Robyn Rihanna Fenty is Barbados's biggest musical export since... well, since forever. In the past year or so, the 18 year old R&B/pop singer has made major strides in the showbiz world — her achievements have included platinum selling albums, chart topping singles all over the world, lucrative endorsement deals, music-industry awards, and acting roles on TV and in film. Despite reading about all these things in the local press, I don't think that I really twigged to just how big our homegirl was, until I made a trip to Europe and saw her face, larger than life and twice as lovely, on billboards and posters and TV screens all over the place. It was then that I realised that Rihanna had really hit the big time.
The first time I heard of Robyn Fenty (before she was Rihanna) was a couple of years ago; she had just won a secondary school pageant, and there was a small story about her win, accompanied by a picture. I remember thinking, Oh, she's pretty, and turning the page. Then a few months later, she was "discovered" by an American record-producer in Barbados on vacation, and she became the talk of the town, and arguably the most famous Barbadian in the world right now.
Not all the local comments on her sudden rise to fame and fortune have been positive. I've heard deprecating remarks that have seemed to me to be motivated by nothing more than a bad case of the Bajan equivalent of Tall Poppy Syndrome. (People can be too bad-minded and grudgeful, though.) And I think she's had to learn pretty quickly that being in the public eye, being a bona fide celebrity, seems to mean that you are fair game for all kinds of criticism, constructive and otherwise.
As for me, I'm pleased as punch by Rihanna's stardom. I get a kick out of seeing her face on billboards and websites and magazine covers. I think it's fabulous that a little Bajan girl from out Westbury side is a big deal in England and Switzerland and Australia and Japan. I love that every bio and every story that I've ever seen or read about her mentions that she is from Barbados, and many refer to her Bajan accent. I am delighted that she is often referred to as charming, well-spoken, polite (as we Bajans would say, she got real broughtupcy!). I am not a big fan of the particular brand of pop music that she delivers, and I am quite cynical about the whole Hollywood-type celebrity thing, but I don't begrudge Miss Rihanna her success; indeed I wish her plenty more of it, and all good things.
(Pictures courtesy of Def Jam's official Rihanna site.)
Coincidentally, a short while after reading this I had switched on the TV and her video came on (one where she's having an affair with the man playing the piano). I'm not a fan of Hollywood-celebritydom myself ... and I don't know how easy it was for her behind the scenes to make the shift to being 'a star' ... but from what I see she seems to have fit naturally and well into that new domain. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up in film/acting next. She has that on-screen presence.
Posted by: Elspeth | July 05, 2006 at 11:19 AM
I'm proud of her success as well. It's good to see Caribbean people going global with their music.
Posted by: Leon | July 14, 2006 at 03:12 PM
It's cool to see a Caribbean girl doing something BIG...I'm proud of her...maybe someday I can be equally known..not for my singing or entertaining talents alas...but in ten years time I'll let you know. :-)
Posted by: Zayne | July 21, 2006 at 10:30 AM
I'm by no means a big fan of all the pop culture, celebrity status thing, but it does give me a good feeling to see her videos on the French music video channels. Even my husband who isn't a fan of R&B stays on the channel to watch her :)
Posted by: Francine | August 07, 2006 at 07:49 AM
hey robyn (rihanna) i love you im your biggest biggest FAN. So wat have you been up to are you making a new song. OMG can you make a song bout me please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! luv
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Posted by: chloe | April 19, 2008 at 03:42 AM
Robyn(Rihanna) I am your biggest male fan and i am in love with you and your music. You are the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life time and I am sure about that. keep up the wonderful work.your amazing luv LOVELESS
Posted by: Paul H aka LOVELESS | May 05, 2008 at 03:01 AM
Robyn, I heard one of your tracks when in Barbados and think that you have an amazing R & B voice
Posted by: caribbean Holidays | October 31, 2009 at 01:32 PM
I always wondered why he was not a way bigger star than he is. I would think some one like him would be a mogal by now. It must be because he is openly gay or would not sell out, i dunno.
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