As Barbados became the world’s newest republic, its prime minister’s first act was to officially declare the island’s most famous citizen, Rihanna, a national hero.
Barbados had already conferred the title of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary on the billionaire multiple Grammy-winning singer and businesswoman in 2018 and tasked her with encouraging education and tourism.
The “Umbrella” songstress commanded “the imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence with her creativity, her discipline, and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth,” Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the assembled dignitaries at the “Pride of Nationhood” celebrations on Tuesday.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we therefore present to you the designee for national hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty,” Mottley said, inviting the singer up to stand alongside her.
“May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your words, by your actions, and to do credit, wherever you shall go,” she said, with a nod to the singer’s hit “Diamonds.”
Mottley paid tribute to the humble origins of Rihanna, who was born in Saint Michael and raised in the capital Bridgetown.
Rihanna, 33, grew up in a troubled home in Barbados and was propelled to fame after American producer Evan Rogers recognized her talents.
The star parlayed her musical success into a make-up and fashion empire, with earnings that now dwarf those of other megastars such as Madonna and Beyonce.
Forbes in August estimated she was worth $1.7 billion, around $1.4 billion of which comes from the value of her cosmetics company Fenty Beauty, a partnership with French fashion giant LVMH.
Mottley said the government chose to honor Rihanna as the first national hero designated by the new republic as a “signal to the world.”
Rihanna joins a select group of 10 other Barbadians including Garfield Sobers, regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time and the only other living national hero.
Sobers was also at the ceremony and hugged Rihanna.
The title would be conferred on her Wednesday morning, the prime minister said.
Rihanna was among many nominations for national hero submitted by the people of Barbados and Mottley said others would be named by National Heroes Day next year.
The independence ceremony was closed to the general public amid a pandemic curfew, which was relaxed to allow Barbadians to enjoy festivities including fireworks displays.
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I love RiRi as much as the next guy, but national hero? That’s a bit much. Also, a country must be very cautious when elevating a living person to national hero status.
but they’re really looking for publicity anyway
explain the rational for your last sentence please thanks. I guess Mia gave it to her because she is famous. But I don´t see her promoting Barbados much.
@ Byam:At least,they promoted one of their own,A BAJAN.
Who you want them to honor?? Elton?
Sir William Conrad Reeves, Wynter Crawford, Kamau Brathwaite, George Lamming et al.
I watched the ceremony, procession and the march past Charles, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Barbados removing their ‘colonial’ shackles at last from the UK.
However, reading some of the negatives public comments from the English media revealed their true feelings:
“Like becoming a Republic will mean nothing …” or, “Another banana republic in Latin America …”, also, can we stop all their criminals migrating to Britain”; and one of the most ignorant comment made was: “Had Barbados not been a British colony and slavery had not happened … Barbados would not exist today”.
WOW! YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID.
Anyway, Gaston Browne please take note of what Barbados has done by becoming a republic. It is a first step, but a step in the right direction – It now seems that the sky’s the limit for the Bajans now.
Antigua can start by loosening their ties on the UK’s judiciary system, also, removing the royal name from one of our most prestigious and popular school, and not forgetting that whenever anyone applies and obtains citizenship to Antigua, they must stop pledging allegiance TO THE QUEEN AND HER SIBLINGS. WHY?
CONGRATULATIONS BARBADOS.
British citizens are responsible for bringing slaves from Africa to Barbados. After they ‘discovered’ Barbados they could have kept it for themselves. Instead in the pursuit of riches they brought in labour which eventually claimed a right to the land. The land of Barbados is now in the control of descendants of the slaves. Things change and would continue to change. If Barbados was never settled by the British of course things in the island would have been different. This is not something to dispute but a reality.
@BRIXTONIAN: The Queen and Her Heirs,not Her SIBLINGS.
Caribbean most admired and respected Prime Minister
Always a great job
Great achievement from this young lady. She must be the youngest National Hero ever anywhere in the world.
Much Love and Respect. Trust many young ladies to follow in your footsteps
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