Throwback Footage: 15 Year Old Rihanna Performs Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’

Long before she became one of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, Pop force Rihanna– like many an aspiring singer before and after her- found herself frequenting the stages of many a talent contest in a bid to flaunt her skills to anyone willing to pay attention.

Now check out this Throwback Footage of the ‘Music Of The Sun‘ beauty performing Mariah Carey‘s ‘Hero’ at a talent contest less than a year before she was signed to Island Def Jam by on/off mentor Jay Z and X Factor USA judge LA Reid, below…

Though it would be nice to say Ms. Fenty’s voice has come a long way since this performance, it is a shame to say that it hasn’t.

While it is unfair to expect someone as young as pre-record deal Rihanna to possess the vocal skill of someone with twice as much training as her, there is no question that the average person would not even dare to consider a career in music with a voice like hers.

Thus making her success all the more commendable, for what she has always lacked in discernible talent she has made up for in personality and undeniably good Pop music.

Here’s to hoping the next era of Ms. ‘Umbrella’s career sees her display the talent her label and fans remain adamant she has so much of.

Your thoughts?

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  1. RosaRubbel October 3, 2011

    This performance is a classic 😀

  2. Jess October 3, 2011

    Sam why did you post this? This is just mean!! Lmao!!

  3. CHillin October 3, 2011

    LOL you guys really dislike rihanna…I am from the islands myself..and we are extremely proud of Rihanna..not most people who grew up on an island their entire life can make such an accomplishment and become a mega superstar..though her voice isnt as strong as everyone elses..she has done what most of us has dreamed to do! GO RIHANNA!!!!

  4. Classy_Guy October 3, 2011

    Rihanna just made a fool of herself but I give her props for trying!! No one can sing a mariah carey song because she uses so many different techniques that only she can do!

  5. TWITTER.COM/Ayo_ronnie October 3, 2011

    Ch…..

  6. ThePleasurePrincipal October 3, 2011

    I don’t know what it is about TGJ that hates Rihanna so much. You will not say that you don’t because it’s evident! LOL I enjoy a lot of the content with this blog, but I understand you won’t like everyone but Rihanna has indeed come a long way professionally and vocally. Rihanna makes great music. Billboard has constantly proven this point and opinion. Her voice isn’t a Whitney or a Beyoncé but that’s not what she contributes to music, but she does greatly influence music today. Rihanna is a foreign talented act. Regardless of this performance. Are we gonna compare Britney’s lack of performance quality today for her past triumphs… No. Rihanna may not be the “powerhouse singer” many may expect from a successful singer but that obviously is not what people want to hear all the time… I don’t know if y’all have an inside joke behind the blog but I had to voice my opinion on the excessive bagging on Rihanna in… well… every post.

    Note: This comment is not personal. 🙂

  7. haters October 3, 2011

    DAMN YOU GUYS POST THIS EVERY MONTH! LET IT GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I swear this site just throws shade at every opportunity, I don’t see you posting throwbacks of bad performances of kelly from back in the day…..

    Thatgrapejuice staff, I know your trying to get that job by sucking up to Sam using the rihanna hate but Sam has posted this himself many a time, read the site to get on the site

    Kthankx Bye!

    HATERS

  8. YoSmoove October 3, 2011

    Rihanna’s voice isnt even that bad. She just needs to stop smoking and take some serious vocal training. I’m a big RIhanna fan, but I’m not delirious enough to not realize she could be so much better for her fans.

  9. KD October 3, 2011

    0_o @ that disappear note.

    S/N: Did she win?

  10. UMMM STOP October 3, 2011

    this video has not just re-surfaced… what was the point in posting it?

    what did she ever do to you for you to hate her so much?

  11. Nae October 3, 2011

    That was amazing! Hands down, Rihanna has the one of the best singing voices in the industry. Her harmonies, runs, falsettos…everything was done to perfection! It’s very rare to have a talented women in the industry these days.

    😆

  12. Rihanna October 3, 2011

    yo, why is this website always dissing Rihanna.. shes like one of the biggest stars of music right now. haters.

