Feature

Rihanna Overload: Enough is ENOUGH

Monday Oct 19, 2009 – By Sky Obercam

Talent aside (ahem), there have been very few celebrities who warrant as much media coverage as Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Sure, she worked that taut little backside of hers to achieve international acclaim, but for a performer whose talent often comes into question – coupled with an unusually flat persona – we simply can’t understand why her image saturates entertainment media. Admittedly, by presenting this piece, we may appear complicit in Rihanna-overkill coverage. However, this piece is dedicated to those of you who are pretty much finished with being bombarded by images of the Barbadian beauty.

The media’s obsession with celebs has gotten way out of hand over the past decade or so, but it seemed as though the gossipees were somewhat worth the chatter back then. Often, it was folks with an ounce of originality, or unique style who engaged the prying eyes of the public. Last we checked Rihanna was neither of those. Like some sort of pop-music experiment or style schizophrenic, Rihanna’s image is akin to that of a Dress-Me-Up Barbie Doll. Dig this:

[Rihanna’s] revamped image is all due to a team of experts who’ve been working with the R&B songstress for the past five months: hairstylist Tippi Shorter/Ursula Stephen, makeup artist Mylah Morales and celebrity stylist extraordinaire Mariel Haenn. And the behind-the-scenes crew is everywhere with Rihanna — the limo, the dressing room, the hotel room, you name it.

“We are the team, and we always collaborate on what’s going to work best, the overall look,” she added. “It all ties together at the end. I always bring a ton of options, and I will give her my favorites and why I think they would work best. She most of the time goes with my top choice.”

Somehow, that comes as no surprise….

Showbiz media obsesses over every aspect of Rihanna’s facade down to the most miniscule detail. Of course, the Chris Brown fiasco and raunchy nekkid ‘self-portraits’ served to fan the flames of her carefully crafted stardom as well. Additionally, it’s worth noting that there is absolutely no coincidence that rampant RiRi overkill is reaching new levels of absurdity as her album release date draws near. After all, Rihanna is one of many pop stars whose publicity strategy includes traveling with a band of paparazzi to “spot” her perpetually shopping & socializing with yet another über hip ensemble and trendy hair-do (yawn…). In the end we wish ole girl the best, but between the magazine covers, TV commercials, music videos and constant Internet media coverage, we’ve had enough already – it’s time to put the doll back up on the shelf.

Dee says:

October 23, 2009 at 12:14 am

SHE CAN’T sing… her fashion orchestrated … BEAUTIFUL! But for all the crap us black ppl gave Britney, it’s funny that we have our own water down version now!

But why are we debating such crap. Ppl are obviously buying her albums (most garbage music is flying of the shelfs while real artists are struggling).

And oh yea… It’s all a MARKETING POLY PLOY like this one (discussing someone who we should just let graciously fade away).

P.S. may we should start lookin at Keri Hilson –> Beautiful + SHE ACTULLY HAVE SOME KINDDA TALENT!

↑ Reply

sholmes says:

October 23, 2009 at 12:18 am

she’s a jay-z creation,just like beyonce( sasha flat)and if you haven’t noticed beyonce doesn’t have a personality either and they damn near sound alike( like the cat somebody else mentioned)lol!

Ogurl says:

October 23, 2009 at 1:13 am

Yall should stop bringing Beyonce into this. She and Rihanna are nothing alike. Beyonce has talent and works her butt off.

I’m not bothered by their so called “flat personalities” because they are not reality stars. They don’t owe us that. I’m actually relieved they are not putting all their personal b.s. out.

I am more bothered by the Paris Hiltons and Kardashians, but this article is true. Rihanna is all image and no talent.

gabbi says:

October 23, 2009 at 2:41 am

it wouldn’t be so bad if there were more black celebs getting media attention. it’s just overkill at this point (even if she was a bubbly girl).

Alex says:

October 23, 2009 at 6:57 am

I got to agree with Mona. I also want to had that I feel like she is being exploited and being taken for a ride. This isn’t going to be pretty.

