While Rihanna has been involved with music and fashion for the majority of her career, she is now being credited for her work as a diplomat for her home country of Barbados. Many people within the country and around the world are considering her a true national hero.
On Monday, the 55th anniversary of Barbados’ independence from Britain, the country officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state-and established a new republic for the island. Both Dame Sandra Mason and Rihanna played a pivotal role in this occurring for Barbados’ new government.
The official ceremony was attended by many global officials, including Prince Charles-who attended on behalf of his mother-to congratulate Barbadians on this new milestone. He called this progress a great opportunity to advance beyond the “appalling atrocity” of colonialism and slavery within the region.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley swore in Mason as the country’s new president. Mason, 72, was previously the governor-general. The British Parliament elected her to be the Barbadian head of state last October as Barbados was preparing to transition into a new republic. “It is a woman of this soil to whom this honor is being given,” Mottley stated at the ceremony.
The prime minister designated Rihanna as a “national hero for Barbados.”
“This is a day that I’ll never, ever forget,” Rihanna said. “It’s also a day that I never saw coming. Barbadians are proud people, you know? We are probably the proudest people I know. And no matter where I go in the world, I take that pride with me. No matter where we go, the world is gonna know that we Bajan to the bone.” After embracing her new title, Rihanna called the people of the island “the true heroes of Barbados” and said she was proud to be “Bajan till the day I die.” Rihanna, said the island was “still the only place I’ve ever called home.”
Rihanna urged the youth of Barbados to keep making progress. “I have traveled the world and received several awards and recognitions, but nothing, nothing, compares to being recognized in the soil that you grew in.”