Rihanna is best known for her dance-pop hits like “Pon de Replay,” “S.O.S” and “Umbrella.” After her third album she became a bona fide international pop star in 2008. By all accounts Rihanna’s career was at its height in 2009 when the singer became a victim of domestic violence. Born in the Caribbean island of Barbados in 1988, Rihanna Fenty was born a performer, often winning talent and beauty contests in her childhood. After forming a girl group with two classmates, Rihanna, then 15, auditioned for veteran producer Evan Rogers, who has produced countless hits for pop artists like *NSYNC, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson, Laura Pausini, and Rod Stewart. Rogers was so impressed with the young Rihanna, he invited her to live in Connecticut with him and his wife while cutting a four-song demo. In 2004 Rihanna auditioned for Def Jam Records president Jay-Z, who later told Rolling Stone magazine he knew right away Rihanna was a star. In 2005 Rihanna released her debut album, Music of the Sun, which peaked in the top ten of the Billboard magazine Top 200 and included the Billboard magazine Hot 100 hit single "Pon de Replay." Eight months later, Rihanna released her second studio album, A Girl Like Me, which peaked in the top five of the Billboard magazine albums chart and produced her first number one single, “S.O.S.” At this time Rihanna was featured on many teen magazines.
With the release of her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad in 2008, which peaked at number two on the Billboard magazine Top 200 chart, Rihanna reinvented her personal style from wholesome teen queen to risqué sex symbol. Good Girl Gone Bad produced three U.S. number one hit singles and was nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Umbrella," which features Jay-Z.
While Rihanna continued to win awards and make headlines for her music career success, her new look that many magazines—from men’s magazines to entertainment magazines—focused attention.
In 2007, Maxim magazine ranked Rihanna #8 on its 2007 Hot 100 list; in 2008 she ranked on the same list at #15; for 2009 her ranking was again at #8. Entertainment Weekly magazine ran a story called "Rihanna: Diva of the Year." And in 2008 People magazine included Rihanna in its annual issue “10 Best Dressed Stars,” while Glamour magazine ranked Rihanna as the 17th most glamorous woman of 2009 out of 50 women. Vogue, GQ, Vibe, Seventeen, Teen Vogue, Maxim, People Stylewatch and Instyle magazine, to name a few magazines, also featured the exotic beauty on their magazine covers.
By January 2008 celebrity magazines like People and OK! magazine linked Rihanna romantically to fellow pop and R&B artist Chris Brown; the singer gushed over her beau in Allure magazine. In March Rihanna appeared on the cover of Cosmo magazine and followed up the sexy cover with another magazine cover appearance on Elle magazine.
But by early 2009, celebrity magazine headlines surrounding Rihanna changed dramatically from successful international pop star to victim of domestic violence after an incident in early February. People magazine reported that Chris Brown badly beat Rihanna after the couple had a heated argument. By March, the Los Angeles police department charged Chris Brown with two felony counts of assault and making criminal threats. In June 2009, People magazine again reported that Chris Brown was sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labor.
After keeping a low profile for much of the year, Rihanna has been spotted by many celebrity magazines socializing with friends.
For more celebrity magazines, visit http://www.magazines.com/category/entertainment-tv.
Jessica Vandelay is a freelance writer in New York City.
