• Here’s a little flag of Barbados that you may (if you like) put somewhere on Rihanna’s page as she’s very patriotic and would love the world to know where she’s from. The ring she displays at the end of the ‘Pon de Replay’ video is designed like the ‘broken trident’ that’s in the middle of our flag, which is her way of connecting with us at home and letting the world know of her Bajan pride. (Bajan is slang for Barbadian). [NOTE]. This fact was emailed to me by CULLEN KONG, and I have kept, and posted it in her own words.

• Won the Miss Combermere school pageant in 2004

• Rihanna was one of three new artists that Jay-Z has signed to Def Jam; Teairra Mari and Ne-Yo are the other two. After a year Teairra Mari (who at first was suppose to be the leading Def Jam lady) was signed off the company.

• She was discovered by music producer Evan Rogers while he was vacationing in Barbados, with his wife

• Rihanna is the eldest sibling to her two younger brothers; named Rorrey and Rajad.

• Several other major labels were vying for Rihanna, but Def-Jam made such an amazing deal that, the scheduled meetings with the other companies were canceled.

• “Pon De Replay” was heard on HBO’s hit TV show ‘Entourage’ in the ‘An Offer Refused’ episode during the club scene

• Rihanna dislikes dishonest people. She prefers people to be honest and loyal.

• Jay-Z was skeptical about Rihanna initially. Brown played him the record that’s turned out to be her first single, “Pon De Replay,” and Hova was nervous about it.

• Rihanna’s “Music of the Sun” album was be produced by Vada Nobles (”The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”).

• Growing up, she idolized Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and especially Beyonce.That’s whose career she most wants to emulate.

• While growing up in Barbados Rihanna visited the beach everyday with her two brothers.

• Fatima Robinson choreographed Rihanna’s videos’; for both Pon De Replay and If It’s Lovin.

• During Rihanna’s audition for Jay-Z in New York, Rihanna performed the songs “The Last Time”, “Pon De Replay” and Whitney Houston’s version of “For The Love of You”.

• Psychology was Rihanna back up plan incase singing didn’t work out for her.

• During the “If It’s Lovin” video shoot, one of Rihanna’s male dancers kept spraying water in her face. Her hair was wet and her makeup was barely on anymore. She zoomed up behind him and bumped him off the jetski.

• In her spare time Rihanna likes to listen to music and catch up on some sleep. She may also sometimes call her friends in Barbados.

• The single, “Pon de Replay” peaked at number two on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart

• In 2006, Rihanna landed several endorsement deals, including ones for Nike and J.C. Penney. Check out the endorsement section!

• “SOS (Rescue Me)” was used in her endorsement deal with Nike

• “SOS (Rescue Me)” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Pop 100, Hot Dance Music/Club Play; and debuted at number one on the Hot Digital Songs

• The second single from the “Girl Like Me” album, “Unfaithful” written by Ne-Yo

• Rihanna had a cameo role in Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)

• Keeps in contact with her Bajan best friends Leandra and Melissa (who is also her personal assistant)

• Plans to learn to play the acoustic guitar, or the keyboard or piano

• Her show at Foxwoods marks her first visit to a casino

• Was in cadets approximately for 5 years

• Plans to study Business and Psychology

• Her father, Ronald, supervises at a garment factory.

• Her mother, Monica, is an accountant.

• When Rihanna was about 13 or 14, she snuck out to a club.

• Rihanna is tutored 15 hours a week

• She is very picky when it comes to food. She won’t eat Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, or Indian food. She also hates vegetables. Instead, she snacks on local fruit and lots of water to keep healthy

• Rihanna’s nickname is RiRi (also Rih-Rih)

• She had much more control over her new album “Good Girl Gone Bad” than she did in “A Girl Like Me”.

• She is of African, Creole and Guyanese descent. Her father, Robert Fenty, is Bajan and her mother, Monica Fenty, is Guyanese

• She was rumoured to have an affair with Jay-Z…later it was said that it was just a pubicity stunt to increate her media coverage. She was also linked to Shia LeBeouf, Josh Hartnett and many more. He has denyed all of those rumours.

• She always has to have her cell phone with her (usually a BlackBerry)

• Rihanna was ranked #15 in Maxim’s Hot 100 Women 2008. She was also ranked #8 in Maxim’s 2007 Hot 100 List.

• Her single, Take a Bow, has been in the top 10 songs on iTunes for about a month, as of June 2008.

• She claims that her dark skin color faded away because she spends so much time traveling in cold countries.

• Rihanna doesn’t smoke.

• In her song Don’t Stop the Music, she samples a part of the Michael Jackson song Wanna Be Startin’ Something from his Thriller album.

• In February 2008, it was revealed that Barbados was creating a national holiday to honor Rihanna. Rihanna accepted the honor and put on a free concert for her fans.

• Rihanna has put up her own foundation called “Believe” to help sick children get medical treatment, school supplies, and toys.

• Aside from her singing voice, Rihanna gets awards for her legs-they’re even insured for a million dollars. She admits that she has to work out regularly to make them look fit.

• While growing up, her make-up artist mom didn’t let Rihanna play with beauty products. Now she gets to have all the make-up she wants-Rihanna is now the endorser of big make-up label, Cover Girl.

• Rihanna’s favorite fashion designers are Zac Posen and Dsquared.

• Christina Milian was originally asked to record S.O.S. (written by Jonathan Rotem) by Def Jam but she declined. Rihanna was then offered to record it.

• In the Philippines, If It’s Lovin’ That You Want became Rihanna’s first #1 single.

• Her second album, A Girl Like Me, debuted at #5 in the United States.