Markeysha says:

October 23, 2009 at 12:19 pm

The media follows her every where. she cant even go to KFC! The life of a celeb is never quite. Folk dont have to look or read the mag’s if they dont want to see her then dont look. But you know folk love to hate so Hate on Haters! Ri Ri for ever!!!!!!

stantep says:

October 23, 2009 at 5:52 pm

Rihanna is a huge star now. She is getting major press coverage everywhere she goes. When she walks the red carpet, young kids from the U.K. to L.A. are screaming her name. She is as far as the music industry is concerned an A Lister. Her fashion game is insane! Her people are all over the trends before they become trends. She is one of the few African American celebrities that wear couture!! The designers and labels love her because of her model looks and height. Gucci spokeperson before the age of 22, her Vogue cover is long overdue and that is only because of a hard ass, sourpuss Anna Wintour.

I’m proud of Rihanna she is doing the damn thing! She is getting the same coverage that any young, white female actress or singer (Miley Cyrus) on the fast track in Hollywood would get. What’s so wrong with that! Why not be supportive that one of our own is making it big time instead of blogging from a negative perspective! Clutch Mag. is OVERLOADING me with their negativity, and that WACK!!

October 23, 2009 at 6:04 pm

……And also so what if she has a team of stylists, so do most A List celebrities! Now if she was walking out in front of the cameras looking torn-down then bitches would be complaining about how she’s a celebrity and she needs to up her game or why she come out looking like that? You just can’t please folks. RiRi just needs to stay focused on her career and “fly above” the internet negativity cause ya sure do need wings to fly all this cyber B.S.

UrbanGypsy says:

October 23, 2009 at 7:18 pm

Now folks are calling each other “bitches”?? behind Rihanna. LMAO!!! Well, if RiRi fans say that we should just avoid seeing her in the media (which is impossible), then maybe they should instead avoid reading criticism about that chick. Sorry Rihanna groupies, but some of us appreciate that Clutch commented on something that needed to be recognized. Now take a sedative or something, please y’all…..

Lisa says:

October 23, 2009 at 9:25 pm

Ogirl, whatever you are smoking, please stop. This entire article could have been written about Beyonce.

I knew the stans were gonna come out for this.

October 23, 2009 at 11:24 pm

Yes Lisa. That statement is included in the article. Do people even bother to read the whole thing. Half the commenters seem like they’re not aware of the entire content.

Islandista says:

October 24, 2009 at 11:37 am

Sky, I don’t need you to make anything “really clear” for me – trust, you are not intelligent enough to condescend to me in that way, so just quit it.

I am perfectly aware that this is not a debate about Caribbean women vs African-American women. I just pointed out MY personal reasons for taking on this shallow post in the first place. And that is, from reading the African-American blogs (which I do nearly every day, as a blogger myself), I have found a lot of the hostility that was aimed at Rihanna had as much to do with her West Indian origins as anything else. And as a proud and passionate Caribbean woman, I feel a need to push back when I feel my people are attacked or criticised – especially when the criticisms lack much basis.

It is clear you don’t find Rihanna interesting and you are entitled to your own, subjective opinion – as I am to mine. :) I make no bones about being subjective. I stan for the Caribbean, straight through.

My issue was and is with:
1) your (willful?) lack of understanding (or maybe it’s just lack of appreciation- again, your right) of the concept of pop in your post which led you to then make sweeping generalisations about her lack of ‘talent’. My point is that cultivating and maintaining a pop image as Rihanna has very successfully done, is a talent in its own right and for that matter, rare among black stars.

2) The major inconsistencies in your post such as your comment about “gossipees being worth the chatter” back then – which I pointed out was wrong and your comment about gossipees having an ounce of originality or unique style – you said that as if it was fact and not your opinion.

As for your opinion about Rihanna being the dullest star out there and not having any personality – again that is your opinion.

You see what you see and we see what we see. For my part, I see a girl whose patriotism to a small island has always shone through, even when her own people were attacking her for BS. She never lost her accent and started twanging and she never spends more than a year away from home. She often finds a way to ‘big up’ Barbados, whether it’s flashing her ‘trident’ ring in the Pon de Replay video or shouting out Barbados when she won her Grammy. She has tried to push our local music scene, putting Barbadian artistes on her albums, introducing them to her management team, supporting our local music awards and bringing other stars to record with Barbadian studios.

