\nFor some artists, change is a bad thing. Why fix something that ain\u2019t broke? However, the last thing Rihanna ever wants to do is stay the same for too long. Every album brings with it a new era of music, and an appropriate look to go with it. The singer has changed so much over the years that it\u2019s hard to remember where it all began. Has she gone too far with her transformation, or would Rihanna not be as successful as she is if it wasn\u2019t for all those changes?
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\n[post_page_title]Musical chameleon[\/post_page_title]
\nWe can\u2019t think of many people in the music industry who change up their look quite as much as RiRi. Every time Rihanna announces she\u2019s got a new album coming out, she completely changes up her style.
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\nWhether it\u2019s her hairstyle (and color), the way she dresses, or just a little bit of everything, the singer can never stick with one look for long. It\u2019s kept her relevant in the music scene and helped her sell millions of records, but is she still the same woman underneath it all?
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\n[post_page_title]Troubled beginnings[\/post_page_title]
\nLife didn\u2019t start out great for Rihanna. Her father had a severe substance abuse problem that put a strain on their home life, the stress of which affected the singer\u2019s health.
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\nFortunately, things improved for RiRi once music came into her life. As she entered her teenage years, the possibility of becoming a singer seemed too enticing to resist. It wasn\u2019t long before a record producer discovered her in Barbados and flew her over to the US to record some demos. Those tracks eventually ended up in Jay-Z\u2019s hands.
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\n[post_page_title]Worth the risk[\/post_page_title]
\nAt the time, Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s husband had only just been made the president of Def Jam Recordings. He wasn\u2019t sure about signing Rihanna, afraid she didn\u2019t have the talent to make it, but he changed his mind after seeing her perform live.
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\nSoon enough, she was signing on the dotted line and bagging herself a six-album deal with the rapper. Now, all she had to do was prove she was worth the risk. Luckily, her first two albums were both top ten hits on the Billboard 200, peaking at ten and five respectively.
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\n[post_page_title]Good girl gone bad[\/post_page_title]
\nAfter \u201cMusic of the Sun\u201d and \u201cA Girl like Me\u201d both found great success, it was clear Rihanna was a star on the rise. However, with her music being unfavorably compared to Beyonc\u00e9, the singer knew she had to set herself apart from the crowd.
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\nShe moved away from her Caribbean sound and went for something that was more dance-pop R&B. It wasn\u2019t simply a sonic change that accompanied her third release, \u201cGood Girl Gone Bad.\u201d As the album name suggested, it was time to lose her innocence.
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\n[post_page_title]A symbol of desire[\/post_page_title]
\nRihanna wanted an edgier image for her new era of music, and it paid off massively. Her first two albums might have performed well, but the success of \u201cGood Girl Gone Bad\u201d was greater than RiRi could have ever imagined.
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\nWorldwide sales of the album exceeded nine million units, roughly a third of which were from the US. People responded positively to the change with many now seeing the star as more of a pin-up. She wasn\u2019t afraid of expressing herself, no matter whether people thought it appropriate or not.
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\n[post_page_title]Victim of abuse[\/post_page_title]
\nNot long after her image change, Rihanna ended up in a high-profile relationship with fellow singer Chris Brown. The two seemed like a good fit, but things took a dark turn after only being together for a year.
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\nFollowing a fall out between the two, things got physical, with Brown assaulting his girlfriend. His behavior saw him get arrested and receive a sentence of five years probation, but no amount of punishment would change the impact he\u2019d had on RiRi. The assault changed her mentally and emotionally forever.
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\n[post_page_title]Come to the dark side[\/post_page_title]
\nBrown\u2019s physical abuse had far-reaching consequences, ultimately shaping the sound of Rihanna\u2019s fourth album, \u201cRated R.\u201d The release was her darkest one yet, both in atmosphere and lyrics, and utilized elements from hip-hop, rock, pop, and R&B.
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\nCritics loved the change in direction and praised the album as Rihanna\u2019s most personal to date, but sales weren\u2019t quite as impressive. Although it still shifted millions of copies around the world, that was just a fraction of what \u201cGood Girl Gone Bad\u201d had managed. It was time to change again.
