'SO REAL'
Why can’t Rihanna vote in Presidential Election 2024? Reason why Fenty star can’t go to polls
The Umbrella singer has previously encouraged voter participation, helped with voter registration drives and political awareness campaigns
THE 2024 US Presidential Election has brought all manner of celebrity endorsements to both sides of the campaign trail.
While megastar singer Rihanna has been politically active on social media, she isn't allowed to vote — here's everything we know about why.
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Rihanna cannot vote in the 2024 US Presidential Election because she is not an American citizen, despite her long-standing residence in the country.
The superstar was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in Barbados and has maintained her Barbadian citizenship since moving to the US in 2005.
Citizenship status
Rihanna's situation is interesting because while she cannot vote, her immediate family members are all US nationals.
Her partner A$AP Rocky and their two children — two-year-old RZA and one-year-old Riot — are all American natives.
To vote in US presidential elections, an individual must be an American citizen.
As Rihanna has not pursued American citizenship, she is currently ineligible to participate in the electoral process.
Public response
Even so, she took to social media to joke about 'sneaking in' to cast a vote.
On November 4, 2024, along with a video of the singer looking out a car window, Rihanna wrote on Instagram: “POV: me trying to sneak into the polls with my son’s passport #votecauseicant”
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She also captioned her post with: “When protecting p***ies and firing p***ies can happen all in one vote #VoteCauseICant #TanSuitSeason”
Many people praised her actions, with one posting: “You’re so real for this.”
Another wrote: “Yessss! vote for those who can’t!!”
The revelation of Rihanna's citizenship status surprised many fans, with some encouraging her to apply for dual citizenship.
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Political engagement
Despite her inability to vote, the Fenty Beauty founder remains politically active.
She has consistently used her platform to encourage voter participation in previous elections, including the 2018 midterms and 2020 presidential election.
Rihanna has also previously helped with voter registration drives and political awareness campaigns.
In 2020, she posted: “Check your voter registration status, register, and VOTE!!! Go to VOTE.ORG right now and get it done.
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"If you can, work those polls too...let’s go! Follow @claralionelfdn for updates and info on the easiest steps to vote! #NationalVoterRegistrationDay”
Through her social media presence and public statements, the Umbrella singer continues to influence political discourse, even though she cannot currently vote.
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