Nigerian Afropop sensation, Ayra Starr, has opened up about the surreal experience of meeting her idol, global music icon Rihanna, revealing that the feeling was nothing short of a dream come true.
In a candid chat with ETalk TV, the ‘Rush’ crooner could hardly contain her excitement as she reflected on their first encounter, during which the Barbadian superstar revealed she was a fan of Ayra’s music.
“She [Rihanna] is such an amazing person. To be honest, it [meeting her] still feels like a dream. I love her so much,” Ayra gushed. “People always say, ‘never meet your idols,’ but I’m so glad I met mine because she’s just an amazing person. And the fact that she loves my music; I’m my favourite artist’s favourite artist.”
Ayra Starr went on to describe the Fenty mogul as the perfect role model and a constant source of inspiration, especially for young women in music and beyond.
“She’s such an amazing artist, an amazing woman, an amazing person in general; somebody to look up to. I know I chose a great role model, and being able to be around her, I usually don’t know what to do with myself. When I get nervous around her, I try to make unnecessary jokes,” she added with a laugh.
For Ayra, the emotional high point of the meeting wasn’t just being in the presence of her idol but realizing that admiration was mutual. The Mavin Records star expressed her deep desire to collaborate with Rihanna in the near future, a move that would no doubt send shockwaves through the global music industry.
As Ayra Starr continues to rise on the global stage, her connection with Rihanna serves as both validation and motivation, a full-circle moment that symbolizes the new wave of Afrobeats artists conquering international hearts.
