12 Things You Didn't Know About Rihanna

Globally celebrated popstar, Rihanna, 29, since appearing on the musical scene more than a decade ago has been a massive success. From her debut album in 2005 to her latest in 2016, she has been a cynosure of all eyes.

The Barbados born superstar has, regardless, had her own spate of traumas and dramas resulting from her numerous relationships with fellow superstars, the most dramatic and traumatizing being with Chris Brown.

Apart from the hits, money, dramas and traumas, below are twelve things you did not know about Rihanna:

1). Rihanna served in the Army Cadets and Shontelle was her drill sergeant. The two singers grew up in Barbados, and when Rihanna was younger, she joined the Army Cadets in a sub-military programme and Shontelle was her drill sergeant. “We boss cadets around, we make them do push-ups,” Shontelle said. “Especially when they show up on the parade square late.”

2).In February 2008, Barbados created a national holiday to honour Rihanna. February 22 is Rihanna Day in Barbados – two days after her birthday. When she received the honour in 2008, she flew down to her home country to perform a special show.

3). She has a foundation that helps terminally ill children. Rihanna created her Believe Foundation in 2006 to help terminally ill children. “When I was young and I would watch television and I would see all the children suffering, I always said when I grow up I want to help,” the singer told People magazine in March 2008.

4). Rihanna has a tattoo that says “Never a Failure, Always a Lesson” across her collarbone-written backwards so she can read it when she looks in the mirror.

5). Jay-Z signed Rihanna on the same day he met her. In February 2005, when Jay-Z met Rihanna, he wouldn’t let her leave the building until she signed a deal with him. The whole process took 12 hours. Rihanna auditioned for Jay and L.A. Reid, performing Whitney Houston’s version of “For the Love of You” along with “Pon de Replay” and “The Last Time.” She signed a six-album record deal with Def Jam Recordings that very day.

6). Rihanna won her high school’s beauty pageant and the title of Miss Combermere. Rihanna attended Combermere High School in Barbados and in 2004. She won the school’s beauty pageant and the title of “Miss Combermere.” She performed a rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Hero” in the pageant.

7). Rihanna never graduated from high school. After auditioning for Evan Rogers at 15, Rihanna dropped out of high school to move to the U.S. to pursue her singing career-and she never finished school along the way.

8). Rihanna is of Afro-Guyanese, Barbadian and Irish descent. Rihanna’s mother, Monica Braithwaite, is of Afro-Guyanese descent. Her father, Ronald Fenty, is Barbadian and Irish.

9). Rihanna has her legs insured for $1 Million. After being presented with the Venus Breeze “Celebrity Legs of a Goddess” award by Gilette in 2007, Rihanna got her legs insured for $1 million.

10). Rihanna’s childhood was deeply affected by her father’s addiction to crack cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana, and her parents’ turbulent marriage ended when she was 14.

11). She used to sell clothing with her dad at a street stall.

12). Her voice is a “Mezzo-Soprano” that covers three octaves.