Rihanna, Ambassador of Cool, among the world’s most influential 100 people

By Tony Best

            That’s the latest accolade Rihanna, the popular Caribbean singer and Barbados’ roving Ambassador has received and this time it has come from Time magazine. The Barbadian, who was dubbed the “Ambassador of Cool” by one of the world’ s best known weekly publications was hailed for her musical talent, on stage excellence, good looks and yes, her way of doing things.

            “She’s one of the coolest, hottest,  most liked, most listened to, most followed, most impressive artist at work today, but she does it in her stride,” was the way Stella McCartney, a fashion designer, put it at the request of Time. “She works hard, very hard. She gives to her fans, friends and foundation not just herself, but her energy and spirit.

            “Rihanna, 24, goes out of her way to support the people she believes in. She is one of the few people I know in the world of fame and celebrity who isn’t about themselves. She’ll give a real part of herself to an ordinary person she may meet, and that’s rare.

            “This is the beginning for Rihanna –she has more to do and to give. She is just getting going, so watch out. She is the Barbados Ambassador for youth ad culture, and she is coming to a town near you,” added Time.

            The Grammy award winning singer whose music has sold tens of millions in less than a decade was labeled a “superstar” and she finds herself in excellent company on the Time list. U.S. President Barack Obama, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; Viola Davis, the movie actress who gained an Oscar Award nomination this year for her role in “Help;” Warren Buffett, one of the world’s richest men, whose profile was written by President Obama; Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential 2012 nominee; Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister; Portia Simpson-Miller, Jamaica’s leader; Christine Legarde, Managing Director f the International Monetary Fund; Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s President; Fatu Bensouda, Chief prosecutor of the international criminal court; Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank; Iran’s Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; Colombia President, Juan Manuel Santos; Roman Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan of  the New York Archdiocese; and Andrew Cuomo, New York’s Governor.

            Rihanna shot to fame in the past seven years after coming to the United states to seek fame and fortune as a pop singer and has become one of the world’s best known entertainers.