Why rihanna navy

If it wasn't already clear by the rebellious release of her eighth studio album Anti , Rihanna has an extremely devoted fandom. The "Navy," as the Barbadian hip-hop artist affectionately refers to it, is RiRi's legion of fans that has formed its own virtual community complete with fan sites , social media profiles and subreddits.

I want them to know those flaws. I'm afraid of the pedestal I want to be a peer to my fans. Thank you for supporting this Caribbean girl as much as you do!!! One Love always!! A photo posted by badgalriri badgalriri on Jul 4, at am PDT.

Skip navigation! Story from Music. Rihanna is one of those rare celebrities who has emphasized her love and respect for her fans. She seems to have a unique understanding of how important a strong fan base is, not only for her record sales, but for her overall success in any endeavor. If you build a foundation like her Navy, then you get boundless support on everything you do — from a sock collaboration and a lipstick line, to sold-out shows and a shoe collection.

That is the magic of superfans. But what is it about the singer that's so intoxicating? What makes her different from the Taylor Swifts and Selena Gomezes of the world? Other artists posses their own equally intense fan groups, but there's something special about the Navy. For that reason, i-D magazine highlighted a group of eccentric "sailors" in Ri's Navy, and asked them to explain in their own words why they're Rihanna stans.

And then went on to became one of the most fearless, confident stars that ever lived. She wears what she likes, she does what she wants, she sings what she feels. Ask a Rihanna fan why they love her as I did, many times , and they'll respond: "She doesn't give a fuck. That's definitely part of the Rihanna story. One of her best-selling sweatshirts even has the words "Role Model" crossed out. But the irony is that RiRi's insouciance has made her the ultimate role model for thousands of young people around the world.

Her fan base is strong in pretty much every country. Rihanna Daily, one of the biggest fan sites, is run internationally by a Brazilian and a Pole. Many people learn English to be able to understand her music. But it's arguably in America, her adoptive home, where she's had the biggest impact on young people's lives. Aaron Fagama, a tall, elegant young man from the Ivory Coast who currently lives in a homeless shelter near Times Square, is motivated by Rihanna's commitment to work work, work, work, work.

He loves "the fact that she came from nothing, she wasn't born into a rich family. If that's not inspiring, I don't know what is. And since then, he says, "she just makes me want to move forward. She motivates others similarly. Sebastian from Queens says, "Honestly, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have gotten through a lot of the things I went through in terms of coming out as gay.

Also just getting through certain situations I had dealing with family problems. She never directly coached me through it obviously, but her music gave me an attitude that translated into real life.

Owen, the Pennsylvania boy with the Rihanna tattoo, says, "Whenever I've had any hardships she's gotten me through them with her music, or whenever I've needed a little extra push I remembered that a girl from the islands that came from nothing is now on top of the world. Rihanna's own issues have proven her resilience to her fans.