All eyes were on Rihanna and her (now confirmed) pregnant belly as the Barbados-born singer took the stage during the XVII Super Bowl halftime show.
Rihanna is no stranger to the spotlight, and she’s been a mainstay in the news cycle for her decades-long career. One of the biggest questions about the singer centers around her faith. Before the show, some social media users were spreading a bit of Satanic Panic with Rihanna’s show, recycling old claims that the singer was a devil worshipper and part of the Illuminati. But not only has Rihanna never claimed to be in cahoots with the devil, she’s actually spoken quite a bit about her personal relationship with God.
Rihanna has shared that she was raised in Barbados with a Christian faith, and while she admits her relationship with God hasn’t been without struggles, she’s shared over the years that her faith has kept her going.
Check out five times Rihanna got real about her faith.
When She Felt Like She Disappointed God During ANTI
In an interview with her Ocean’s 8 co-star Sarah Paulson, Rihanna got real about the struggles she went through during the recording of her eighth studio album Anti, she was struggling with her relationship.
“I have been in a place where I felt like maybe I had disappointed God so much that we weren’t as close,” she said. “Actually, that happened to me while I was making Anti. That was a really hard time, but, thank God, I got through it.”
“The devil just has a way of making you feel like you’re not good enough,” she continued, “and that you’re not worthy of God being close to you. It’s really not the truth, but you wind up feeling like that.”
Staying True to God
While appearing on the cover of British GLAMOUR in 2014, Rihanna shared the key to staying true to herself: focusing on God.
“…Remembering what’s important in life and understanding that we are individuals with our own relationship to God,” Rihanna told the magazine. “When that’s clear, it’s difficult to be bothered by what people think.”
Trusting in God to Grow Her Faith
Rihanna shared with GLAMOUR that after going through a difficult season, her faith and trust in God grew stronger.
“[My faith] wasn’t even lost then. The devil just has a way of making you feel like you’re not good enough, and that you’re not worthy of God being close to you,” she said. “It’s really not the truth, but you wind up feeling like that.”
“My grandmother was the one who started me on this,” she continued. “She gave me a devotion book, a physical one. It was the last thing she gave me before she passed away. It got left on a plane and stolen, so I just said, ‘You know what? Somebody else is going to gain from that.’ And then I bought the same book on my iPhone. The only sad part was that her handwriting was in it, but someone else is going to be blessed with it, so it’s fine.”
Giving Control to God
During an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Rihanna was asked how she remains bold and fearless in all aspects of life. The singer shared how she relies on her faith in God to deal with the downside of fame.
“I think I’m like most people — we fear the unknown and the things that have yet to come to pass, which are the very things that don’t deserve to be feared,” Rihanna said. “When you give God complete control, it’s very hard not to be fearless.”
Using Her Twitter Platform
Rihanna’s Twitter is fairly meme-worthy. She’s never been one to hold back from speaking her truth, and that includes speaking up about her beliefs.
The devil wants to steal your joy because he knows that joy is your strength…that is why sometimes we need each other
— Rihanna (@rihanna) June 5, 2012
The Power of God can bring you joy unspeakable!!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) July 7, 2013
God is Love!!!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) February 1, 2012
Most notably, she seems to be a big fan of Joyce Meyer.
“@JoyceMeyer: Believing has a lot to do with obedience. If you really believe what God says, you’ll do what He says.”
— Rihanna (@rihanna) August 16, 2012
@JoyceMeyer you're awesome!!!!!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) June 5, 2012
FAQs
Rihanna has shared that she was raised in Barbados with a Christian faith, and while she admits her relationship with God hasn't been without struggles, she's shared over the years that her faith has kept her going.
How has Rihanna influenced the world? ›
Rihanna is also an active philanthropist. At just 18, she founded the Believe Foundation to help critically ill children. At 24, in honor of her grandparents, she launched the Clara Lionel Foundation to support emergency response and education programs. She also paid for the creation of an oncology center in Barbados.
