Barbados Appoints Pop Icon Rihanna as Ambassador

Rihanna, one of the best selling singers with 250 million record sales globally, was appointed as an ambassador of Barbados by the country's Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

Famous singer and entrepreneur, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, 30, popularly known as Rihanna has been appointed as "Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary" for her native country Barbados on Thursday.

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According to a statement from the Barbados Government Information Office, the position gives the singer "specific responsibility for promoting education, tourism, and investment for the island."

Rihanna, born in Saint Michael and raised in the capital Bridgetown, was already appointed as Barbados’ cultural ambassador in 2008 to promote tourism for the country. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said she was honored to confer her the said title.

"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,” says the statement.

Adding to it, the prime minister also said, “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.”

In May, during the country’s general elections, Rihanna vocally supported the current prime minister, who was the opposition leader before the polls. After her win, the Barbados Labor Party leader and the first woman prime minister of Barbados was heartily congratulated by the superstar saying that it is a well-deserved win.

The head of the Fenty Brand which includes cosmetics and lingerie said in a statement that she is proud to accept her new role.

“I couldn’t be more proud to take on such a prestigious title in my home country,” Rihanna said. “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 re-imagine Barbados.”