WAS OPRAH ‘s INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TOO HARSH ON RIHANNA

Oprah’s heavily anticipated interview with Rihanna arrived Sunday, August 19th on World Humanitarian Day with mixed reviews from fans of Oprah and Rihanna alike. So who came out on top, who was the most controversial and what issues hit a soft spot are just some questions all the talk of media today and so I added my very own impasse to add to a historical day….

First, I thought we were going to get a tour of Rihanna’s estate and symbolism of the decorations and things that mattered to her personal style. That would have been great for little girls watching. I waited for Rihanna to reveal childhood secrets and possibly an in depth conversation with a childhood friend with a no holds barred style and ability to give insight of Rihanna’s personality growing up.

This authenticates a person has a soul. It makes their journey to the top so much easier and likable to those who have mixed feelings about Rihanna being a sex image from day one but I get that it’s all been a facade the minute bright eyed Rihanna appears. She is no bad ass at all. You can tell she’s vulnerable, somewhat coy, but honest and direct when she has to be. This was not going to be an easy interview for Rihanna who choked back tears.

I expected  majestic and iconic praise for Rihanna’s accomplishments which are huge, and  maybe a home town party planned in advance instead of  a drive by, hand waves, smiles and see you laters. I guess this wasn’t the Oprah show so it was a nice  normal sit down girl talk with caution, but nothing to say oh wow an Oprah style interview we miss. Oprah has been hurt before. Even Whitney had some disagreeable moments with Oprah. I could see they were both on guard. After all,both make tons of money and will never go broek a day in their lives.

I wanted to know about Rihanna’s home town schooling and teachers who knew of her and the talent that was home grown on her island. Sensitivity toward Rihanna’s pride in her island comes from the people who live there with her and voices deserved to be heard unscripted, but  this was also, silhouetted. Perhaps, the smiles are sincere and some not. It’s not like Rihanna is feeding her whole town. She made that money they didn’t. Her pride is with her people, but you get that she isn’t a hand type on purpose. Rihanna is just herself, nothing more nothing less.

Instead of all of these expectations the interview flashbacked on provocative and stereotypical images of Rihanna as a  performer , but not so much her in the studio practicing dance steps or singing. We never got to see that.

I wanted to see audiences shouting, screaming and serenading one of the most successful female pop artists of all time in the script for a nice ego boost, but that didn’t happen.

 No praise, no pedestal, no girl power love, just a cold visit in the doctors office so it seemed as  the singer claims she didn’t want to be on a pedestal, but we all know she didn’t feel like she deserved  that treatment like most rising artists because they have endured so much pain, hurt and  deceit. I expected Oprah to go out of her way to cheer up the singer. It was Mommy “Oprah’ Dearest time and I know unintentional, but Oprah had to remain unbiased and professional.

Why she brought up Rihanna’s grandmother was just heart wrenching. It changed her ability to truly be herself and the singer was reduced to tears early on. The tough girl exterior and confidence people wanted to see flushed right down the toilet. The swagger was gone and there was Rihanna’s soul naked to the world without apology.

I knew from first glance Rihanna was hurt by Oprah years ago when she took it upon herself to speek into the cameras and admonish Rihanna to not go back with Chris Brown, but at same time she respected Oprah’s admonishment as well as feared it. Since the  previews for the Oprah interview mentioned Chris Brown repeatedly I expected to hear more about what actually happened in that car on that tragic day I will admit.

Rihanna was brave enough to face Oprah even though with humbled tears and say she forgives Chris Brown, and that yes indeed, no matter what the world thinks, he was her best friend.

The good in all is that Oprah did not shun her comments this time, but embraced her with a tough love approach, no hugs, no consoling, no shared tears, just a hammer away approach like I’m here, but I may not really be on your side right now because it will reveal my own travesty with domestic abuse, but Oprah remained resilient.

When Oprah stated that somet media went as far as to say her name symbolizes a word that rhymes with’puck ‘to possibly just as many young viewers tuning into Rihanna, I was a little disheartened, but it was a true statement. Rihanna handled it well.

I questioned, how could Oprah say something like that. Rihanna’s an artist, sex sales and she followed her dreams and broke through. It’s a common scenario. Some people are going to get to the top dating movers and shakers, some will get there marrying them, some will get there sleeping with them and some women will get there with their own image and bodies. These are the only formulas existent today and  I think Oprah  may not admit she was a sex symbol in her own way when she lost tons of weight and just as beautiful to many when she gained weight. Some people were even jealous of Oprah’s wholesome looks and thick hair. Oprah has been in Rihanna’s shoes as an objectified vision of hate, but conquered it all.

So it is fair to say Oprah  gave Rihanna a scolding, but Rihanna was able to remain tearful in a sweet and protective way to woo over Oprah’s viewers with sympathy. Oprah’s most shocking question was the big ‘Who are You’ question? I don’t think Rihanna even knew that one.

It’s almost as if Oprah was beating Rihanna up all over again with her permission in her own home because she’s been a bad girl lately. For a moment Oprah was mama and I am sure Rihanna felt that whip to never stray too far because this world will eat you up and spit you out like beef jerky. I think Rihanna got Oprah’s message no matter how tough it was for her to face her inner demons. The truth is she has got to get over Chris Brown and move on to the next phase of her life. I think Oprah helped her do that.

Her own mother more concerned with Rihanna’s life reluctantly took the keys to her brand new home Rihanna bought her. I know a discerning mother when I see one on tv and the truth is n one can control Rihanna, not even Oprah. She is going to make her own decisions and admitted to seeing Chris Brown. It may be her fate and it may be her call to healing. I sense Rihanna was genuine and isn’t that bad girl impresario, but a guy like Chris Brown can take her there and toy with her emotions. He’s always on her mind and Rihanna can’t shake him and possibly never will.

People will say this was one of Oprah’s worse interviews ever because she seemed distant from Rihanna as she cried all through out the interview, but it’s that tough lough image we’ve come to know of Oprah who didn’t get to her billion dollar kingdom without tough love from her critics as well.