AYEDNICOLE

By AyeDNicole | Music, Culture & Business Commentary

When I came across the conversation about GloRilla discussing how difficult it can be to find glam, I had one question: Hasn’t Fenty Beauty been out for years? And wasn’t GloRilla associated with Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty brand at one point?

Now, let’s talk business, because sometimes the solution isn’t about finding something new. It’s about knowing how to utilize the resources already available.

Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty in 2017, creating a beauty platform celebrated for its inclusive foundation shades and products designed for different skin tones. The beauty industry has continued expanding its offerings for Black women, particularly women with deeper complexions.

So when an established female rapper discusses struggling with glam, I have to ask: What exactly is the difficulty? Is it finding makeup products, finding qualified makeup artists, or building a dependable beauty team?

Those are three different business problems.

The Rihanna Connection

GloRilla has been publicly associated with Savage X Fenty, Rihanna’s lingerie brand. Although Savage X Fenty and Fenty Beauty are separate businesses, that association makes the conversation interesting.

If you’ve had proximity to Rihanna’s business ecosystem, why not explore the beauty resources, professional connections, and makeup expertise that could potentially support your career?

I’m not suggesting Rihanna personally owes anybody a makeup artist, a beauty contract, or unlimited access to her businesses. But when you’re operating at that level of entertainment, networking and resourcefulness should be part of your professional strategy.

Where Is the Label Investment?

This is where my treasury and business management perspective comes into play.

If you have label money, why not allocate some of that budget toward securing a professional glam team?

An artist’s image is an investment. Makeup artists, hairstylists, wardrobe professionals, and creative directors are part of the infrastructure that supports an entertainer’s brand.

Instead of continuously discussing the difficulty of finding glam, why not establish a beauty budget, hire qualified professionals, negotiate contracts, and create a reliable team?

And if the issue is finding artists who understand your facial features, skin tone, or creative vision, then make that part of the hiring criteria.

There are talented Black beauty professionals who deserve opportunities to work with major entertainers.

My Perspective as AyeDNicole

As an independent female rapper developing 4HIO Label and my broader business portfolio, I understand that beauty, presentation, and branding require planning.

I’ve expressed my interest in Savage X Fenty modeling and incorporating Fenty Beauty into my personal glam routine because I appreciate the intersection of beauty, femininity, and entrepreneurship.

I don’t believe a female rapper needs to be in a nightclub every night or constantly performing to maintain her image. Sometimes the smartest investment is developing your music, maintaining your health, building your brand, and having a dependable glam team when it’s time to work.

And that brings me back to GloRilla.

Girl, if Fenty Beauty has been available since 2017, and you’ve already had connections within Rihanna’s brand ecosystem, what exactly are we struggling to find?

If it’s the products, they’re available. If it’s the talent, invest in finding the right professionals. If it’s the consistency, that’s a management and scheduling responsibility.

Of course, having access to makeup doesn’t automatically mean finding a skilled, trustworthy artist is easy. But that’s precisely why entertainers need to build teams rather than depend on last-minute arrangements.

Final Thoughts

I respect the fact that beauty standards and professional glam can be challenging for Black women in entertainment. However, successful artistry also requires resource management.

At some point, the conversation needs to shift from what you cannot find to how you plan to invest in what you need.

Rihanna didn’t build Fenty Beauty simply for people to admire the brand. She helped expand access and representation in an industry where many consumers previously felt overlooked.

And from my perspective, when the resources exist, the money is available, and the industry connections are within reach, the next step should be execution.

Respectfully, get the glam budget together, build the team, and let the business handle business.

Editorial note: This article is an opinion response to the reported glam discussion. It does not establish the exact context of GloRilla’s remarks, her current financial arrangements, or any current contractual relationship with Fenty brands.