  13. hate October 3, 2011

    Why so much hate well the industry are talking bad about Rihanna even to the point at what really happened 2 1/2 years ago. There is alot of hate toward Rihanna out there and are being covered up by paid reviews which writes good things about her instead of the truth about what people really are saying.

  14. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    Why would you post this…you already posted this like 4 yrs. ago !

  15. James227 October 3, 2011

    LMFAO

  16. MissImpartial October 3, 2011

    She sounds better there than she does nowadays. She should have not gone for Mariah but it is not as bad as you make it out. In some parts she is quite good. But we do know she was singed because of her looks rather than her singing ability. And not everyone who can sing has the star quality.

  17. beyonce adele fan October 3, 2011

    LMFAO…riri girl u still is a mega superstar lol you are NOW more relevant than the original singer of the song yeah I said it!!! I didn’t say more talented I simply said more RELEVANT…

  18. MissImpartial October 3, 2011

    @POP ROYALTY

    You should at least give us a warning if you put up pics like that. Lol

  19. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    She may not have the best vocals out there…but she is pretty unique 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 !
    But still she is a MEGASTAR !
    Hell Madonna (not hating) didnt have the best vocals but still her career expanded for 30 + plus years !

  20. aisha aguilera keys October 3, 2011

    LOL! Sam u’re CRUEL! Horrible singing, but notice that the audience applauds, so Riri blindly believing that she could sing was prompted at an early stage by her deaf audience.

    “there is no question that the average person would not even dare to consider a career in music with a voice like hers.” – ROFLMFAO! C-R-U-E-L!

    Singing gets it ugly peak starting 2:17. Really awful. But as u said Sam, she makes “undeniably good Pop music”.

  21. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    And to the person who said that Rihanna`s time is up….yeah you know who you are !….Her time is not up swettie pie she is still going strong no matter what OKAY !

  22. THEFASHIONISTACHIC October 3, 2011

    MY BABY FOUND HER WAY!! DIDN’T SHE?

  23. KAT DELUNA FAN October 3, 2011

    OMG TGJ is so shady llove

    HAHHHHHAAJHH LOOK AT THE GOAT YOU STAN FOR 😆 I CANT

  24. James Al October 3, 2011

    S-H-A-D-E!!!!!!!

  25. Christian October 3, 2011

    All I can do is just laugh at this performance. LMFAO!!!!

  26. Auntie Jackie October 3, 2011

    Okay TGJ. We know she can’t sing, but being able to sing is not what she’s about. People lie to themselves about her talent so they don’t have to admit latching on to a carefully crafted, contrived image. We get it already, but it’s not going to stop her train, because people are STUPID!

  27. @TEAMFOXYDONDIVA October 3, 2011

    wack ass bajan w**** , no wonder why your just a plain single selling w****! rihanna sit dowwwwwwwne . “Countdown ” is about to take over b****!

  28. Myrl22 October 3, 2011

    that wasnt her best, than again she wasnt trained yet. but to say she hasnt gotten better is an understatement. Im not a fan (or let say i stop being a fan after she change from good girl to what her image is now) but im not a hater. the girl is getting her money the best way she can. She did get better vocally tho. She is not a stong singer but she is better now than she was back then. Still not a fan.

  29. Hassan October 3, 2011

    Sammm! Why aint u posted Mariahs new pics with JD, and her new pic while she waas jogging ai?

  30. Pop Royalty (RUDE BOY) October 3, 2011

    @MISSIMPARTIAL :

    LOL 😆 , I will consider doing just that next time 😉

  31. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    @ Pop Royalty HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH LOL !

  32. Madonnalover October 3, 2011

    SAM. get on it.

  33. the kiddz October 3, 2011

    No good can come from this.

    @Pop Royalty

    You are such a child. Not everyone is going to like Rihanna and sometimes they’ll go out of their way to show it, but all you’re doing is proving how insecure you are. What, you can’t handle someone’s opinion of your darling sunshine?

