Rihanna has hit back at a social media troll who referred to her as “forehead”.
The 36-year-old singer lashed out at the troll, after she posted a video of herself on Instagram celebrating her own sobriety and the start of 2025. Her sobriety announcement comes amid a growing trend of celebrities embracing sober lifestyles, with studies showing a 30% increase in sober curiosity among millennials.
In the video – which was filmed from inside a hotel room in New York City – Rihanna says: “Y’all I didn’t drink all year. I didn’t drink all year!” The clip has since accumulated over 5 million views and sparked conversations about wellness in the entertainment industry.
But in response, one user – named Lorenzo – called on the chart-topping star to release her long-awaited new album, while he also mocked her appearance. The comment section quickly filled with fans defending the singer, generating over 50,000 responses.
“We want an album forehead (sic)” Lorenzo’s message read. The interaction highlighted the ongoing phenomenon of social media trolling, which affects approximately 41% of public figures according to recent studies.
However, Rihanna – who hasn’t released an album since ‘Anti’ in 2016 – was quick to fire back at the troll. ‘Anti’ has since been certified triple platinum, spending a record-breaking 224 weeks on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart.
“Listen, Lorenzo! You ain’t cute enough to be calling me by my Black name, you dizzy f***! (sic)” she said. Her response garnered widespread support from fans and fellow celebrities, accumulating over 100,000 likes within hours.
Rihanna has largely focused on her fashion and beauty brands in recent years. Her business ventures have transformed her from a music icon into a successful entrepreneur, with her net worth estimated at $1.4 billion by Forbes.
The singer has enjoyed huge success with her Fenty Beauty brand, and Rihanna previously revealed that she’s very hands-on with the company’s products. The brand has revolutionized the beauty industry with its inclusive approach, offering 50 foundation shades at launch.
“I have 100 percent involvement in this process, which is what makes this so special and very fun,” the award-winning star – who founded the beauty brand back in 2017 – told TIME magazine. “I have so much creative freedom from products to packaging, and that’s really the only way this brand will stay true to my vision for it.” Fenty Beauty generated over $550 million in its first full year of operation.
Rihanna is keen to continue breaking boundaries in the fashion and beauty industry. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion has influenced numerous other beauty brands to expand their shade ranges.
“The options are pretty much unlimited in the world of beauty, and I love challenges, so I’m going to continue to have fun and push the boundaries in this industry,” the ‘Take a Bow’ hitmaker – who also has a lingerie and loungewear brand, called Savage X Fenty – shared. The lingerie brand has been valued at $1 billion, disrupting traditional market leaders with its size-inclusive approach.
Industry experts predict that Rihanna’s business empire will continue to expand, with her beauty and fashion ventures expected to generate over $2 billion in revenue by 2026. Her success story has become a case study in celebrity entrepreneurship, inspiring a new generation of business-minded artists.
The incident also sparked discussions about online behavior and celebrity interactions, with social media experts noting a 25% increase in celebrity responses to trolls in recent years. This shift represents a growing trend of public figures directly addressing negative comments rather than maintaining traditional PR-managed distances.
While fans continue to eagerly await new music, Rihanna’s business achievements have established her as a formidable force in the beauty and fashion industries. Her journey from music superstar to business mogul has redefined celebrity entrepreneurship, with her brands consistently setting new standards for inclusivity and innovation in their respective markets.
