Rihanna began 2025 with an inspiring revelation: she remained alcohol-free throughout the entirety of 2024. The 36-year-old music and business mogul shared this milestone in her first Instagram post of the new year. In a celebratory video taken in a Manhattan hotel suite, Rihanna is seen radiating joy alongside her loved ones as the Times Square ball drop marks the arrival of 2025.

“Y’all, I didn’t drink all year! I didn’t drink all year!” she exclaims in the clip, her pride evident. The video caption, “New Year, New Me,” perfectly encapsulates her personal triumph. Joining her for the occasion were her partner, A$AP Rocky, and their two young sons, RZA, 2, and Riot, 1.

The announcement sparked a flurry of reactions from fans, many speculating about the possibility of new music. Comments flooded in, with one fan asking, “New album too, huh?” while another joked, “I thought this was the countdown to the album drop.” Despite the hopes, Rihanna has yet to confirm details about her highly anticipated ninth studio album, commonly referred to as R9.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri)

Sobriety and Focus Amid a Multifaceted Career

Rihanna’s last studio album, Anti (2016), garnered widespread acclaim and cemented her place as a music icon. Since then, she has concentrated on expanding her entrepreneurial ventures, including her revolutionary Savage X Fenty brand, which has transformed the beauty and fashion industries. Despite her focus on business, Rihanna has maintained her cultural relevance with moments like her electrifying 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance.

In 2024, Rihanna reportedly revisited her forthcoming album, reworking its direction while also supporting A$AP Rocky on his music projects. Though no official updates on R9 have been released, fans remain hopeful that her renewed focus on personal growth could inspire her return to the studio.

As Rihanna continues to chart her course through music, fashion, and family life, her openness about her sobriety adds another layer to her remarkable journey. Whether through her artistic ventures or personal milestones, she continues to captivate and inspire her global fanbase.