Rihanna is noted as the best-selling female recording artist of the 21st century by Guinness World Records.
In one of her interviews, Rihanna shared how she wants her legacy to be remembered - not just for her music and all, but also for the impact she has on people's minds. In her words, “I want to be remembered as Rihanna. Remembered as being an artist from the Caribbean who came here and made it internationally. Just remembered as me, 'cause I'm true to my music, and I just want people to realize that and appreciate me for that." Beyond a chart-topping music artist, she is a rule-breaker who never shies away from experimenting, whether with her work or with life in general. And with her unapologetic attitude, she becomes the voice of the voiceless, inspiring countless individuals to break away from all the barriers. That's - without an iota of doubt - what makes her so special!
Well, Rihanna's success story is widely known (and celebrated) - but have you ever wondered about her life before stardom? Actually, there was something incredibly interesting about her early life that many are unaware of.
Today, as the popstar turns 37, let's learn an interesting fact about her in this article.
Many people might be surprised to learn that before becoming a global music icon, Rihanna was once an army cadet in a sub-military program in Barbados. The program was not mandatory, but she voluntarily participated in it for a while. Her fellow Barbadian singer, Shontelle, who was also in the same program, once spoke about this lesser-known aspect of Rihanna's life in an interview.
"It wasn't compulsory or anything," Shontelle explained. "But picture me and Rihanna in combat boots and fatigues, crawling through mud and things like that." The program required discipline and physical endurance, with cadets undergoing rigorous training that included drills, exercises, and leadership responsibilities.
Rihanna (right) was an army cadet (junior officer) that trained with the Barbadian military before venturing to music. Her drill sergeant was fellow singer Shontelle (left). #HistoryVille pic.twitter.com/0rqkA3PMXI
— H i s t o r y V i l l e (@HistoryVille) September 26, 2020
(Credit: HistoryVille)
As part of their role, they were responsible for overseeing other cadets. "We boss cadets around, we make them do push-ups... especially when they show up on the parade square late," she recalled, describing the structure and strictness of the training.
True to her rebellious nature, Rihanna was never one to blindly follow orders, even in such a disciplined environment. She has admitted in several of her interviews that she often challenged authority and resisted some of the program’s strict rules. "We'd have to give trouble in order to enjoy this discipline we were getting," she revealed in an interview. "And we'd refuse to do push-ups when we were punished. It was a question of: why just do it? It was so boring to follow the rules."
🗣️ | Did you know that...
— RihannaNavy_Queen (@RihannaNavy_FDR) September 5, 2024
⚓ Navy isn't just the name of our @Rihanna fan base. While in high school, Rihanna had military experience as an Army cadet in a sub-military program. Fellow Barbados singer/songwriter Shontelle was her drill sergeant.#RNQcuRIHosities 🤗 pic.twitter.com/mMWJmv4eLg
(Credit: RihannaNavy_Queen)
However, it's worth noting that the program helped Rihanna to learn discipline, resilience, and leadership skills. There, she developed a strong sense of individuality, which later became prominent in her music and other endeavors.
Happy Birthday, Rihanna. Best Wishes For All Your Upcoming Projects!
