Why Do I Look Up So Much To Rihanna?
She’s not only this beautiful Caribbean woman who made her way into the music and fashion scene, not only this shining pop star that made me dream of far-away places while listening to her catchy songs when I was in middle school. She’s got sass, enigma, and charisma in her eyes. Rihanna is one of the few ladies I look up to and here’s why.
I don’t consider myself a Navy veteran. I never had fangirl moments when it comes to supporting and showing love to her music and fashion career, because maybe that is not how I admire people in the industry - although I did have phases and Hollywood crushes back in the days, but I never really went ballistic over celebrities’ careers, works, nor looks. I constantly get inspired and I admire people all the time, but I would never change who I am or what I think because of others. However, to me Rihanna’s career means a lot.
Rihanna is in her 30s and she is honestly, at this stage of her life, embodying what a lot of girls would love to have by the time they’re going to be 30-something: an accomplished career, financial security, and love, if not starting a family. I recognize that I’m very far (or at least, that what it looks like from my point of view) from what I would like to see myself in and with in five years from now (a huge solid platform that helps people from all over the world find ways to invest in their creativity, while being informed and feeling safe in the digital spaces I provide, with a prosperous readership).
As much as I believe in this project of mine, I don’t see myself as supported or loved like Rihanna is by her fans. I know my limitations, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make my own dreams into plans and get inspired by others. Sure, I can’t possibly even emulate her business models or her entrepreneurial plans at this moment, but Rihanna gives me hope and inspiration every time. I can’t necessarily say this about every other amazing entrepreneur, creative, media professional, or journalist I admire because most of them never had to deal with stuff I had and still have to go through. The ones I admire with all of my heart are most of the time not even considered celebrities because they’re mentors, professors, family, and friends.
Rihanna was an immigrant when she came to the United States. She cultivated her career, made mistakes, had trials, but she made it. She didn’t stick to one single avenue of success, but rather she explored her passions and invested in what she wanted to pivot in beauty and fashion, with Fenty Beauty and Savage Fenty.
These are the reasons why Robyn Rihanna Fenty has had such an impact on me, as a woman and as a creative. Even though we differ in so many things, I see that in my life I can own my decisions and change them as I wish. So far my adulthood has offered me some opportunities and many obstacles, but I’m ready to see what’s in store for me and in my journey. Compared to five years ago, I am much more secure in my choices and I find joy and pride in learning, mentoring, and giving back to the communities of people who saw potential in me.
So yes, I look up to Rihanna a lot. But I also learned to look up to myself too, and everyday I’m trying to compare less and less to others. The more I go forward, the more risks I take, the luckier I feel in seeing myself my own role model.