  34. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    Superbowl Halftime Game ~~~~~~~~~~~~>>> I DONT KNOW ANY THING ABOUT THAT !

  35. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    @ The Kiddz Hmmmmmmmmm sounds like your a hater to me !

  36. Pop Royalty (RUDE BOY) October 3, 2011

    @JAMIR21 :

    😉

  37. Madonnalover October 3, 2011

    SAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM POST THAT S*** NOW!

  38. the kiddz October 3, 2011

    @Jamir21

    Of course. Someone who doesn’t agree with asinine comments is a hater. Go figure.

  39. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    @ the kiddz
    yes

  40. i&i(yardie) October 3, 2011

    Of all the mean things TGJ could do, this is the worse. LMAO!!

  41. Pop Royalty (RUDE BOY) October 3, 2011

    @THE KIDDZ :

    YES ! I’m a 4 Y.o child !

    How did you know that ?! where did you saw my face ?! 😯

    Where’s my Teddy bear ?! 😆

    look bro , I’m free to do whatever ! and everyone here will deal ! And where did I say that you all have to like Rihanna ?! 😯

    btw ! BEYONCE STANS do more than that and shade other artists and your wise ass say nothing to them ! So please save your own advices for yourself.

    B Y E

  42. MichaelAngelo October 3, 2011

    I’ve heard worse

  43. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    @ The Kiddz I am a child too !!!
    I like gummie bears, stuffed animals, chuck e cheeses, sesame street, and SPONGEBOB !!!
    🙂
    I have a pet bear named Mr. Fenty 🙂 LOL
    He likes to smoke crack and do other drugs !
    He has other cubs from other bears !
    This what he looks like !
    http://islandista.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/ronald-fenty.jpg

  44. DanityKiWi October 3, 2011

    She hit every note….EXCEPT the right ones.

  45. the kiddz October 3, 2011

    @Pop Royalty and your other account JAMIR21

    I didn’t call you a child, I called you childish as in Of, like, appropriate to a child, silly and immature.

    And I’ve told every stan base, not just Rihanna stans. I can see that this site has become nothing but a breeding ground for delusional fools such as yourself. Oh well, I wish you and all your identities a speedy recovery.

  46. Pop Royalty (RUDE BOY) October 3, 2011

    @SAM :

    Post that Madonna s*** h** !

    Or do u wanna see me shading the hell out of KR ?! 😉 ! you know my shade is TOXIC :mrgreen:

    You choose …

  47. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    @ The Kiddz
    We are not childish we are MATURE !

  48. Pop Royalty (RUDE BOY) October 3, 2011

    @THE KIDDZ :

    I don’t have other accounts .. do u think I need to do it like cheap h*** who can have 13467 usernames and post a comment per username ?!

    No , I do not do that s*** ..

    Tbh , you just need to STFU ! I am not interested to reply to you ! But to just say I’m a childish and immature that’s prove you don’t listen to or understand your own advice !

    And yes I am a Fool delusional child ! Do u have a problem with that ?! can you do anything about it ?!
    Clearly NO , so

    Don’t reply to me again ! I am not interested in your conversation and your wise know-it- all ass !

    C H E E R S 😆

  49. ARE YOU SERIOUS? October 3, 2011

    LMAOOOOOOOOOOO

    SHE IS A MESS!!

    LORD AND SAVIOR GODGA WOULD SING CIRCLES AROUND THIS GIRL

    OMG THAT NOTE AT THE END!!! LMAOOO!!!

    SMH!!

  50. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    I really dont want this new album to be released yet !
    I am still enjoying the LOUD era !
    because We Found Love could have been part of LOUD because it was a left over track !
    But oh well…..:( 🙁
    Rihanna should have taken a break *maybe about six or seven months* for 2012 !

  51. Pop Royalty (RUDE BOY) October 3, 2011

    @JAMIR21:

    I don’t agree with your last comment ..

  52. MissImpartial October 3, 2011

    @Jamir
    It does not feel that it is a new era this time around. How can you release an album if you are still touring with the Loud album.

