The cookie crumbles. Thoughts on Rihanna.

For anyone out there longing to be a Pop-Culture Celeb, gird your loins, buckle your bootstraps and read this first. Maybe you're so caught up in the process, that you've overlooked some very disturbing parts of the Celeb process.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I've got to give you a gentle reminder about what happens to ALL stars on the rise.

Case in point? My Bajan girl, Rihanna.

Who doesn't love Rihanna? She's got the caramel skin and greeny-brown cat eyes, the cutesy, off-kilter Barbadian lilt, tres-chic personal style, and her music sells. Whether or not you're a crazed fan of the singer or you're hating - like my Hubbie - you must admit that she's doing her thing out there.

And for what seemed to be the longest time, things were all peachy clean for Rih-Rih. Major Magazine covers? Check. Fashion Designer & Celebrity friends? Check. Number one hits, big performances, and a throbbing fan base? Check, Check, and Check.

So what could possibly go wrong? How about almost everything?

We all know the Chris Brown thing was a debacle. Being the first time that we saw Rihanna popping onto the covers of Rag Mags, we were peeled to the gossip pages, trying to figure out what had happened. Some said they had a crazy, love/war kinda relationship and this was just another blow-up, others said that Chris Brown tripped out.

What ever the scene was, we all know now that he did indeed physically attack her; he admitted doing so during their court trial yesterday, and, for what it's worth, got only a perfunctory slap on the wrist (probation & community service) for his crime.

Strike one against Rihanna.

But what about the rumours that she's been on a rebound bend since the fallout, having wanton flings with Kanye West, and other rappers?

Or the recent allegations that she's actually a lesbian now, according to speculations in the June 22nd issue of U.K. fashion weekly, Look Magazine, having flirtations with her personal assistant Melissa Forde, and caught in a love triangle between rapper Trina (who's said to be working on new songs with Rihanna) and said assistant?

Strike two, and three?

It's sad, but that's how the rumor-mongering Celebrity trail works. The allegations are unfounded, but the logic behind the rumors is sound: She was physically abused in a serious relationship with a man she loved, so being traumatized, she turned to the women around her for comfort, which evolved into deeper, romantic relations with women she feels safe with...

Logical, (in the rumor world) but totally unfounded. In this day and age, where homosexual folk from all walks of life are out and proud - no pun intended - it's backward to think that accusing someone of homosexuality is news-worthy.

What's even more insulting, is if the person accused is not even faintly homosexual! Maybe Rihanna is creeping over the fence on the lows, maybe not. But this is only the latest in what will unfortunately be a long string of allegations, slurs, scandals and such to fall at the doorsteps of the star.

After a while the novelty will wear out, and some other hot-n-perfect Celeb will be the target, but for now, previously untouchable Rihanna is the latest on the chopping block.

Unfortunate, yes. But that's just how the Celebrity cookie crumbles.

Take note, and learn.


L.M.N. Harris.

N.B. Image courtesy Daily Mail.co.uk