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Rihanna’s Early Years
Splash News
Earlier that year, the young singer auditioned forShawn “JAY-Z” Carter, who was the CEO of Def Jam at that time. Her star factor was clear to the music mogul, who signed a 16-year-old Rihanna on the spot.
“When I met her that day I knew she was a star,” JAY-Z told Howard Stern in a2010 interview. “Just the way she walked in a room and her confidence … She belt out a tune and I told her, ‘There’s no way out of this office.’ I signed her that day.”
02of 33Music of the SunJim Spellman/WireImageRihanna’s first album,Music of the Sunwas released on Aug. 29, 2005, and in addition to “Pon de Replay,” it featured hits like “If It’s Lovin' That You Want,” which channeled her Caribbean roots.The album debuted at No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
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Music of the Sun
Jim Spellman/WireImage
Rihanna’s first album,Music of the Sunwas released on Aug. 29, 2005, and in addition to “Pon de Replay,” it featured hits like “If It’s Lovin' That You Want,” which channeled her Caribbean roots.
The album debuted at No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and No. 6 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
03of 33’Umbrella' EraJon Kopaloff/FilmMagicRihanna paired the meteoric debut of her third studio album,Good Girl Gone Bad,in 2007 with an equally earth-shattering transformation.The “Umbrella” singer traded in her honey-blonde locks for a jet-black pixie and established herself as a cultural trendsetter.
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‘Umbrella’ Era
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
Rihanna paired the meteoric debut of her third studio album,Good Girl Gone Bad,in 2007 with an equally earth-shattering transformation.
The “Umbrella” singer traded in her honey-blonde locks for a jet-black pixie and established herself as a cultural trendsetter.
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Rock Star Vibes
Jason Merritt/FilmMagic
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Red Hot
Ray Tamarra/Getty
06of 33Switching Things UpJames Devaney/WireImageNever one to settle on one thing, Rihanna arrived to theGlamour2009 Women of the Year Honors rocking a honey-blonde pixie.
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Switching Things Up
James Devaney/WireImage
Never one to settle on one thing, Rihanna arrived to theGlamour2009 Women of the Year Honors rocking a honey-blonde pixie.
07of 33Toeing the LineThe singer showed off her toned physique in a simple, yet daring Armani dress while on the 2012 Grammys red carpet. That night she performed a medley of her hits and picked up two awards for herKanye Westand Kid Cudi collab, “All of the Lights.”
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Toeing the Line
The singer showed off her toned physique in a simple, yet daring Armani dress while on the 2012 Grammys red carpet. That night she performed a medley of her hits and picked up two awards for herKanye Westand Kid Cudi collab, “All of the Lights.”
08of 33Girl on FireRicky Vigil M/GC ImagesThe singer set the streets of London on fire in 2012 with an edgy look featuring a leather jacket, fierce thigh high boots and dark shades.
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Girl on Fire
Ricky Vigil M/GC Images
The singer set the streets of London on fire in 2012 with an edgy look featuring a leather jacket, fierce thigh high boots and dark shades.
09of 33Shine Bright Like a DiamondJason LaVeris/FilmMagicRiRi smiled while holding her prize at the 2013 American Music Awards. The singer took home four awards that night — favorite female artist - soul/R&B, artist of the year, favorite album - soul/R&B and favorite female artist - pop/rock — following the success of her seventh studio album,Unapologetic.
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Shine Bright Like a Diamond
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
RiRi smiled while holding her prize at the 2013 American Music Awards. The singer took home four awards that night — favorite female artist - soul/R&B, artist of the year, favorite album - soul/R&B and favorite female artist - pop/rock — following the success of her seventh studio album,Unapologetic.
10of 33At the Ball GameJames Devaney/WireImageA known basketball fan, Rihanna sat courtside at the the 2013 Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets playoff game at the Barclays Center in N.Y.C.
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At the Ball Game
A known basketball fan, Rihanna sat courtside at the the 2013 Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets playoff game at the Barclays Center in N.Y.C.
11of 33Pristine SilhouetteLarry Busacca/Getty.Always a red carpet showstopper, Rihanna attended the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” 2014 Met Gala decked out in Stella McCartney.
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Pristine Silhouette
Larry Busacca/Getty.
Always a red carpet showstopper, Rihanna attended the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” 2014 Met Gala decked out in Stella McCartney.
