Famous singer and business owner Rihanna caught the world’s attention in early 2025. She posted a New Year countdown with her family and told her Instagram followers, “Y’all, I didn’t drink all year. I didn’t drink all year.” Find out why Rihanna was sober in 2024 and what she’s said about drinking and the future.

Rihanna’s Journey: Why She Chose Sobriety

Rihanna has always had a passion for music. She started recording demos in 2003 when she was just 15. By the time she was 17, she’d been discovered and signed by Jay-Z, and her first hit single, Pon de Replay, was charted successfully worldwide.

The singer grew up in the public eye. Like many other young artists, she had a reputation for partying when she was younger. She was often seen at major events and after-parties with a drink in her hand. She was also quite public about her love of marijuana.

She went on to establish several successful businesses, including the makeup brand Fenty (2017), the lingerie line Savage X Fenty (2018), a skin care company called Fenty Skin (2020) and a hair care brand called Fenty Hair (2024).

Rihanna began dating American rapper ASAP Rocky in 2021. She gave birth to their first son in 2022 and their second son in 2023.

Interestingly, Rihanna led such a party lifestyle that tabloids reported her friends immediately knew when she was pregnant. When the singer gave up smoking marijuana and drinking, everyone around her suspected pregnancy.

While she hasn’t announced why she was sober, it’s safe to assume that between all her business ventures and being a new mom to two young children, drinking is simply more difficult to do.

Another potential reason for Rihanna’s 2024 sobriety is her partner’s legal issues. ASAP Rocky was arrested in April 2022 for assault with a deadly weapon. In November 2023, a judge determined enough evidence existed to proceed with a trial.

ASAP Rocky spent much of 2024 in and out of courtrooms. Rihanna was often pictured by his side. He was found not guilty on February 18, 2025, but Rihanna likely spent much of 2024 worrying about her partner’s future and what it would mean for her children. In times of stress, it’s not healthy to turn to alcohol to cope. So, Rihanna not drinking was a healthy, mindful choice.

Rihanna Was Sober for 2024: How She Maintained a Sober Lifestyle in the Public Eye

Overall, it seems Rihanna’s making a concerted effort to be more conscious of what she says and does. Before the Met Gala, she talked about her outfit choice, saying, “I’ve done so many stupid things in my life — I’ve taken out my nipples and shown my panties. But as a mother and an evolved young woman — emphasis on young — I wouldn’t do that again.”

Overall, motherhood and age have calmed Rihanna. In interviews, she mentions that she knows she had a lively life before motherhood, but she can’t remember it. “You literally try to remember it — and there are photos of my life before — but the feeling, the desires, the things that you enjoy, everything, you just don’t identify with it because you don’t even allow yourself mentally to get that far, because… because it doesn’t matter.”

Even her New Year’s posts on social media, when she shared her sobriety anniversary, showed a quiet side. Rihanna celebrated with just a few people and was pictured wearing a gray bathrobe in a hotel room in New York.

Rihanna seems to have stuck to her sobriety by living a quieter, simpler life. In interviews, she often talks about being present for her children and loving motherhood. Additionally, the singer appears at fewer events.

Perhaps the key to her sobriety was not exposing herself to temptation. Attending fewer parties and events means fewer chances to be offered a drink. And when you’re busy running several businesses and being a mom to two toddlers, waking up hungover isn’t an option.

Since making that New Year’s announcement, Rihanna hasn’t said much about her sobriety. However, she made a video captioned New Year, New Me that highlighted the importance of her achievement. Some might also speculate that the caption means she intends to continue her sobriety into 2025, although the singer hasn’t confirmed that.

A Celebrity Trend in Sobriety

The last few years have seen a trend of celebrities coming forward about giving up drinking. Alongside Rihanna, famous people recently sober include actor Tom Holland, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and actor Lucy Hale.

Possible reasons so many celebrities are going dry include:

• Celebrities are often at risk of developing addictions due to the societal pressures of their jobs. Eventually, some recover from addiction and become sober.
• A societal shift has occurred around perceptions of alcohol. People used to believe a few drinks were harmless, but it’s now known that any amount of alcohol is harmful to health.
• A boom has taken place in the nonalcoholic beverage industry. Many celebrities are taking advantage of this popularity by releasing their own nonalcoholic drink products. Some examples include Tom Holland, Blake Lively, Bella Hadid and Katy Perry.

What Rihanna’s Sobriety Journey Teaches About Personal Growth

Rihanna has had a couple of years of big ups and downs. The birth of two children and the launch of several businesses are impressive. But transitioning to motherhood and dealing with a partner fighting criminal charges made life complicated, too.

Despite her past as a party girl, Rihanna didn’t turn to alcohol and substances to cope. This is especially notable because alcohol is everywhere, and it can be easy to use it as an escape.

Unfortunately, using drinking to cope with a hard day can lead to a slippery slope. An estimated 28.9 million Americans had alcohol use disorder in 2022. AUD comes with a long list of potential physical and mental health side effects. In some cases, it can even be life-threatening.

Rihanna’s story is a good example of personal growth. No matter your past, you can always change and create a new future. Clearly, the singer prioritized what she wanted to focus on in 2024, and she’s sharing her sobriety loudly and proudly because it’s a huge accomplishment.

Alcohol Treatment at Sunlight Recovery

If you’re struggling with alcohol use, take inspiration from Rihanna. Anyone can get sober. Trust your recovery journey to Sunlight Recovery, where we’ve helped hundreds of people get better. Contact us today to learn about our alcohol addiction treatment programs.