Yahoo News Rihanna To Play Smurfette In Brand New Smurfs Film And... Sorry, What?
Rihanna on stage at CinemaCon 2023
Rihanna made a surprise appearance at CinemaCon on Thursday with some even more surprising news – she’s set to lend her voice to a brand new Smurfs film.
The chart-topping singer and beauty entrepreneur will play Smurfette in a new live-action/animation hybrid, she confirmed on stage at the event.
Speaking about voicing the “little blue badass”, Rihanna – who is currently expecting her second child – told the audience she was excited as the role allowed her to “show up in my PJs in my third trimester”.
“I hope this gives me cool points with my kids one day,” she said, also joking: “I tried to get the Papa Smurf part, but it didn’t work out.”
The news quickly made its way online, and fans didn’t quite know what to make of it:
Who had Rihanna making her comeback as a Smurf on their 2023 bingo card?
Rihanna Will Star as Smurfette in the Smurfs Movie Alongside Writing and Performing Original Songs - IGN https://t.co/MJIS8iAeop— Hun-derrated (@Hun_derrated) April 27, 2023
Say What.... New Smurfs Movie And Rihanna Is Voicing Smurfette And Record Original Songs For It? Okay... I'm Curious https://t.co/dxUH5hAxVz
— DagiAkechi (@DagiAkechi) April 27, 2023
I did not have Rihanna playing Smurfette before she released an album on my pop culture bingo card https://t.co/tMrBcNJ9rM
— Caitlin Green (@caitiegreen) April 27, 2023
Rihanna as Smurfette… pic.twitter.com/DqjegKa2eRhttps://t.co/SzR5m4MVjA
— Seband'r (@hiveclownprince) April 27, 2023
This https://t.co/WKCojTEuZ4pic.twitter.com/raCn8UI2D5
— HARIZ (@harizsoeoed) April 27, 2023
I don't get surprised by much but truly was not expecting Rihanna at #CinemaConhttps://t.co/ITydujaCa3
— Brian Truitt (@briantruitt) April 27, 2023
Rihanna: I'm too busy to write and record new music
also Rihanna:https://t.co/7vOkXXFGjx— machine gun kelly reichardt (@LingoUnbound) April 28, 2023
rihanna's everywhere except in that studio 😭😭 https://t.co/oe8hqbuytJ
— ً (@junoneiric) April 28, 2023
She is running out of ideas on how to not Release her album atp https://t.co/By2O2tcqU1
— Nick 🦥🌅 (@XOTWOD_Nick) April 27, 2023
Rihanna's career is a rollercoaster and i love it https://t.co/qf9cfj2wy4
— Gibger 🇲🇽 🏳️🌈 BLM (@Gibger28) April 27, 2023
Gargamel better have my money 🤣🙏🏽🙄 https://t.co/IbbJnGZl1J
— ‹3 mads (@cryftie) April 27, 2023
smurfette voiced by bad bitches only. katy perry demi lovato and now RIHANNAAAAAA https://t.co/IiI2J2nB6X
— marylee (@toxicprophets) April 27, 2023
she's doing anything but releasing that damn album. i will be seated for this though https://t.co/Qfe9x0qX0H
— #4 debut btches (@gingermaraj) April 27, 2023
Of course, plenty of Rihanna’s devotees were quick to make the obvious joke that this could point to yet more delays to her new music – but there is apparently a silver lining.
As well as voicing Smurfette, RiRi will be producing the film, and will write and perform original music for it.
So at least we know we’ll be getting some new Rihanna music at some point before this Smurfs film in 2025… even if it is skewed through a Smurfette lens.
Smurfette
While best known for her musical output and cosmetics line, Rihanna has tried her hand at acting several times in the past, including the board game adaptation Battleship, the animated adventure Home and the star-studded heist film Ocean’s 8.
In recent history, Smurfette has been voiced by pop singers Demi Lovato and Katy Perry, the latter of whom is a friend of Rihanna’s.