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\n[post_page_title]Unrivaled success[\/post_page_title]
\nIn less than a year, RiRi was ready to release yet another album, and it saw her return to the lighter side of life.
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\nShe debuted a red hairdo in her video for lead single \u201cOnly Girl in the World,\u201d a single which became her sixth to chart at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It was clear that her success wasn\u2019t going anywhere, especially with her fifth album \u201cLoud\u201d going on to sell over eight million copies. It helped that she got people talking with songs like \u201cS&M.\u201d
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\n[post_page_title]No stopping her now[\/post_page_title]
\nThere was no sign of Rihanna losing her momentum – if anything, it was gaining. By the time she launched \u201cTalk That Talk,\u201d she\u2019d gotten into the habit of releasing a new album every year, and none of them were struggling in the charts.
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\nThe release peaked at three in the US and became her fifth album to sell over a million copies, although it was the lead single \u201cWe Found Love\u201d that really performed well. After shifting over 10.5 million copies, it became one of the biggest selling songs in history.
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\n[post_page_title]An unfortunate misstep[\/post_page_title]
\nWith her music career thriving, Rihanna decided to explore other avenues. She signed on for the sci-fi action film \u201cBattleship\u201d in 2012, her first major foray into acting.
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\nThe movie featured several big name actors, including Liam Neeson and Alexander Skarsg\u00e5rd, but no amount of star power could turn \u201cBattleship\u201d into a success. It received fairly average reviews, with the comments about Rihanna\u2019s performance leaving a lot to be desired. This was the first time she\u2019d really slipped up in her career, but RiRi wasn\u2019t going to let her mistake define her.
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\n[post_page_title]Back from the brink[\/post_page_title]
\nDesperate to prevent \u201cBattleship\u201d from tarnishing her reputation, it wasn\u2019t long before Rihanna came back with yet another new album.
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\nHer fourth effort in three years, \u201cUnapologetic\u201d became her first to hit number one in the US and reminded everyone she was still a dominant force in the music scene. The change between this album and \u201cTalk that Talk\u201d wasn\u2019t hugely different, but clearly sticking to the same sound paid off for once. She could rest easy knowing that she still had it, not that she\u2019d ever really lost it.
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\n[post_page_title]Going on hiatus[\/post_page_title]
\nDespite making up for her acting faux pas with her seventh album, RiRi decided to take a break from music after releasing \u201cUnapologetic.\u201d She wanted a break from the scene so she could focus on herself and explore any other endeavors that caught her eye.
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\nAlthough she returned to making music at the start of 2014, the break allowed Rihanna to find a new sound for herself and prepare for the next chapter in her life. The new album wasn\u2019t going to be one that people expected from her.
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\n[post_page_title]Broadening her skillset[\/post_page_title]
\nDuring her break and in the years following, Rihanna made several more attempts at breaking into the film industry. Luckily, these proved that her work on \u201cBattleship\u201d was just a one-off.
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\nShe provided the voice of one of the leads in the animated film \u201cHome,\u201d a movie that she also produced the soundtrack for, and starred in the final season of horror drama \u201cBates Motel.\u201d In the latter, RiRi portrayed the iconic character Marion Crane, a role that received universal acclaim and proved that the singer really could act.
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\n[post_page_title]Return to the spotlight[\/post_page_title]
\nIn 2016, Rihanna became the center of attention once again when she launched her musical campaign for her eighth album, \u201cAnti.\u201d Inspired by hip-hop soul music, the release moved away from the dance roots that had influenced many of her most successful albums.
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\nThe change in pace certainly didn\u2019t impact sales as it went on to shift more than three million copies (although Samsung did buy a million of them to offer as free downloads) and helped Rihanna bag her second number one in the US. Apparently, the singer just can\u2019t release an unsuccessful album.
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\n[post_page_title]Beauty sells[\/post_page_title]
\nShe might be best known for her music, but RiRi\u2019s success has allowed her to explore many other ventures throughout her career. One thing she\u2019s been heavily involved with in more recent years is fragrances and beauty products.