What is so special about Rihanna? ›
Rihanna (born February 20, 1988, St. Michael parish, Barbados) is a Barbadian pop and rhythm-and-blues (R&B) singer who became a worldwide star in the early 21st century. She is known for her distinctive and versatile voice and for her fashionable appearance. She is also known for her beauty and fashion lines.
Was Rihanna in the military? ›
Before she became a worldwide phenomenon, Rihanna was an army cadet in a sub-military program in Barbados, the singer's home country. In the same Daily Mail interview, she told the publication that her military training actually helped her to compete in the beauty pageant.
What religion is Beyonce? ›
Beyoncé was raised Methodist and attended St. John's United Methodist Church in Houston. As her mother's family was Catholic, on Christmas Eve her family attended Midnight mass at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church.
What is Rihanna's name? ›
Rihanna (real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty) was born and raised in Barbados. Her birthday is Feb. 20, 1988, and her height is 5'8".
What inspirational things has Rihanna done? ›
In 2006, when Rihanna was barely 18 years old, she created the Believe Foundation, a public organization meant to help children with potentially terminal illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, and leukemia. This foundation provides the necessary supplies to under-resourced and under-funded schools.
What has Rihanna done for the world? ›
The Clara Lionel Foundation (also known as CLF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by singer Rihanna, that funds groundbreaking education and emergency preparedness and response programs around the world.
Who is Rihanna's husband? ›
Rihanna
| The Right Excellent Rihanna NH |
|---|
| Partners | Chris Brown (2007–2009; 2012–2013) Hassan Jameel (2017–2020) ASAP Rocky (2020–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career |
23 more rowsRihanna and her longtime friend A$AP Rocky became much more than friends about three years ago; they welcomed their first child together in 2022. The two have been close since A$AP joined Rihanna's Diamond Tour in 2013. The singer also starred in A$AP's music video “Fashion Killa” later that year.
Her first selection was Davido's “Unavailable,” a song from the Afrobeats superstar's Timeless album that featured Musa Keys. Her second selection was “Mnike” – “It's spelled M-N-I-K-E,” she emphasized – from Tyler ICU and Tumelo.za. The “Umbrella” singer also spoke about her current creative era.
How much older is Rihanna than ASAP? ›
Rihanna and Rocky are close in age as the “Umbrella” hitmaker is just a few months older than her beau. Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born in Barbados on Feb. 20, 1988, to parents Monica and Ronald Fenty.
Is Rihanna a billionaire? ›
Rihanna's estimated net worth is $1.4 billion in 2023. She became America's youngest self-made female billionaire in 2022. Much of Rihanna's wealth has been attributed to her successful makeup company, Fenty Beauty, which she co-owns with French luxury retailer LVMH.
When did Rihanna come out? ›
Rihanna's debut single "Pon de Replay" was an immediate hit.
The studio version of "Pon de Replay" was released in May 2005. The dance-pop, reggae-infused track hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 when Rihanna was just 17 years old.
Does Rihanna believe in Christianity? ›
While Rihanna's religion has been a subject of speculation, it has been determined that she identifies as a Christian. Her faith serves as a guiding force throughout her career and personal life, shaping her music, philanthropy, and overall worldview.
What is Nicki Minaj religious? ›
Throughout her career, Nicki Minaj has been very vocal about her journey in faith and the role that a relationship with God has played in her life. In addition to publicly speaking out about Christianity, the Queens native has also released a few songs referencing her journey with God.
What is Rihanna's race and ethnicity? ›
Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. She is the daughter of accountant Monica (née Braithwaite) and warehouse supervisor Ronald Fenty. Her mother is Afro-Guyanese, while her father is a Barbadian of African, Irish, English, and Scottish descent.
What religion is Katy Perry? ›
While not strictly identifying as religious, she has stated, "I pray all the time – for self-control, for humility." Wanting to be like her sister Angela, Perry began singing by practicing with her sister's cassette tapes.
