When asked about their female role model, people usually respond with a close relative like a grandma, mom, or sister, or with a well-respected historical figure like Rosa Parks or Eleanor Roosevelt. Yet, when I am asked this question, the answer is almost always Rihanna. Initially, people think I am kidding for choosing such a “sassy” popstar so confidently, but the honesty is completely there. Rihanna is a true, but underrated role model. Here’s why:
She has great work ethic. She has mentioned in several interviews that she refuses to let her fame go to her head.
“There’s a long way to fall when you pretend that you’re so far away from the earth, far away from reality, floating in a bubble that’s protected by fame or success. It’s scary, and it’s the thing I fear the most: to be swallowed up by that bubble. It can be poison to you, fame.”
With each bit of success, she remembers to congratulate herself, but also makes sure to stay humble and focus on her next project.
“Even tragedy, every trial in your life, is a test. It’s like a class—you take an exam, and if you pass, you move on to the next. You still have to take another test and prove yourself again.”
The hard work she puts in also correlates with her passion. She will not put out a single or perform for the heck of it. The music she releases is genuine. Her songs are a part of her.
“If I love it, I’m gonna do it. I have to perform it for the rest of my life. A song is like a tattoo – you can never get away from it. You can’t stand behind something you don’t believe in. You can pretend for a little while, but there’s always going to be resentment. I can be who I am and sleep at night, knowing there’s no pressure to be anything else.”
She knows she deserves respect and is not willing to settle for less. Playing the waiting game is not and should not be a big deal for this successful and strong lady.
“You want them to feel good being a man, but now men are afraid to be men. They think being a real man is actually being a p***y, that if you take a chair out for a lady, or you’re nice or even affectionate to your girl in front of your boys, you’re less of a man. It’s so sick. They won’t be a gentleman because that makes them appear soft. That’s what we’re dealing with now, a hundred percent, and girls are settling for that, but I won’t. I will wait forever if I have to … but that’s O.K. You have to be screwed over enough times to know, but now I’m hoping for more than these guys can actually give.”
She will not let temptation get the best of her. It is more important for her to be true to herself.
“That’s why I haven’t been having sex or even really seeing anybody, because I don’t want to wake up the next day feeling guilty. I mean I get horny, I’m human, I’m a woman, I want to have sex. But what am I going to do—just find the first random cute dude that I think is going to be a great ride for the night and then tomorrow I wake up feeling empty and hollow? He has a great story and I’m like … what am I doing? I can’t do it to myself. I cannot. It has a little bit to do with fame and a lot to do with the woman that I am. And that saves me.”
She is not afraid to be herself, even though her way may not be the “common” way. In turn, this makes her a trendsetter.
“I don’t go out of my way to be a rebel or to have that perception, but a lot of the decisions I make, a lot of the direction I want to move, is against the grain, or against society’s tight lane, and I’m aware of that sometimes. It might not be fitting with the norm, but that’s OK for me.”
She encourages everyone to be a “bad chick” by being their true selves, through measures such as wearing whatever they want. Let’s be honest here, she truly does put her money and power to their best use when it comes to fashion.
“You will never be stylish if you don’t take risks. If you go into a men’s shop and try something, they would look at you like, that’s a bad b*tch.”
She does not claim to be perfect or hesitate to reveal her imperfections to her fans and the public. She does not try to sugarcoat anything to maintain a glamorous image. She is real.
“I’m the type where I let you know when things are great and when things are not great.”
She is a sweetheart, but also not afraid to show a flare of attitude to truly stand up for herself. She asserts her dominance when necessary.
When asked about what she thinks impresses her mom the most, she responded with:
‘‘She’s always impressed when she sees me being a little sassy or sharp, when she sees me defending myself. It makes her feel safe, like she doesn’t have to worry about me.’’
With all this said, it is clear that a woman as fierce, fashionable, talented, independent, and self-actualized as Rihanna is a true role model to admire.