Shine bright like Rihanna

Since her last album released in 2016, ‘ANTI,’ the world has been begging for another. Despite this, the superstar and entrepreneur, Rihanna has only made large strides, magnifying her fame and fortune and dispelling the idea that a person should box themselves into one niche. With her extremely anticipated and highly watched Superbowl performance in 2023, and her achieved billionaire status as a result of her cosmetics empire, Fenty Beauty, Rihanna proves to be a highly inspirational case study. And, in spite of all this success, she remains true to her humble beginnings. ‘Empowered women, empower women,’ so let’s take a look into the powerhouse that is, Rihanna.

Beginnings, influences and breakthrough: ‘Pon de Replay.’

The girl from a little island in the Caribbean would not let geography, or family tensions in her home prevent her from chasing her dreams. After hearing that an American producer would be in town, the self-starter grabbed at the opportunity to kick-start her music career. Shortly after, ‘Pon de Replay,’ was created and would result in her being signed to producer and singer, Jay-Z. From the beginning, Rihanna had a natural inclination and determination to infuse Caribbean genres into her overarching pop and R&B music style. Her dancehall and reggae influences provided her music with a unique energy lending to the longevity of even some of these earlier tracks.

Breaking Boundaries: ‘Lift Me Up’

Her eight studio albums contain some of the most popular karaoke favorites and 12 of her records even surpassed one billion streams each. Her music allowed her to shine bright like a diamond, and gain immense recognition in the entertainment industry at large. Despite her evident talent for producing hit after hit, she allowed herself to explore further interests. Some may have recognized the slight Barbadian accent present in her voice-acting work in Home (2015), but many will recognize her for her role as the hacker in Ocean’s 8 (2018), the female-led installment of the Ocean’s franchise. 

With many more movies under her belt, including an Oscar-nominated single in the Black Panther soundtrack, her courage to cross industries is not simply impressive but a testament to her habit of accepting opportunities as they arise.

Entrepreneurial strides and billionaire status with Fenty Beauty: ‘B*tch better have my money.’

All Rihanna has to say is ‘Bitch better have my money,’ and her fans will empty their pockets. Manifestation at its finest. From her impeccable street style to having some of the most iconic MET Gala looks, Rihanna certainly made her name in the fashion industry, and this opened the door to many cosmetic collaborations throughout her early career. As a person of color, the cosmetic world can be difficult to navigate, especially the darker your skin tone. Representation in this industry was Rihanna's prime focus when birthing her cosmetic company, Fenty Beauty. The company opened releasing 40 foundation shade options which has since then increased to 50. Her strides towards promoting inclusion are further underscored in the diversity of her models, and access to virtual consultations in order for her customers to find the perfect shade for their skin tone. It is no surprise that a company built on the foundation, “so that every woman can be included,” would rise to become the most successful beauty brand today with an estimated value of $2.8 billion according to Forbes magazine. 

Along with her music career and additional pursuits, this venture catapulted her into achieving billionaire status becoming the youngest self-made billionaire in 2022, and often listed as the richest musician in the world, second to Jay-Z.

Humanitarian work, Barbados and Motherhood: “Love on the Brain”

Music and her beauty empire aren’t the only ways in which Rihanna shines “bright like a diamond.” In 2017, Rihanna was named the recipient of Harvard University’s Humanitarian of the Year award. This, she earned due to her contributions in the Clara Lionel Foundation, a charity organization that she founded. The foundation is rooted in climate activism, providing significant aid to those affected by and vulnerable to natural disasters in the Caribbean and the United States. In 2021, Rihanna was declared a National Hero in her home country, Barbados, by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley in the Independence Day ceremony. In her speech, Rihanna expressed, “I have traveled around the world and received several awards and recognitions, but nothing compares to being recognized in the soil that you grew in.” Her love for her home is evident in her humanitarian work, and frequent visits including often participating in the annual Carnival celebrations showcasing the Caribbean culture and parading in costumes of vibrant coloured feathers. Having welcomed two sons with rapper, A$AP Rocky, Rihanna is truly living proof that women can do it all and much more.

Follow your dreams no matter how big or how many, say yes to opportunities, and remember those who helped you along the way. And, if we put in the “work work work work work work,” these are the ways that we can all, in our own fields also “shine bright like a diamond.”