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Swarovksi-ed Out
Andrew H. Walker/WireImage
In 2014, RiRi received the CFDA Fashion Icon of the Year Award. And, like a true icon, the singer attended the event wearing a sheer Adam Selman dress that featured a staggering 230,000 Swarovski crystals.
13of 33Basketball BabeNoel Vasquez/GC ImagesRihanna rocked a pink wig while at the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers playoff game at the Staples Center in 2014.
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Basketball Babe
Noel Vasquez/GC Images
Rihanna rocked a pink wig while at the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers playoff game at the Staples Center in 2014.
14of 33Charitable QueenJason Merritt/GettyOn Dec. 11, 2014, Rihanna hosted her firstannual Diamond Ball. The charitable event benefits theClara Lionel Foundation, an organization that “invests in climate justice initiatives in the Caribbean and United States and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters.” It was named after Rihanna’s grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite.The singer has also spent time workingwithDKMS, the world’s largest non-profit marrow donor center — to help raise awareness for the need for people to come forward to become donors.
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Charitable Queen
Jason Merritt/Getty
On Dec. 11, 2014, Rihanna hosted her firstannual Diamond Ball. The charitable event benefits theClara Lionel Foundation, an organization that “invests in climate justice initiatives in the Caribbean and United States and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters.” It was named after Rihanna’s grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite.
The singer has also spent time workingwithDKMS, the world’s largest non-profit marrow donor center — to help raise awareness for the need for people to come forward to become donors.
15of 33Pretty in PinkAxelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicThe songstress stunned in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2015 Grammys. She went home with yet another Grammy that night, for best rap/sung collaboration for her hit “The Monster” with Eminem.
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Pretty in Pink
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The songstress stunned in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2015 Grammys. She went home with yet another Grammy that night, for best rap/sung collaboration for her hit “The Monster” with Eminem.
16of 33Hitting the High NotesTrae Patton/NBCUThe “Stay” singer served as a key adviser to all the judges during season 9 of NBC’sThe Voicein 2015.
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Hitting the High Notes
Trae Patton/NBCU
The “Stay” singer served as a key adviser to all the judges during season 9 of NBC’sThe Voicein 2015.
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Hostess with the Mostest
Mike Coppola/Getty
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Foray into Design
JP Yim/Getty
19of 33Royal ReignRihanna and Prince Harry.Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty ImagesIn 2016, Rihanna joinedPrince Harryon his visit to Barbados,taking an HIV test alongside him on World AIDS Day.“I was so excited to find out that it was so easy, and the results come back that quickly —you can find out literally on the spot, your status, and it’s very discreet,” the pop star said.“The younger generation coming through want to talk about it, but there’s still that stigma. If us getting testing normalizes it and makes a difference, even a small difference, then job well done,” Harry said.
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Royal Reign
Rihanna and Prince Harry.Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images
In 2016, Rihanna joinedPrince Harryon his visit to Barbados,taking an HIV test alongside him on World AIDS Day.
“I was so excited to find out that it was so easy, and the results come back that quickly —you can find out literally on the spot, your status, and it’s very discreet,” the pop star said.
“The younger generation coming through want to talk about it, but there’s still that stigma. If us getting testing normalizes it and makes a difference, even a small difference, then job well done,” Harry said.
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Beauty Icon
Karwai Tang/WireImage
21of 33Floral BombGeorge Pimentel/WireImageRihanna served hyndrengea fierceness at the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between” Met Gala in 2017.
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Floral Bomb
George Pimentel/WireImage
Rihanna served hyndrengea fierceness at the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between” Met Gala in 2017.
22of 33On the Big ScreenBarry Wetcher.After making her silver screen debut in 2012’sBattleship,the singer joined the fierce female cast of 2018’sOcean’s 8.She also appeared in 2014’sAnnieand two episodes of 2017’sBates Motel, and lent her voice to Tip in 2015’s animated filmHome.“We all secretly wanted to be her favorite,“Ocean’s 8costar Sandra Bullockrecalled to the Associated Pressof time on set with the singer. “We would be really relaxed and tired in the room, and then she’d walk in the room and all of a sudden we’d be like, ‘So Rihanna, Rihanna …!’ "
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On the Big Screen
Barry Wetcher.
After making her silver screen debut in 2012’sBattleship,the singer joined the fierce female cast of 2018’sOcean’s 8.She also appeared in 2014’sAnnieand two episodes of 2017’sBates Motel, and lent her voice to Tip in 2015’s animated filmHome.
