Singer turned business mogul Rihanna has added one more feather to her cap. She has just emerged as the youngest self-made billionaire in the US.
The nine-time Grammy Award winner has reached the mark of 1,400 million dollars of net worth. Forbes estimates that a major portion of her net worth comes mainly from her music and cosmetics companies. Her riches also make her the richest female musician in the world, Forbes had previously reported.
In the past year, Forbes has recorded 87 less billionaires than it did in 2020. With a global pandemic, economic setbacks, and inflation across the world, it has been a hard year for a lot of people, some of the 1% included.
Although it has been tough, 236 have managed to join the ranks of billionaires across the world. Among the list is Rihanna, the founder and CEO of Fenty Beauty, a cosmetic company. She ranked 21st overall and is the list’s only billionaire under the age of 40.
As mentioned previously, some of Rihanna’s $1.4 billion net worth is from her successful music career and most of it is from her three retail companies: Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, and Savage X Fenty. The singer owns 50% of Fenty Beauty, which reportedly brought in $550 million in 2020. She also owns a 30% stake in her Savage X Fenty lingerie brand.
Rihanna made her debut on the Forbes annual billionaires list in April this year. She has had an interesting career from humble beginnings to stardom, then nearly going bankrupt to increasing her net worth at that time by 340% now. She kick-started her career in 2003 at around 15 years old and has been working for 19 years now.
In 2019, Rihanna told the New York Times that she doesn't plan to stop working despite the fortune she has amassed. “I never thought she would make so much money, so a number won't stop me from working," she said.
“The money means I can take care of my family," she continued. “The money means I can facilitate the businesses that I want. I can create jobs for other people,” she said.
With Rihanna taking the first spot on the list, Kim Kardashian moved to second place. The 41-year-old has a net worth of $1.8 billion.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.