Though she can’t vote in the 2024 U.S. election, Rihanna urges fans to vote on her behalf. She is ensuring her fans know the importance of hitting the polls. In a recent Instagram post, the Barbados-born singer shared a playful message, captioning a video of herself looking out a car window with, “POV: me trying to sneak into the polls with my son’s passport #votecauseicant.” Her joke sparked debate, as some followers took offense, interpreting it as a suggestion of illegal voting.
But Rihanna didn’t hold back. To a comment telling her to “stick to music” and keep out of politics, Rihanna replied with a reference to the Capitol riot, writing, “Where were you in Jan 6, sis?” In response to others questioning her right to express opinions on U.S. elections, she fired back confidently, reinforcing her belief that everyone deserves to speak out for issues that matter.
This isn’t Rihanna’s first time speaking on the importance of voting. In 2018, she urged fans to get out and vote in the U.S. midterm elections, calling Election Day “the most important day for the rest of your lives.” She reminded fans that voting is key to making real changes, especially if they’re unhappy with the state of the country.
For many fans, Rihanna’s replies were a refreshing reminder of her fearless attitude, and they celebrated her for it. “These replies? Oh, she’s so back,” wrote one follower.
Why do celebrity comments spark such strong reactions? Should celebrities use their platforms to encourage political participation, or should they just “stick to music”?