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\nThe singer has been launching her perfumes since 2011, and in 2017, she struck a deal for her own cosmetic company. Named Fenty Beauty in honor of her surname, the merchandise has been highly praised for its excellent quality and diverse range of products.
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\n[post_page_title]Bigger is better[\/post_page_title]
\nRihanna\u2019s interest in beauty products is no surprise given she\u2019s always attracted attention for her looks. However, having her fame tied to her appearance comes with its share of downsides. Ever since Rihanna started displaying a fuller figure, people can\u2019t seem to talk about anything else.
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\nHer appearance at the 2018 Grammy Awards led viewers to speculate about whether or not she was pregnant, all because her figure wasn\u2019t as slim as it used to be. That\u2019s a big leap to make just because of a little extra weight.
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\n[post_page_title]Everyone’s a critic[\/post_page_title]
\nAny time a celebrity puts on weight, people take to social media and share their views on the matter. It\u2019s been no different with Rihanna, and thousands of people have voiced their opinions on her bigger size. Unfortunately, a lot of them haven\u2019t been too kind.
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\nAfter her Grammy\u2019s performance, one person accused her of gorging on too many all you can eat buffets, with others saying a lot worse. It seems like woman who lives her life in the spotlight is expected to spend every waking hour at the gym.
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\n[post_page_title]Taking on the trolls[\/post_page_title]
\nRihanna is well aware of what people have said about her body, but she isn\u2019t bothered about it. Why should she be when she\u2019s one of the most successful musical artists in the world?
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\nRather than take everyone\u2019s comments to heart, the singer used her interview with Vogue magazine to tell her side of the story. She revealed that she never takes her appearance too seriously and feels confident in her body, no matter what size it is. That\u2019s precisely the kind of thing that RiRi\u2019s young fans need to hear.
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\n[post_page_title]No time for negativity[\/post_page_title]
\nRihanna also used her interview to discuss her lingerie line, which she revealed has been designed for all body shapes. She doesn\u2019t want anyone to feel uncomfortable in her underwear and hopes her lingerie will help women to embrace their bodies more.
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\nIn the interview, RiRi said that she\u2019s never had the type of figure you\u2019d find on a Victoria\u2019s Secret model, but that\u2019s never stopped her from viewing herself as beautiful. She doesn\u2019t know why it would. Her opinion is the only one that matters when it comes to her body.
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\n[post_page_title]Don’t stop the music[\/post_page_title]
\nNo matter what the haters try to say about her, Rihanna’s too busy enjoying the dizzying heights of her success to worry about them.
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\nWith 54 million worldwide sales, 14 number ones on the Billboard Hot 100 (including 11 as the main artist), and several dozen awards, there are few singers in history more successful than her. Rihanna could retire tomorrow, and she\u2019d still have more than enough money to see her through to the end of her days. Her legacy is one that has no expiration date.
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\n[post_page_title]Ready for a change[\/post_page_title]
\nThere are times in Rihanna\u2019s life when she\u2019s been through the wringer, but she\u2019s always come out the other side stronger than ever. Sure, she\u2019s constantly had to change her style to keep herself going, but it\u2019s kept her music fresh where others have faltered.
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\nWith her ninth album speculated for release sometime in the near future, we\u2019re sure it\u2019ll bring yet another new look and sound that she can add to her extensive repertoire. Maybe her transformation will stop one day, but for now, it\u2019s full speed ahead.
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\n[post_page_title]Songs about Chris[\/post_page_title]
\nNeedless to say, Rihanna’s experience with Chris and the assault left a huge mark on her life. There are several songs that people have speculated to be about the rapper.
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\nThis was a dark moment in the artist’s life, and thankfully, she was able to push through and keep her place at the top. It shows that she is still able to be successful and keep on keeping on – Chris’ career suffered tremendously after the incident. Sorry, Chris, but you can’t bring RiRi down.
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\n[post_page_title]Love Without Tragedy[\/post_page_title]
\nThe lyrics to the song Love Without Tragedy seem to detail the night with Chris Brown. Though Rihanna has never commented on the matter, sources say the song is definitely about him, and fans believe it, too.
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\nShe talks about a night in a car that sounds far too similar to the night of Brown’s scary assault against her. Rihanna mentions crying in her sleep, how he took the best years of her life, and how she was struck and hopes not to be struck again.