“We all secretly wanted to be her favorite,“Ocean’s 8costar Sandra Bullockrecalled to the Associated Pressof time on set with the singer. “We would be really relaxed and tired in the room, and then she’d walk in the room and all of a sudden we’d be like, ‘So Rihanna, Rihanna …!’ "
23of 33Pope FentyJamie McCarthy/GettyThe fashion queen turned heads with this pearl- and jewel-encrusted ensemble at the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” 2018 Met Gala. A replica of that outfit adorns her latest wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York.
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Pope Fenty
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
The fashion queen turned heads with this pearl- and jewel-encrusted ensemble at the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” 2018 Met Gala. A replica of that outfit adorns her latest wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York.
24of 33Belle of the BallRihanna.Steven Ferdman/Getty ImagesRihanna looked fierce while attending the 5th Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in 2019.
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Belle of the Ball
Rihanna.Steven Ferdman/Getty Images
Rihanna looked fierce while attending the 5th Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in 2019.
25of 33Love on the BrainJohn Shearer/WireImageWith things going well for her professionally, RiRi’s personal life followed suit.In 2020,a source confirmed to PEOPLEthat the billionaire businesswoman was in a relationship with A$AP Rocky after months of rumors. The two had been friends forover a decadebefore things got romantic.The stars giggled their way down the red carpet together at the 2021 Met Gala.
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Love on the Brain
John Shearer/WireImage
With things going well for her professionally, RiRi’s personal life followed suit.
In 2020,a source confirmed to PEOPLEthat the billionaire businesswoman was in a relationship with A$AP Rocky after months of rumors. The two had been friends forover a decadebefore things got romantic.
The stars giggled their way down the red carpet together at the 2021 Met Gala.
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Hometown Hero
Alamy Stock Photo
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rihanna/insatagram
She also showcased hergrowing belly in an Instagram carouselwriting, “how the gang pulled up to Black History Month.”
28of 33Cloud NineRich Fury/Getty for Fenty Beauty & Fenty SkinWeeks after the announcement, the couple looked over-the-moon happy at an event for Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin in L.A.
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Cloud Nine
Rich Fury/Getty for Fenty Beauty & Fenty Skin
Weeks after the announcement, the couple looked over-the-moon happy at an event for Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin in L.A.
29of 33Bumpin' AlongKevin Mazur/GettyThe soon-to-be-momma proudly flaunted her bump at an event celebrating the launch ofFenty Beauty at Ulta Beauty.
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Bumpin' Along
Kevin Mazur/Getty
The soon-to-be-momma proudly flaunted her bump at an event celebrating the launch ofFenty Beauty at Ulta Beauty.
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Hot Mama
Emma McIntyre/Getty
31of 33Parents' Night OutChristopher Polk/NBC/gettyRi & A$AP left theiradorable totat home and looked dashing while attending the2023 Golden Globesdecked out in all black.
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Parents' Night Out
Christopher Polk/NBC/getty
Ri & A$AP left theiradorable totat home and looked dashing while attending the2023 Golden Globesdecked out in all black.
32of 33Halftime HeadlinerRihanna.Apple MusicIn September 2022, the singer revealed she would be theheadliner of Super Bowl LVII’s Halftime Showin February 2023 via Instagram.With no words or grande paragraph, the Bajan starposted a photoof her hand holding up a Wilson Duke football. She simply captioned the picture with a period.The singerhas only released one solo—Wakanda Forever’s “Lift Me Up” — since 2016; her halftime show is giving fans hope for news of more music and a possible tour.Regardless, they’ll likely be seeing (and hearing) her again in March: the single is nominated for a Best Original Song award at the 2023 Oscars.
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Halftime Headliner
Rihanna.Apple Music
In September 2022, the singer revealed she would be theheadliner of Super Bowl LVII’s Halftime Showin February 2023 via Instagram.
With no words or grande paragraph, the Bajan starposted a photoof her hand holding up a Wilson Duke football. She simply captioned the picture with a period.
The singerhas only released one solo—Wakanda Forever’s “Lift Me Up” — since 2016; her halftime show is giving fans hope for news of more music and a possible tour.
Regardless, they’ll likely be seeing (and hearing) her again in March: the single is nominated for a Best Original Song award at the 2023 Oscars.
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Rihanna performing at Super Bowl LVII.Mike Coppola/Getty
source: people.com
