Over here at Her Campus, we’re still celebrating the life of the one and only Robyn Rihanna Fenty since her birthday on February 20. She has graced us with her life for 30 years now, and it’s only necessary that we spend some time appreciating all that she’s done in the years she’s been in the industry. Here’s our top 10 moments to remember of the already unforgettable life of the queen.
1. Her Bring It On Cameo
I think this is my first memory of Rihanna. The moment when she said the iconic line of judging by skills and not where they come from was one of the best in the movie. Then the Crenshaw Heights Warriors went on to be featured in that random beehive video shoot of “Pon de Replay” at the end of the movie, which was amazing despite the weird theme of it all.
2. Her Bates Motel Cameo
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Keeping up with the cameo theme, she really killed the role of Marion Crane in Bates Motel. This might be biased because I’m currently watching the last season of Bates Motel, but I felt like I was watching one of those extended music videos that are considered mini films, especially when she was giving me Carrie Underwood/Beyonce vibes (spoiler alert) when she used a crowbar to smash that cheater’s car windows.
3. The “Good Girl Gone Bad” Era
This was Ri’s third studio album, and it’s one of the best in my opinion. Released in 2007 (wow I’m old), it gave us hits like Umbrella, Don’t Stop the Music, Shut Up and Drive, Hate That I Love You, Disturbia, Take a Bow and If I Never See Your Face Again. She collaborated with JAY-Z, Ne-Yo and Maroon 5 on the album, and she received seven Grammy nominations for it. I think it was a defining moment in her career, and it definitely gave us some of the best bops of the mid-2000s.
4. Her First Grammy
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Rihanna won her first Grammy in 2008 for Umbrella, also during the “Good Girl Gone Bad” era. I really wanted to include this moment because “Umbrella” really impacted my life for some time; I couldn’t carry an umbrella without acting like I was in that iconic music video. This Grammy was the first of nine she has won, and I only see that number rising in the future.
5. Founding of the Clara Lionel Foundation
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Rihanna founded this nonprofit organization in 2012 to help impoverished communities around the world access education, healthcare and other necessities. The foundation honors her grandparents Clara and Lionel. The foundation’s website says, “We believe in the right to education as a weapon against injustice and inequality, and the right to health as a necessity for happiness and productivity.” Just another instance of Queen Ri changing the world one day at a time.
6. Rihanna + Drake
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These two have a long history with many memorable moments. The “What’s My Name?” video, the 2011 Grammy Performance, “Take Care,” then we see the relationship seemed to cool down a little. But in 2016, Ri came out with “Work” which sparked interest in the maybe couple again. This was also the year Drake confessed his love for her when he gave her the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs. They seem to have broken up in that same year too, but there’s always hope for another rekindling.
7. The Fact That There’s a “Rihanna Day” and a “Rihanna Street”
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Rihanna’s home country of Barbados might celebrate her more than anyone/anything else. On February, 22 2008, the country celebrated its first “Rihanna Day,” for which she flew back and performed a special concert. Last year on the country’s independence day, November 30, the prime minister held a ceremony renaming the street she grew up on from Westbury New Road to Rihanna Drive. Hey St. Charles, Missouri… want to rename a street for me?
8. “Fenty Beauty” Success
Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017 in over 150 countries. Time magazine listed Fenty Beauty as one of “The 25 Best Inventions of 2017” because of its assortment of colors fitting many skin tones. Fentybeauty.com says it “was created for everyone: for women of all shades, personalities, attitudes, cultures, and races. I wanted everyone to feel included.” I haven’t heard many bad reviews of the company, so I definitely think she has succeeded.
9. Really All of Her Fashion Moments
“Do my t*ts bother you? They’re covered in Swavorksi crystals, girl!” Also known as one of my favorite Rihanna quotes. That was when she was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America as a Fashion Icon in 2014. After that, she was continuously one to watch at the MET Galas, and she became a Puma ambassador and creative director, giving us those unreal suedw Fenty x Pumas that I still need to get my hands on.
10. Owning Herself
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After various media outlets were commenting on Rihanna’s weight, she addressed it, saying she “has had the pleasure of a fluctuating body type.” The way she has handled critics with a body positive attitude is something inspiring for all women, and it’s important for icons like her to speak out on those critics. She said fashion is “an individual thing,” and you have to see what works for you. Thank you Rihanna for being the positive role model we NEED.