How much do you know about Rihanna?
The Barbadian singer rose to fame at
the age of 16, after the release of her hit debut single; Pon de Replay in
2005. The Barbados beauty has been a household name in the entertainment
industry since then, releasing hits like Diamonds, Umbrella, Stay, We found
Love, Don't Stop the Music, Take a Bow, Only Girl, and many more. Learn 15
facts you probably never knew about this record-breaking pop sensation, style
icon, actress, beauty expert and philanthropist.
1. 'Rihanna'
is the artist's real name. It happens to be her middle name, which means 'sweet
basil' in Arabic, and is pronounced 'Rih-Anna'. Her complete name is Robyn
Rihanna Fenty.
2. Rihanna
has two younger siblings, brothers Rajad and Rorrey Fenty. Their parents are
Ronald Fenty and Monica Braithwaite. They were married but divorced in
Rihanna's teenage years.
3. Rihanna
has been in the Guinness World Book of Records six times.
4. Rihanna
made her acting debut in a cameo role in Bring It On: All or Nothing, released in August 2006. She's featured in
other movies, such as Battleship (2012), This is the End (2013), Ocean 8
(2018), and Guava Island (2019).
5. The
31-year old mogul is the wealthiest female musician in the world. Her $600
million fortune puts her ahead of the likes of Madonna ($570 million), Céline Dion
($450 million) and Beyoncé ($400
million). Rihanna's sources of income include her long line of endorsements
with brands such as Chopard, Manolo Blahnik and
Stance; her Savage x Fenty lingerie line; her prosperous Fenty Beauty cosmetics
company; and her successful musical career.
6. Rihanna's
birthplace, Barbados, officially celebrates 'Rihanna Day' as a national holiday
on the eve of her birthday. Rihanna was born on February 20, 1988, at Saint
Michael, Barbados. February 21 has been 'Rihanna Day' in Barbados since 2008.
7. As a
pre-teen (aged 11), Rihanna served as a voluntary army cadet in a sub-military
program in Barbados. Barbadian singer Shontelle was her drill sergeant. If they
showed up late, they cadets were ordered to do push-ups.
8. Rihanna
launched her charity, the Clara Lionel Foundation, in 2012, in honor of her
grandparents. The charity's mission is making quality education and
healthcare accessible to children worldwide. The Clara Lionel Foundation
focuses its action on impoverished countries.
9. In 2007,
Rihanna was named the official face of Barbados tourism, and was given the
honorary title of "Ambassador for Culture and Youth".
10. Rihanna
has had her legs insured for $1 million. Rihanna reportedly decided to insure
her legs after receiving the Gillette's Venus
Breeze Celebrity Legs of a Goddess award in 2007.
11. Rihanna
is the second best-selling digital download artist of all time. According to
workandmoney.com, she has sold 125 million certified units. In 2015, she became
the first artist in history to have 100 million units of singles digitally
streamed or downloaded.
12. In
December 2016, Rihanna teamed up with Prince Harry to spread awareness about
AIDS. They met at the Barbados for the celebration of the 50-year anniversary
of Barbadian independence. They both took an HIV test, in a bid to destigmatize
the disease and make it a major concern in global conversations.
13. Rihanna
won her first Grammy at the age of 19, for her hit song Umbrella featuring Jay
Z. As of now, she has won 9 Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, 13 American
Music Awards (including the Icon Award), and 7 MTV Video
Music Awards (including the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard
Award).
14. Rihanna's
biggest idol and influence is Madonna. She said that she wanted to be the
"black Madonna", and praised Madonna for being able to constantly
reinvent herself successfully throughout her career.
15. The
street where Rihanna lived, in Barbados, has been renamed 'Rihanna Drive'.
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