On stage and off, Rihanna can’t help but make headlines. Here are five examples.
CHRIS BROWN: She’s drawn fire for getting back together with the R&B star who savagely beat her in 2009. Brown was convicted of assault and was sentenced to community service, but that service is now under investigation for possible fraud. Rihanna and Brown say his violent days are behind him.
30 MILLION: That’s how many albums she has sold worldwide. She’s also sold more than 120 million singles, and 12 of her songs have hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts. Not bad for a 25-year-old.
AWARDS: Rihanna has won seven Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, 18 Billboard Music Awards and two BRIT Awards. Forbes magazine named her the fourth most powerful celebrity of 2012 with an income of $53 million.
ON-SCREEN: Rihanna had a supporting role in the widely panned 2012 film “Battleship,” and is set to appear in the 2012 film “This is the End” and in the DreanWorks animated film “Happy Smekday!,” due for release in 2014. She also starred in the British TV program “Styled to Rock” and appeared on “The X Factor.”
FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: Rihanna has collaborated with such A-listers as Eminem, Coldplay, Jay-Z (who was instrumental in launching her career), Timbaland, will.i.am., Drake and Kanye West, among many others.
FASHION AND SUCH: Rihanna has released two fragrances and debuted a fashion line earlier this year, which drew mixed reviews. She has long been considered an influential fashion figure with her sultry public appearances. Her “bob” hairdo in 2007 was widely copied around the world.