To me, that shows a personality – it shows the personality of someone who does not forget where she comes from and is loyal.

sunni says:

October 24, 2009 at 11:53 am

islandista, you were the one who was condescending to the writer and other people who don’t agree with your take on Rihanna in your first posts. so maybe you got what you put out. just because we don’t love her like you obviously do doesn’t mean you gotta knock us down and talk to us like we’re dumb and we don’t get the concept of Pop star, like you said. give some respect to get some respect.

Sky says:

October 24, 2009 at 4:20 pm

Islandista, what a wonderful thesis! A sheer source of pride as well. Rihanna’s one lucky lady;)

MMWHATCHASAY says:

October 25, 2009 at 4:00 am

Clutch you guys sound very ignorant with this article. Instead of trying to tear the girl down with this negative, attention whoring rant, why don’t you just be happy that a black female artist is getting some shine. It’s so typical of us black people to sit there and hate on one of our own. SMDH…..

You’re judging her entire character off of a few pictures where she is not smiling. Do you know her? NO…

You’re saying she has no talent when people are buying her music like wild fire. Do you think anyone gives a fuck about your lame ass definition of talent? NO…

You’re hating oh so hard, just to get a few clicks by talking about her.

Ya’ll so whack and ignorant.

krianne thomasson says:

October 25, 2009 at 9:58 am

well you want 2 know wat i think about RiRi:
1. she sure as hell aint like Beyonce soz yall can cut that shit out now!!!! i would rather go to Beyonce’s concert than Rhianna’s cuz she actually performs. A+ on the dull attitude Rhiannna i would rather watch your back up dancers than you and rather hear them sing 2.
2. that dull attitude is nothing new you guys. hello every since good girl turned bad she has been a walking zombie.
3. any1 notice how she seems to be goin thru a kanye west (after mother’s death) phase?
4. and talkin bout chris havin time to apologize and do his service and stuff…. that should be tellin yall that sumthin aint rite wit that girl. If any1 has a twitter remember rite after the CBreezy incident he posted a comment sayin that we would soon see the real colors of RiRi(and i dont think he ment the bruises lol. ok that wasent funny but im jus sayin)
5. and same subject: any1 ever wonder what really happened between the two? cuz according 2 tha court Rhianna couldnt seem to remember cuz everytim she went into court to testify …her story would change in sum sort of way…im just sayin…. any1 ever wonder about that?

October 25, 2009 at 10:10 am

oh nd mmwahtchasay u r showin tha world how ignorant u r by postin that comment cuz do u kno her either…..? no i didnt think so
so how can u soilidly defend sum1 that could b the exact opposite of wat u think (or r lead 2 believe) she is? am i tryin 2 contradict miself…no cuz ima admit i dont kno her either but im jus stating obvious disturbances in her personality that every1 seem 2 jus skim over. so whenever u get a ligetimate reason 2 y u and all these other ppl defending Rhianna have a reason 4 defending her(besides tha fact that yall lik her music an stuff) blog bac an let tha rest of us kno. cuz obviously she’s doin sumthin wrong b/c we sure aint hatin on all tha other black female entertainers out ther hence Beyonce!!!!

shaunie says:

October 25, 2009 at 10:54 am

None of you hangout with her so how do you know if she is fun to be around. Whether or not she has a personality. The girl has talent, can dress, and is very beautiful. She doesn’t owe anyone a reason or explanation for anything she does unless it against the law. The paparazzi follows her and has been really since umbrella came out.

October 25, 2009 at 11:04 am

You can’t condemn the artist for something that they have no control over. If the paparazzi is sitting outside of their hotel waithing for them to come out they can catch looking any kind of way. Obviously they think it is worth it to follow Rihanna. Talented or not!

October 25, 2009 at 11:51 am

If only it just wasn’t about RiRi and Beyonce constantly. We’re just sick of it – it’s the obsession with her that gets on my nerves – not RiRi herself. That’s also how I interpreted this piece.

