Rihanna has topped the charts worldwide, and now she finds herself in the company of a different set of talent. The 24-year-old pop star has been named one of TIME magazine’s most influential people in the world.
She joins a prestigious list of 100 artists, activists, reformers, researchers, and heads of state including President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Adele, Chelsea Handler, and Jeremy Lin.
The “We Found Love” singer posed as a blonde for famed photographer Terry Richardson, while her friend Stella McCartney praised her in an open letter.
“She’s one of the coolest, hottest, most talented, most liked, most listened to, most followed, most impressive artists at work today, but she does it in her own stride,” writes McCartney. “She is one of the few people I know in that world of fame and celebrity who aren’t all about themselves. She’ll give a real part of herself to an ordinary person she may meet, and that’s rare.”
Rihanna thanked everyone who made it happen. “We made TIME 100 most influential people’s list! Thank you Navi, TIME mag, and Stella for an exquisite write up!” she tweeted.
To celebrate, she will perform at the eighth annual TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York on April 24.