Rihanna Told Sarah Paulson What Keeps Her ‘Alive and Passionate’

Rihanna and Sarah Paulson starred opposite one another in Ocean’s 8 — the female-led extension of the Ocean’s franchise, which starred George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and more. The 2018 film featured smart and criminally-inclined women who scheme their way into pulling off one of the greatest robberies of all time, with Sandra Bullock leading the pack as Debbie Ocean. 

Paulson and Rihanna sat down to talk for Interview Magazine, and Paulson asked the mega-star several questions, which led Rihanna to explain what keeps her going — what keeps her artistic passion alive. 

Rihanna says fame was never part of the plan

Paulson asked Rihanna about her celebrity, and the empire she has built since the beginning of her career. She said, “When you were starting your career, did you always know that you wanted to build an empire and not just be an entertainer? Rihanna explained that all she has amassed since the beginning of her career was not part of the original vision. Rihanna had “one dream,” sharing, 

“No, sis. I had one dream and that was for my music to be heard all over the world. I didn’t even think about the fame part, and then that came, and I was like, ‘Oh, shoot. Do I really want to do this?’” 

While fame was not on the agenda, she got it, and as a result, she has been able to spread her art far and wide. 

Rihanna on ‘the thing that keeps [her] alive’

Rihanna went on to tell Paulson that, once the fame came, she did find herself questioning what she wanted, but creativity keeps her going. She shared:

“But the thing that keeps me alive and passionate is being creative. With every business outlet, I’m making something from a vision to a reality, and that’s the thing I really enjoy. Music had led me to these other outlets, and to things that I genuinely love. My mom pretty much worked in the beauty and perfume industry for a long time—she did makeup for people and was a makeup artist—so I always loved that.”

Rihanna | Interview Magazine

Music has “led” Rihanna to other creative outlets that her fans, who call themselves “The Navy,” continue to admire. From beauty to perfume, she can do it all. And, here’s to hoping these two appear together in Ocean’s 9.