Rihanna Is A Savage In The Most Empowering Way
As teenagers, we can't wait to be grown. In our twenties, we balance our roguish sense of immortality with developing practical life habits. And at 30... well, what exactly are we supposed to be doing at 30?
I used to tease my sister and say, "If you're over 25, you're old." Now, here I am exactly one month before my 25th birthday and I feel like the party is just getting started; making me question how wrong I had been to make the youthful assumption that as you get older, your vitality and quality of life should depreciate. Rihanna recently opened up to Vogue about life after turning 30 and reminds us that women are much like wine.
Rihanna covers VOGUE's June issuePhotographed By MERT ALAS AND MARCUS PIGGOTT
We get better with time.
The multi-talented songstress has made it a point to dominate in the music, fashion, and make-up industries, but now she's decided to delegate some time to focus on her personal life and her love interest who she chooses to keep unnamed (Hassan Jammel).
"I used to feel guilty about taking personal time but I also think I never met someone who was worth it before. Even mentally, just to be away from my phone, to be in the moment, that has been key for my growth. Now, when I come to work, I'm all in. Because before you know it, the years will go by. I'm glad I'm taking the time. I'm happy.
Balancing a healthy work-life balance can be a challenge, especially when she's an ultra-famous mogul who's been consistently seeking and securing the bag since she was 16. And she doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. Rihanna announced the upcoming release of her new lingerie line Savage that has the internet buzzing, and much like her beauty line, it will be hella inclusive, unlike her widely-known predecessors.
"I know when I'm having a fat day and when I've lost weight. I accept all of the bodies. I'm not built like a Victoria's Secret girl, and I still feel very beautiful and confident in my lingerie."
Rih's new lingerie line, Savage, is set to release in stores worldwide May 11 and was designed with a concept that every woman can relate to and be empowered by.
"Savage is really about taking complete ownership of how you feel and the choices you make. Basically making sure everybody knows the ball is in your court. As women, we're looked at as the needy ones, the naggy ones, the ones who are going to be heartbroken in a relationship. Savage is just the reverse. And you know, guys don't like getting the cards flipped on them—ever."
Rihanna's ongoing list of upcoming projects proves that growth is lit, and birthdays are for embarking on new adventure because tomorrow isn't promised. After her cousin's untimely death at the hands of gun violence, Rihanna doesn't take time for granted.
"I really hugged my cousin the night before he died; I didn't know why. Now, each time I hug somebody lately, I hug them like it's the last time. That may be my biggest life lesson, not to wait on anything, not even tomorrow. Tomorrow is too late in my opinion."
Although we can't be sure what the Queen has up her sleeve for the future, we can relish in knowing that we have the choice to live our best lives whenever the f*ck we want to. Robyn Rihanna taught me.
Read the full feature on Vogue here.
Featured image by Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
- Rihanna Is A Triple Threat On 3 Different Covers Of Vogue Paris ... ›
- Rihanna Reveals She Runs on Less Than Four Hours of Sleep a ... ›
- Rihanna talks 'fat days' and freezing her eggs as she hints billionaire ... ›
- Rihanna Fashion, News, Photos and Videos - Vogue ›
- Rihanna Posts Instagram Showing Off Stretch Marks and Leg Hair ... ›
- Rihanna's Vogue Cover: The Singer on Body Image, Turning 30 ... ›
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage