Rihanna Responds to Criticism About U.S. Residency with Witty Comeback
3 min read
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Rihanna recently reminded fans—and a few critics—why she’s known for her sharp responses and outspoken personality. Despite being a Barbadian citizen living in the United States, the pop icon took a moment to engage with fans on Instagram in a lighthearted post encouraging her followers to vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. However, one fan’s skeptical question about her residency drew a response that perfectly captured Rihanna’s quick wit.
In an Instagram video shared with her millions of followers, Rihanna humorously hinted at the challenges of being a non-citizen during election season. She filmed herself in the car and joked about trying to “sneak into the polls” with her eldest son’s passport to cast a vote. With her trademark humor, she added the hashtag “#votecauseicant,” referencing her inability to vote as a non-U.S. citizen. Fans embraced the playful post, praising the singer for raising awareness about the importance of voting even though she can’t participate herself.
However, not all fans were impressed. One Instagram user, going by the handle kristopher_jordan, bluntly questioned why Rihanna is permitted to live in the U.S. despite her non-citizen status, asking, “How TF can you live here and been living here if you aren’t a U.S. citizen?” Rihanna, known for her no-nonsense responses, clapped back with a brief but pointed reply: “taxes dummy,” paired with a shrugging emoji to mirror the tone of the commenter.
Rihanna’s response resonated with fans who quickly praised her for standing up for herself. As a global superstar and successful entrepreneur, Rihanna has made it clear she contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, especially through her Fenty Beauty brand and Savage X Fenty lingerie line, both of which have a major presence in the United States.
Although she can’t vote, Rihanna didn’t shy away from showing her political leanings. In the same Instagram post, she subtly expressed her support for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, using the caption, “When protecting p* and firing p* can happen all in one vote,” an apparent dig at certain Republican policies. Rihanna’s wordplay also alluded to women’s rights, a cause she’s vocally supported for years, especially regarding reproductive rights. Her choice of the hashtag “#tansuitseason” was another pointed reference, recalling the tan suit President Obama famously wore, a color choice also embraced by Harris on the campaign trail.
This isn’t the first time Rihanna has made her political stance clear. Back in 2020, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won their respective roles, Rihanna celebrated their victory on social media, calling them “history makers” and “boundary breakers.” Since then, she’s continued to lend her voice to discussions on women’s rights and social justice issues, making her one of the most politically engaged celebrities in pop culture today.
Despite not holding U.S. citizenship, Rihanna has called America home for almost two decades. Originally from Barbados, the singer moved to the U.S. in 2005 and has since built a thriving career and family. While her sons, RZA and Riot, and her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, are U.S. citizens, Rihanna has kept her Barbadian citizenship, becoming an ambassador for her home country in 2018. Her identity as a Barbadian remains an integral part of who she is, and she often celebrates her heritage through her music, fashion, and activism.
As the 2024 election approaches, Rihanna’s post has put her among the many celebrities who’ve openly backed Kamala Harris, joining others like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga in advocating for voter participation. Though she may not be able to vote herself, Rihanna continues to use her platform to encourage others to make their voices heard. With her latest clapback, she’s also reminded critics that, citizen or not, her influence and contributions to the U.S. are undeniable.
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
