LA Reid Says Beyonce Cosigned Rihanna + Talks Teairra Mari’s Doomed Music Career

Years before Rihanna became a certified pop star, she and Teairra Mari were both signed to Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam at the same time.

Teairra Mari was the one they were pushing with more confidence at the time because they didn’t feel Rihanna had what it required to become commercially successful.

Beyonce saw things completely differently.

LA Reid tells Billboard:

“The funny thing about Rihanna’s success was that we signed two girls at that time — Rihanna and a lovely young lady named Teairra Mari. We had an in-house company showcase and Beyoncé happened to be there with Jay Z. Teairra Mari, Rihanna, a four-girl group called Black Butterfly and Ne-Yo performed. At the label, we thought

“Teairra Mari would be the big star. We spent more time on her, did more work on her, paid more attention to her. Rihanna already had a hit with ‘Pon De Replay,’ but we still thought it was the other girl. A bell went off for me, however, when, after the showcase, Beyoncé came up to me.

“That Rihanna girl,” she said, ‘She’s a beast.'”

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32 comments

  1. I thought people realized Rihanna became the bigger star because Teairra had a nasty attitude and wasn’t willing to work as hard? Say what you want about Rihanna, but she’s very driven and works very hard. She deserves all the success she has.

  2. Bey could recognize a star when she sees one. Rihanna, just like Bey, has that It factor. You just pay attention to her.

  3. Teairra is the better singer but she doesn’t have the crossover look. Basically she ain’t light skinned.

  4. Some people just have that “it” factor I can’t describe it but Rihanna has it. I did hear that Teairra was difficult to work with and had a bad attitude and that’s on her but I still feel like they didn’t promote her right. With that said Teairra still could have made it if she had the drive now she stuck doing reality tv shows and she’s even more unlikable.

  5. Everything worked out the way it was supposed to. No one was going to hold Rihanna back. She sets goals and makes things happen. She has the drive it takes to be where she is. Teairra doesn’t.

  6. Teairra’s a-s was lazy and she started feeling herself way too soon. That’s one thing about success. Sh-t won’t pop off if you ain’t humble.

    1. yep she started acting like she was a celebrity way too early. rihanna put in the work touring mall and fairgrounds. rihanna wanted it more.

  7. I’m a loyal BeyHiver, and I didn’t always like Rihanna because her stans were always trying it but I respect her a lot and I can say Bey had it right. Rihanna is a star and it was just meant to be. You can’t expect to be successful in the music industry if you don’t want to put in the work. Like right now Teairra is on a reality show a lot of people watch, but see how she’s too lazy to promote herself and put out some new music with all the buzz LHHH gets? She’s lazy. And she ruined her own chances. Rihanna is always working. Beyonce too. Oh yeah, Happy New Year y’all. I missed all of you. 🙂

  8. I know this is off topic, but did anyone see that hating a-s Wendell Williams show today and how she just disrespected the hell out of Beyonce while parsing Adele..I can’t wait for someone to put her sh@t out there. She also referred to Blue Ivy as “that Blue Ivey”..smdh

    1. I never watch Wendy Williams but I’m not surprised by her comments because she absolutely hates successful black women. She has always talked down on successful black women while praising non black women.

    2. Wendy is jealous. The only women she can ever be happy for are white women. If Mariah wasn’t half black, she’d kiss her a-s too.

      1. Told no lies. J.lo can do no wrong. Wendy’s comments were jus straight up distrspectful. The dumas audience members were clapping and I really don’t understand how black people support her..I was actually talking to the dam TV laying her out..ugh

  9. See , Jay Z taught Bey sooo much about how to dominate the business and come into her own , she’s said that basically .One thing I can truly say about Jay , is that he’s an ultimate hustler and brilliant man.It was Jay Z and Jay Brown who believed in Rih first and the most , I’m sure he and Bey talked about Rih’s potential and Bey agreed .Rihanna is truly one a kind , I’ve never seen a Super Pop Star that’s so down to earth , uncut ,relatable, layered , fashionable ,and fascinating like her . I’m very proud to have two beautiful black women be so successfully dominating . Love it !

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