Speaking to GQ Magazine earlier in the year, 33-year-old Rocky called her “the one” and also described her as “the love of my life.”

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, both wearing pieces by Gucci including gloves from the adidas x Gucci collection. (as seen below).

MUSIC MOGUL

Rihanna started her music career at the age of 15 after she performed for music producer Evan Rogers and Carl Struken in 2003 after flying from the Bahamas to audition. Her debut album ‘Music of the Sun’ was released by Def Jam in 2005. But it wasn’t until 2007 that the singer gained global recognition with the release of her album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ and best-selling track ‘Umbrella’. Since then, there has been nothing stopping RiRi to achieving global music star status. With 14 number ones, sales of over 250 million records worldwide, she is now ranked as the wealthiest ever female musician - with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion.

Rihanna has produced eight albums altogether, the last one called ‘Anti’ back in 2016. She decided to press pause on her music career to pursue her other business interests – namely her fashion and beauty

lines – but has always told fans she will be back in the studio one day.

FASHION FORWARD

Rihanna plays the part of fashion royalty and urban princess seamlessly, which is another part of her wide-ranging appeal. She oozes body confidence, while her hourglass figure and statuesque legs make her every designer’s dream. She has influenced many fashion trends in the past few years as well as having been inaugurated into the fashion hall of fame. It was only going to be a matter of time till savvy businesswoman Rihanna got in on the action. After taking a break from her music career, Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty) launched her lingerie brand Savage X Fenty and later she teamed up with luxury fashion group LVMH to launch Fenty in 2019. Due to Covid she “put on hold” the Fenty fashion commitment and poured all her attention into growing Fenty Beauty (her make-up and skincare range with LVMH’s Kendo) now worth a whopping $2.8bn and the hugely successful Savage X Fenty, reportedly worth £1bn, according to Forbes.

POSITIVE ROLE MODEL

Another huge reason for Savage X Fenty’s success, apart from selling exquisitely produced lingerie at affordable prices, is the inclusiveness of the brand. Rihanna uses a wide range of models in every dress size to showcase the brand. It has been positively received by fans and her Savage X Fenty fashion shows attract the who’s who of pop culture, music and choreography and even has its own show on Amazon Prime, another money spinner for her.

While Rihanna has always been an advocate of promoting positive body image, she has also used her platform for good. In 2006 she created the Believe Foundation to help terminally ill children and in 2012 created the Clara Lionel Foundation in Barbados to honour her grandparents and provide oncology and medicine to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados. In 2020 she donated $5m to the Covid 19 Relief Fund and a further $2.1m to provide support and resources to individuals and children suffering from domestic violence amid the lockdown.