Global superstar Rihanna has made her long-awaited musical comeback with the release of ‘Friend of Mine’, featured in the upcoming Smurfs animated movie. This marks her first new music since 2022’s ‘Born Again’, which appeared on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
A Dual Role in the Smurfs Universe
The new Smurfs film is set to premiere in cinemas nationwide on July 18, with Rihanna not only lending her voice to the movie’s soundtrack but also starring as Smurfette.
This is the 37-year-old singer’s first return to voice acting since the 2015 animated film Home. She has also appeared in major Hollywood productions including Ocean’s 8 and Battleship.
The Wait for a New Rihanna Album Continues
While fans are thrilled to hear Rihanna back on a track, many are still hoping for a full album. Her last studio album, ‘ANTI’, was released in 2016. Since then, she has focused on other ventures, including fashion, beauty, and motherhood.
Oscar Deams on the Horizon
In past interviews, Rihanna has spoken about her ambitions beyond music. When asked if winning an Oscar was on her bucket list, she responded:
“I’d love to get there one day. Who doesn’t want to be told they are doing a great job?
Any validation that your work is impacting is rewarding. I work hard and put my all into everything I do, but the rest isn’t up to me.”
She added that while awards like Grammys or Oscars are an honor, her focus remains on giving her best in every project.
Fans can now stream ‘Friend of Mine’ across all major platforms — and catch Rihanna’s return to the big screen when the Smurfs movie drops this July.