OW says:

October 25, 2009 at 11:53 am

I don’t see the point of the article. Couldn’t you say the same thing about almost every celebrity out now?

Even celebrities that aren’t doing anything and don’t have any upcoming projects to speak of i.e. Lindsey Lohan.

October 25, 2009 at 11:55 am

It’s unfair to single Rihanna out. Name me any celebrity that does not have a personal stylist that plans almost every outfit and what image they will portray to the public.

Kandi says:

October 25, 2009 at 12:49 pm

It’s totally fair! Have you been on Bossip, YBF, Sandra Rose and all the others? Everyday it’s something about Rihanna. Her walking down the street, her doing this and that. Now, I understand it may not be her fault, but we are OVERLOADED with her DAILY! The media has to stand up and say ENOUGH! Give someone else some daily shine. Highlight over up and coming celebs to help them rise.

Right now, the only person I see daily on all the sites and blogs are Rihanna, not Beyonce. Also, any other celeb sure – but it’s more Rihanna than anyone else!

Lita says:

October 25, 2009 at 3:05 pm

Rihanna is poppin!! I can tell by the number of posts..I’m tired of her non-talented @ss too but I like looking at her clothes..point blank.

Jaida McKie says:

October 25, 2009 at 4:32 pm

To MMWHATCHASAY: This has nothing to do with tearing black women down. There are plenty of us working hard and I think I can speak for everybody at Clutch when I say we DO give props to hardworking black women. There are plenty of women who have gone above and BEYOND Rihanna, but they’re still underrated. So don’t give me that bull about “black women putting other black women down”. It’s not even about that because if she was any other race and I thought she sucked, I would say so.

Then to Islandnista: You’ve been the most condescending and hypocritical person in this post! You claim we’re putting her down because she’s from the Caribbean, yet you turn around and put down African-American women.

Mostly everybody in the music industry is manufactured (especially those who lack talent). The problem I have with Rihanna is she hasn’t been consistent until recent and even then, that’s questionable. She conformed to what would sell to white folks [aka the biggest consumers of music]. I could see if she started out that way, then it would be different, but I think she gets by on looks and what she wears and I don’t think that’s acceptable. I honestly think she has a lot of growing up to do as a woman, especially as a black woman because one day someone is gonna take her spot. They’re gonna be prettier than her, maybe have a hint of talent and personality and everybody’s gonna move on to the next “it” girl. She’s been a label puppet for the past two years. She’s been doing what Def Jam wants and needs her to do to sell records because like I said, her first two albums were not poppin’. All I’m saying is there’s a lot more she could be doing than parading around the streets in designer clothes and doing things to get unnecessary attention.

Sinnitta says:

October 25, 2009 at 7:31 pm

Yes Jaida,

Well said:
“All I’m saying is there’s a lot more she could be doing than parading around the streets in designer clothes and doing things to get unnecessary attention.”

Amen!

Preach on!!!! Preach on!! You read my mind.

Clnmike says:

October 25, 2009 at 8:52 pm

She always seemed to me to be a bootleg version of Beyonce, but being a pop star does not mean being talented. Just means you have the ability to sell your self as the flavor of the month. A soon as as the next cute light skinned girl who can reasonably hold a note, backed by a major label, with the right celeb friends, comes along with a catchy dance tune than we will see if she really has staying power.

One thing I am sure of is that she damn sure isnt worth an ugly debate over.

may says:

October 26, 2009 at 2:25 am

But here we are, conversing about Rihanna, while looking at her photo. Somebody on her team must be doing something right.

Darlene Johnson says:

October 26, 2009 at 6:08 pm

I never tire of Rihanna. I love to see what she’s wearing next..

Andrea says:

October 26, 2009 at 9:52 pm

Sorry, there were many other black women out there wearing the punk/goth/alt/rave thing before this girl even came to the states, me being one of them.

Mikele says:

October 29, 2009 at 3:46 pm

@Andrea- And Fefe Dobson was another. Add me to the I’m tired of looking at RiRi too list.