After only a year in the industry, Rihanna has accomplished things many music artists can only hope to achieve by the end of their careers.

 

The four singles she's released have all occupied spots at the top of the Billboard charts, she also taped a guest-spot on "TRL," and "All My Children," appeared on "The View," and is doing some limited touring through the end of September.

 

All this, and she's only 18.

 

"I'm proud of every little thing I've done or gotten, because I've worked hard for it," she says during a phone interview.

 

And all her hard work has paid off. Born Robyn Fenty, her second album under the Def Jam label, "A Girl Like Me," has been certified as platinum and she'll be making her acting debut in "Bring It On: All or Nothing" later this year.

 

"First and foremost, her music is really solid. All of her singles have been catchy radio hits," said Bryan Martinez, an on-air personality at a local Connecticut radio station. "She has yet to flop."

 

Martinez says Barbados-born Rihanna has looks on her side. While other female vocalists out right now "" think Jessica Simpson or Kelly Clarkson "" have a "girl next door" look about them, Rihanna's image sets her apart from the rest.

 

"She has a very exotic sex appeal," Martinez says. "She comes across as being really down-to-earth and real while maintaining that sex appeal."

 

But libido alone doesn't explain Rihanna's popularity "" women are buying her records, too. Though she's only 18 and has shot to fame in what seems like record time, Rihanna says she doesn't mind being looked up to by young girls hoping to get into the industry.

 

"There are a lot of little girls out there who would like to get into this industry, and I don't want to crush their dreams, but it's hard "" prepare to work," she says. "I'm honored to be a role model to someone, and that definitely creates an extra bit of pressure. You become so much more aware of everything you say and how you do things because you don't want to set a bad example."

 

-The Shreveport Times

 

 

So true!

she has alot of albums ahead of her i can sense it!

Woah! I thought she was like 23 :o

does anyon eknow uk sales for the first album?

Thye were poor and i think wikipedia was wrong..but it doesn't matter anyway.. there will be a 3rd album and if it has a great lead single like both of the albums before it, it will sell well and we will get a 3rd album...i really think she will be around for quite a bit.

i def think she has staying power for a while yet,3 rd album i think will be successfull