Rihanna hasn't released an album since 2016. She's also a billionaire.
Fenty Beauty launched in 2017 and made $100 million in 40 days. By 2021, Rihanna was worth $1.7 billion, making her the richest female musician in the world.
Not from music. From makeup.
The Fenty Beauty Launch
September 2017 launch statistics:
- 40 shades of foundation (industry-changing)
- $100 million revenue in 40 days
- Sold out repeatedly
- Available in 17 countries simultaneously
The beauty industry had never seen anything like it.
The Innovation: 40 Shades
The foundation range was revolutionary:
- Most brands: 10-20 shades
- Fenty: 40 shades from start
- Deep shades that actually matched dark skin
- Inclusivity as a core value
She didn't just add shades. She made inclusion the point.
The "Fenty Effect"
Fenty Beauty changed the industry:
- Competitors expanded shade ranges
- "40 shades" became a standard
- Inclusivity became expected
- Entire category shifted
Other brands had to catch up to her starting point.
The Numbers
Fenty Beauty by the numbers:
- $570 million revenue (first year)
- Worth $2.8 billion (estimated)
- Rihanna owns 50%
- LVMH is her partner
She's not a spokesperson. She's an owner.
The LVMH Partnership
Partnering with LVMH was strategic:
- World's largest luxury group
- Infrastructure and distribution
- Credibility with retailers
- Kept 50% ownership
She got the resources without giving up control.
Savage X Fenty
Beyond beauty, she built lingerie:
- Inclusive sizing (XS to 4X)
- Diverse models
- Fashion shows that rivaled Victoria's Secret
- $1 billion valuation
Another industry disrupted with the same playbook.
The Music Hiatus
Album timeline:
- Anti (2016): Last album
- 8+ years without new music
- Occasional features
- Super Bowl performance (2023)
Her fans wait. She's building businesses.
The Super Bowl
Super Bowl LVII halftime show (2023):
- First performance in years
- Revealed pregnancy during show
- Didn't release new music for it
- Still dominated
She performed a greatest hits set and announced a baby. That's confidence.
The Billionaire Milestone
In August 2021:
- Forbes declared her a billionaire
- $1.7 billion net worth
- 80% from Fenty Beauty
- Richest female musician ever
She surpassed Madonna, Beyoncé, everyone. With makeup.
Why It Worked
Fenty Beauty succeeded because:
- Real problem solved (inclusivity)
- Quality products
- Rihanna's authentic involvement
- Massive built-in audience
- Brilliant marketing
She didn't just put her name on it. She understood the market.
Her Involvement
Rihanna is genuinely involved:
- Tests every product
- Attends development meetings
- Approves everything
- Not just a face
The authenticity shows in the product quality.
The Business Mind
Rihanna's business approach:
- Owns, doesn't endorse
- Partners strategically
- Maintains control
- Thinks long-term
She's not just famous. She's smart.
The Representation Impact
Beyond business, Fenty Beauty mattered culturally:
- Dark-skinned women saw themselves
- "My shade exists"
- Representation in a space that ignored them
- Changed expectations
The cultural impact was as significant as the financial.
Fenty Skin
Extended into skincare (2020):
- Cleansers, moisturizers, serums
- Same inclusive approach
- High-quality formulas
- Extension of the Fenty ecosystem
Building a beauty empire, not just a brand.
Fenty Hair?
Expansion expected:
- Haircare rumors persist
- Would complete the category
- Her involvement expected
- When, not if
The empire keeps growing.
The Music Question
Will she release new music?
- "When I'm ready"
- She's said it's coming
- Business takes priority currently
- Fans remain hopeful
She doesn't owe anyone an album. She's building generational wealth.
The Motherhood Chapter
She's now a mother:
- First child with A$AP Rocky (2022)
- Second child (2023)
- Balancing business and family
- New priorities
Motherhood may or may not affect the music timeline.
The A$AP Rocky Relationship
Her partnership with A$AP Rocky:
- Together since 2020
- Two children
- Seem genuinely happy
- Private but visible
After public relationships (Chris Brown, Drake connections), this feels stable.
The Competition
Other celebrity beauty brands:
- Kylie Cosmetics (sold majority stake)
- Rare Beauty (Selena Gomez)
- Rhode (Hailey Bieber)
- Various others
Fenty was first and biggest. Others follow her model.
The Long Game
Rihanna is building for decades:
- Multiple business verticals
- Ownership over endorsement
- Diversified portfolio
- Generational wealth
She's not thinking about next year. She's thinking about legacy.
The Shift
Rihanna's career evolution:
- Phase 1: Pop star (2005-2016)
- Phase 2: Business mogul (2017-present)
- Phase 3: Mother and mogul
Each phase more powerful than the last.
The Lesson
Rihanna's Fenty success teaches:
- Own, don't endorse
- Solve real problems
- Be authentic
- Partner strategically
- Play the long game
She saw an industry that excluded people. She fixed it and got rich.
The Legacy
Rihanna will be remembered as:
- One of the biggest pop stars ever
- A beauty industry revolutionary
- A billionaire mogul
- Someone who did it her way
The music made her famous. The makeup made her rich.
And she's not done yet.
R9 might drop. Or it might not. Either way, she wins.
That's the real power move.
