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Rihanna is truly incredible, isn’t she? She started out just singing, a total pop star. But her film and TV stuff? Wow, that really changed everything for her. Every single role she took, no matter how big or small, showed off how talented she is in different ways. It helped her build her whole brand, you know?
So, let’s talk about how she got into acting. We’ll look at these roles she played. We’ll see how they shaped what people think of her. It’s all about watching her grow, not just as an artist, but like, as a serious business person too.
Rihanna’s First Steps on TV
Before she did big movies, Rihanna actually showed up on television. Her first guest spots gave us a peek at her charm. It wasn’t just about the music anymore, honestly. In 2012, she even voiced herself. It was on The Simpsons! That little cartoon appearance was a pretty big deal, I think. It really started her acting journey. It showed everyone she was ready to try new things.
Then came Saturday Night Live, also in 2012. That show really locked in her funny side. She performed her music, sure. But she also messed around with the SNL cast. Fans got to see a completely different side of her personality. SNL usually gets around 4.5 million viewers each episode. So, it put her in front of tons of new people. It helped shape her into a total entertainer, not just a singer doing concerts.
Later on, in 2015, Rihanna did something totally new. She guest-starred in Bates Motel. She played Marion Crane there. That’s the character from the famous old movie, Psycho. Reviews for how she did were kind of mixed. But, it definitely pushed her acting skills further. This felt like a really important moment for her. It showed she could play someone darker, someone complicated. She really got to show off her acting ability in a show people praised.
Stepping Onto the Big Screen
Rihanna jumped into movies with Battleship back in 2012. She played Raikes there, a weapons officer. The movie made over $300 million globally. This proved she could bring moviegoers into theaters. She wasn’t just pulling in her music fans anymore. Critics mostly liked her performance. It wasn’t a massive hit movie for everyone, to be fair. Still, it definitely kicked off her film career big time.
Her next really big movie part was in Oceans 8 in 2018. She joined this amazing cast of really powerful actresses. That movie was a giant success. It brought in over $297 million worldwide. Rihanna played Nine Ball in it, a super smart tech expert. This role showed she could totally fit into different kinds of movies easily. She proved her acting chops. She could also totally hold her own next to huge stars. Just think, Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett! The success of that film really highlighted something changing. Movies with all-female casts are getting way more common in Hollywood. That’s pretty fantastic, isn’t it?
How Her Roles Boosted Her Brand
Rihanna doing films and TV meant way more people saw her. She built stronger connections with fans everywhere. By jumping into new areas, she made her brand even stronger. Forbes reported her net worth in 2021. It was something like $1.7 billion. Most of that money came from things not related to music. Think about Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. Her acting roles helped a lot too. They really made people see her as a serious, diverse business leader.
Her roles often felt like they matched her own beliefs. She uses them to show what matters to her. For example, Nine Ball in Oceans 8 was more than just someone breaking rules. She represented power and being super smart. This fit perfectly with Rihanna’s strong, independent public image. Fans really connected with this part of it. It made her brand feel even more real and powerful.
Oceans 8: Looking Closer at What it Meant
Oceans 8 really shows how Rihanna’s career changed direction. The movie being so successful proved something important. Stories led by women have real power in the movie world. It got a 68% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That whole cast of women totally went against old ideas. They proved that women can absolutely lead huge blockbuster movies.
Critics actually praised Rihanna’s acting quite a bit in that film. They loved how she mixed being funny with having real depth. The Hollywood Reporter even pointed it out specifically. They said her character really stood out in the group. She brought this fresh energy to the whole cast. This definitely helped boost her acting credentials. She also became a role model for people watching. Especially for women of color who want to create things themselves.
The meaning of Oceans 8 goes beyond just the money it made. It started important conversations about gender in the media. This is something I believe Rihanna cares a lot about. By being part of projects like this, she shows she’s truly committed. She supports important social issues. It honestly helps make her public image even stronger.
What’s Coming Next for Rihanna?
Rihanna isn’t finished with making movies yet. She’s set to be in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Everyone is incredibly excited about that one! The film is supposed to look at what legacy means and power. That fits so well with her own brand, doesn’t it? Marvel movies have these massive fanbases all over the world. Her being in it will definitely bring in her music fans too. Not bad at all!
Plus, there’s been news that Rihanna might actually produce her own projects. Streaming platforms are creating all sorts of new opportunities these days. People creating things can now tell really personal stories. This could mean we get completely fresh content from her. It would show her own experiences and what she believes in. The whole entertainment world is changing super fast. Rihanna is right there leading the way. She can bring together her love for telling stories with her support for causes. I am eager to see what she does next.
Facing Challenges and Getting Criticized
Even though she’s been really successful, Rihanna still gets criticized sometimes. Some people say her acting isn’t really deep enough. They often see her as a celebrity first, you know? They don’t see her as a serious actress trying to learn. Battleship made money, that’s true. But, the reviews weren’t all great. Some critics just said her acting was okay. Not exactly mind-blowing or anything.
When musicians start acting, it always gets a lot of attention. People ask if they can really act. Or if they’re just using their fame to get parts. But here’s the thing, I believe that way of thinking misses something really important. It takes genuine talent to perform well in so many different ways. It really does require skill.
To be honest, all artists have tough times. Being famous often means people look super closely at everything you do. Rihanna seems to take these challenges head-on. She uses them to push herself even more. She just keeps growing and changing as a person and an artist. It’s pretty inspiring to watch, honestly.
Seeing Rihanna’s Amazing Change
Rihanna’s journey through movies and TV shows how strong she is. She can do so many different things. Every single role helps her change and grow her career. She connects with all sorts of people across different worlds. It truly boosts her entire brand in huge ways. Her acting in Oceans 8 and Battleship really shows her bravery. She’s willing to explore totally new things. She also manages to stay completely true to herself. She comes across as this strong, incredibly empowered woman.
Looking forward, I think Rihanna will keep breaking barriers. She’ll be an entertainer, of course. But she’ll also be a producer and someone who speaks up for things. The entertainment world keeps shifting and changing. I am excited to watch her adapt to it all. I just can’t wait to see her thrive in these new spaces. Imagine a future filled with her own stories being told on screen. They’ll show her unique experiences. They’ll inspire so many other people out there. It’s a wonderful thought, right?
Rihanna proves over and over, more than anything else, just one thing. She is way, way more than just a singer with hit songs. She is a genuinely multi-talented artist. Her impact goes so far beyond just music. As she takes on these new roles and projects, her legacy just keeps getting bigger. She will definitely inspire future generations of artists. I am happy to know that’s happening.
When you think about the big picture, Rihanna’s acting journey feels like it’s just getting started in a way. Her path in film and TV is still quite new. We should really support artists like her. They are being incredibly brave to try new things and step outside their comfort zone. Let’s all keep championing diverse stories in media. We really need to empower voices that truly reflect the amazing, complicated world we live in. What a powerful idea, right?
Quick Thoughts: Debunking a Couple Myths
Some people think musicians only act for attention. That’s not always true. Many really want to explore new creative sides.
Is it just about fame? Not really. While fame helps open doors, staying power needs real talent and hard work. Rihanna shows you need more than just a name.