In the lead-up to Election Day, Rihanna turned to social media to inspire her fans to vote. Though she isn’t a U.S. citizen, the global superstar playfully encouraged participation, even joking about using her son’s passport to cast a ballot.
Rihanna, who hails from Barbados, isn’t eligible to vote in the United States, but that hasn’t deterred her from urging her millions of fans to make their voices heard. In a playful Instagram video posted the day before Election Day, the singer recorded herself in a car, captioning the clip, “POV: me trying to sneak into the polls with my son’s passport. #votecauseicant.” Her light-hearted take served as a memorable reminder of the significance of civic engagement.
In addition to the funny video, Rihanna’s caption suggested her political views. She wrote, “when protecting pussies and firing pussies can happen all in one vote #votecauseicant #TanSuitSeason.” This message appeared to subtly support a candidate associated with progressive values, igniting discussions among her followers. While she didn’t mention any specific politician, her fans eagerly interpreted her words as an endorsement.
A History of Encouraging Voter Participation
This isn’t Rihanna’s first time advocating for voter participation. During the 2018 midterm elections, she leveraged her platform to boost voter turnout, sharing important voting information and emphasizing the significance of engaging in democracy. In her 2018 post, she declared, “It’s ELECTION DAY America!!! The most important day for the rest of your lives…all you have is right now! TODAY!! If you’re tired of complaining about the state of the country and government, get up and do something about it!!! #VOTE… simple!!!”
When a fan asked her if she was a U.S. citizen, Rihanna playfully responded, “Nah, I’m an immigrant tryna get yo country together. Did u vote?” Her dedication to promoting civic engagement, despite not being able to participate herself, has made her a relatable figure for many of her fans.
