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Beyonce Vouched For Rihanna When L.A. Reid Thought Teairra Mari Was The Star

Rihanna and The Clara Lionel Foundation Host 2nd Annual Diamond Ball

Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty

According to L.A. Reid’s new memoir, it’s Beyonce’s approval that catapulted Rihanna to success.

“I didn’t know she was a singer or anything, just a pretty girl standing outside somebody’s office. Then Jay Z burst into my office,” the music mogul revealed to Billboard about his first encounter with Bad Gal Ri Ri.

“The funny thing about Rihanna’s success was that we signed two girls at that time — Rihanna and a lovely young lady named Teairra Marí,” he continued.

Although Teairra Mari is more known now for her Love And Hip Hop: LA fights, once upon a time she was the sultry singer belting “Make Her Feel Good.”

Reid went on to explain that although most of the attention was on Mari, it was a Beyonce nod that gave Rihanna her big break.

“A bell went off for me, however, when, after [a label] showcase, Beyoncé came up to me and said, ‘That Rihanna girl. She’s a beast,” he writes.

Well, of course Queen Bey was right. And the rest is Pop history….

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