Just the other day, we were using a stream of descriptors to report on multi-hyphenate megastar Rihanna, and we now have another. As reported by People, it was announced Thursday that Rih had accepted the role of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in the government of her native Barbados
Real talk? We might use “extraordinary” to describe Rihanna’s seemingly tireless investments, too. But does she have time to be a “plenipotentiary” (which we admittedly had to look up)? The role, otherwise known as “a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government, typically in a foreign country,” sounds pretty intense.
On the country’s government information site, it says the woman whose government name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty has been endowed with the “specific responsibility for promoting education, tourism and investment for the island.”
Regarding the appointment, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley stated:
Rihanna has a deep love for this country and this is reflected in her philanthropy, especially in the areas of health and education. She also shows her patriotism in the way she gives back to this country and continues to treasure the island as her home.
She has also demonstrated, beyond her success as a pop icon, significant creative acumen and shrewdness in business. It is therefore fitting that we engage and empower her to play a more definitive role as we work to transform Barbados.
Unbeknownst to us, Rih’s new appointment is actually a long-overdue promotion, since she’s been one of Barbados’ cultural ambassadors since 2008.
Of her new role, Ambassador Fenty said: “I couldn’t be more proud to take on such a prestigious title in my home country. Every Barbadian is going to have to play their role in this current effort, and I’m ready and excited to take on the responsibility. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mottley and her team to reimagine Barbados.”