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\n[post_page_title]Diamonds[\/post_page_title]
\nThough Rihanna did not actually write the song Diamonds – Sia did – there is no doubt that the video has some symbolism about her relationship with Chris Brown.
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\nFor instance, there is a tattooed arm throughout that may represent Chris’ arm; there is a scene with a man who looks just like him; and there is also a part where she is running away from a car, which could definitely be pointing toward that night. There are also signs that Rihanna had forgiven her former boyfriend. Either way, the video is an emotional work of art.
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\n[post_page_title]Accountant problems[\/post_page_title]
\nChris isn’t the only man that Rihanna has had legal issues with. Thankfully, the other one did not physically harm her, but he did financially destroy her. The singer’s accountant mismanaged her funds and kept more than his fair share, nearly leaving her broke.
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\nThis led to a lawsuit in which the accountant was forced to pay Rihanna back. Thankfully, this little setback did not necessarily affect her that much, as she is currently worth about $260 million. She took the experience and, of course, turned it into a bestseller.
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\n[post_page_title]B**** Better Have My Money[\/post_page_title]
\nWe all remember the song that repeats over and over again in the lyrics about how badly Rihanna wants her money. This tune became wildly popular thanks to its catchy beat, and it is actually based on the singer’s real life.
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\nYes, RiRi loves her money, but that’s not necessarily what the song is about; she specifically wrote these lyrics about her accountant and how she almost went broke because of him. Imagine, Rihanna, bankrupt – needless to say she was pretty angry at this particular man.
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\n[post_page_title]The video[\/post_page_title]
\nIf you thought she sounded angry in the lyrics to this song, the music video may just terrify you. It is clearly a revenge plot about what Rihanna dreamed of doing to get back at her accountant. How do we know?
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\nShe has subtle clues and signs throughout pointing to this; one specific instance is where there is an arrow next to the man in the video with the words “The Accountant” written next to it. Rihanna basically becomes a psychopath and proves that people probably shouldn’t mess with her.
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\n[post_page_title]Tattoos[\/post_page_title]
\nNow that we’ve gone through the obvious changes in Rihanna’s appearance and music, let’s talk about her tattoos. The artist has collected several different ink stains on her body over the years and most represent something special to her.
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\nWith over 20 different tats, she still gets excited with each addition. Some notable ones are the 1988 on her ankle, representing the year she was born and the words “thug life” on her knuckles as a tribute to the late but legendary rapper Tupac Shakur.
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\n[post_page_title]Ocean’s 8[\/post_page_title]
\nIn 2018, Rihanna came back to acting and rocked the big screen in the blockbuster film Ocean’s 8. She portrayed a heist-woman alongside iconic actresses such as Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, and Sarah Paulson – Anne Hathaway also starred in the movie.
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\nRihanna played the character Nine Ball and she was the computer hacker who helped get into the security and camera systems in order for the robbers to steal the jewels they had intended to steal. This was the perfect role for Rihanna and she pulled it off splendidly.
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\n[post_page_title]Taste of the Caribbean[\/post_page_title]
\nNo matter where Rihanna’s career takes her and what she looks like, there is one thing about her that she will never forget. She is from Barbados and will always have pride in her Caribbean background.
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\nWhen she started in the entertainment and music industry, she had the intent of giving the world a little taste of her Caribbean style, and, though her style has changed quite a bit, she still loves her home and where she comes from.
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\n[post_page_title]Innocent to bad[\/post_page_title]
\nRihanna’s first single hit the public back in 2005, so that means she has been rocking the music world for over a decade and doing it in style. She may have started off as an innocent, sweet girl with her song Pon de Replay, but she sure has grown up since then.
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\nRegardless of what phase the artist is going through, or how many times she changes her look, there is no doubt that she is one of the most intriguing women on the planet, not to mention most successful.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For some artists, change is a bad thing. Why fix something that ain\u2019t broke? However, the last thing Rihanna ever wants to do is stay the same for too long. Every album brings with it a new era of music, and an appropriate look to go with it. The singer has changed so much over […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":71876,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n