You’ve likely seen the video: Dressed in a black tee, nude tights, and oversized burgundy sunglasses, Rihanna emphatically raps along to GloRilla’s “TGIF,” positioned inside a hotel room door frame. Does A$AP Rocky’s look of bewilderment keep Rih from belting, “It’s 7 p.m. Friday, it’s ninety-five degrees!” with the utmost enthusiasm? No. Do her stiletto heels prevent her from dropping it low when she reaches mid verse? Absolutely not; a GloRilla hit will have that effect on you.

The July 2024 video served as proof that Rihanna is just like us: a big GloRilla fan. So much so that when it came time to pick a face for her Fenty empire—the first that would represent the brand across Fenty Beauty, Hair, Skin and Savage x Fenty—the Memphis-born rapper was the obvious choice. “I want to say I was at home in my car,” GloRilla tells Vogue of learning that she’d be the newest Fenty ambassador, “and I was so excited about it.”

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Home for the star is currently Atlanta, but when we speak, it’s the Saturday before the 2025 Grammys, and the tattooed rapper with a singular southern accent is in L.A. rehearsing for a performance at Battle of the Bands. Though versions of the HBCU marching band competition have taken place in Tennessee, “I never went to one, actually,” Glo says, “and I always wanted to.” Now, she’s as much of a draw as the bands themselves (if not more), a two-time Grammy nominee, and the face of all things Fenty.

Here, GloRilla talks about the whirlwind of fame, her love of Rihanna, wearing Savage x Fenty, and more—exclusively with Vogue.

Vogue: You’re a noted Rihanna fan and now the face of Fenty. Tell us about your earliest Rihanna memory.

Glorilla: first song I heard from her was “Umbrella,” and I just fell in love with her. My mom used to always say that I looked like her, and when I went places people would tell me that. I loved it, and I loved her music.

How are you enjoying life in Atlanta?

It’s good. It’s like an upgraded version of Memphis—a more resourceful version. And when I want to go home, it’s just six hours to drive.

You drive home?

I ride home. I don’t drive, I got a driver.

Courtesy of Fenty Beauty
Nice. So prior to shooting your Fenty campaign, did you use any Fenty Beauty products or wear any Savage x Fenty?

I love Fenty lip gloss—the one in the square tube. It may be in my purse right now. And my makeup artist uses a highlighter on me that I love. It makes my face so shimmery. And I don’t like soft baby hairs, I like the gelled down baby hair look, so I’ve been using the edge control.

Speaking of hair, tell us about your hair journey. How did you wear your hair growing up?

My momma did my hair for the most part until I got into high school. She was still doing the little clips and stuff when I was in middle school, and I used to hate it. I was too grown to be wearing my hair like that! I was like, “this is a five-year old’s hairstyle.” When I got 14, 15, I started letting real hairstylists do my hair, and I started with the weaves and everything.

Did you perm your hair when you were younger?

Uh huh. My momma permed my hair when I was like four years old.

And do you still perm your hair today?

No, I’ve been natural for two years now, since October 2022.

What has that adjustment been like for you? I went natural years ago and it was a challenge.

Well I’m 1000 percent tender-headed, so I hate getting my hair braided. I keep my braids in for months at a time because I be crying when I get my hair done. I don’t do nothing with my real hair but keep it underneath wigs.

Courtesy of Fenty Beauty

I think I know the answer to this, but what’s your favorite way to wear your hair?

I wear a side part, for the most part. I like black, and I do blonde sometimes.

Right. You went with black hair for your Fenty campaign shoot. What was that shoot like?

It was a good day. I like shooting when I look real cute in everything I have on. I don’t like photo shoots where I have to look a certain type of way and I can’t pick what I want to do. But I was comfortable in everything I was putting on, so it was a good shoot.

Did you have a favorite look?

I liked all of them. I’m real thick so I looked good in everything. And I’m comfortable with my body now because I’ve been in the gym. Everything fit me perfect.

Thinking back to that video of Rihanna dancing to ‘TGIF,” what was your reaction?

I was just screaming. I was like, “Oh my God.” I had just dropped the song and I was going to perform it at the BET Awards, and I was at rehearsals. I sat down to take a break, hopped on Instagram, and that’s the first thing I saw. I couldn’t believe it. I just screamed. I was like, “Ya’ll, Rihanna just posted me!”

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Tell us, when you started your career, what did you envision for it and how is that the same or different from what it has grown into?

I ain’t going to lie, I knew I was going to make it. I always had faith in myself, but I didn’t know I was going to be as big as I am. I didn’t think I’d be doing all of this.

What has the adjustment to fame been like?

I think I’m finally adjusting to it. The first two years I still wasn’t used to it, but I think I’m getting used to it. I’m still appreciating everything that comes my way, though. I’m not taking nothing for granted. I’m still excited for everything.

What do you hope people take away from your campaign?

That I’m grown and sexy now. I used to be a little tomboy, but I’m 25 now, I’m in my golden era. I just feel like I done stepped into myself, into my grown woman era.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

Courtesy of Fenty Beauty