  53. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    @ Pop Royalty Why dont you !
    @ Missimpartial Yeah like you are still touring and stuff !

  54. MissImpartial October 3, 2011

    @Jamir
    I am looking forward to hear the rest of the stuff but I hope the songs have different sounds. I want another Breaking Dishes song. Love that one. What is your fave Rihanna song or album????

  55. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    @ Missimpartial
    Yeah me too !
    My favorite Rihanna song is probably What`s My Name !? and my favorite album is Loud !

  56. MissImpartial October 3, 2011

    @Jamir
    When did you start supporting Rihanna?? Just curious.

  57. JAMIR21: I LOVE RIHANNA, BRITNEY, BEYONCE, NICKI AND GAGA October 3, 2011

    @ Missimpartial
    Since 2006 !

  58. Aryo October 3, 2011

    haha, no rihanna stans are here, lol, i think the reason is pretty obvious lol

  59. I’ma have to send her to her maker October 3, 2011

    I agree w/ chillin. You make a good point and I like rihanna’s voice. She has definitely paved way for other island girls out there to live their dreams. And her voice is honestly not that bad. But she definitely screwed up mc’s song BIG TIME here. I also don’t like some of her immature stans who know nothing about real singing and bash other artists. So yeah!

  60. Tiburones5 October 3, 2011

    THANK GOODNESS FOR PROTOOLS!!! THIS SUCKS BALLS… OR SOUNDS LIKE SHE HAS AT LEAST 2 IN HER MOUTH. UGH, WHAT A “C***” JUST LIKE HER NECKLACE SAYS.

  61. ..baa, “I sound just like Mariah when I sing” October 3, 2011

    Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha….WTF was that? I knew you guys felt a certain way about Rihanna but DAMN, THIS WAS JUST MEAN!! LOL 🙂 Poor MC, girl I’m sorry for you….

  62. It’s Official October 3, 2011

    authors of this blog are simply laughable paranoid idiots. it’s funny to read!

  63. lAX October 3, 2011

    Hearrrrrrr me Rihanna knows this
    A quitter never win &
    a winner never quits
    She has come a verrrrrry long waaaays indeed
    As CB SINGS “lOOK @ ME NOW”

  64. lAX October 3, 2011

    In the grand analysis the very people who wishes that rih would FAIL or
    always giving her Mad Passionate love, Always and helping to INSPIRES Me and
    all of those over 45Million Face book Followers to LOVE RIHANNA EVEN MORE!

  65. Onyx October 3, 2011

    Rihanna is very talented, go girl.

  66. THE UNIVERSITY OF GAGA October 3, 2011

    Oh look,My delusional counterpart is back…..

  67. KWAME October 3, 2011

    RIHANNA CAN’T CATCH A BREAK WITH YOU LOT..SMH

  68. TYLER October 3, 2011

    she dont sound that bad. she has come a loooooooooong way tho. i find it funny how most of you have no money lmfaoo and survive on food stamps and unemployment and even work at mcdonalds. while rihanna eating good

    all these celebs yall hate on

    keri hilson
    rihanna
    katy perry etc. all them enjoying their life and dont even know yall exist lol while yall posting pics of your clothes off on facebook or eating ramen noodles . lmfaoooooo

  69. MissImpartial October 3, 2011

    @THE UNIVERSITY OF GAGA
    Lol who do you mean?????

  70. Mike October 3, 2011

    You guys serisouly Hate Rihanna……At the end of the day she is still successful. GET OVER IT

  71. VA STAND UP!!! October 3, 2011

    LMAO! TGJ ya’ll are so wrong! This video is so old, I saw this like 3 years ago and I am more than sure ya’ll have posted this before! Ya’ll just don’t give up! Lol!

    The worst part is that she actually won! So I guess that means that everyone else in the pageant must have REALLY sucked OR that her looks is what got her the title…..I’m gonna go with the ladder. Her looks seem to a help her out a lot.

    I can’t be mad at her though, a chick with a limited amount of talent doing so big is quite an accomplishemt. *shrugs*

  72. oloo October 3, 2011

    she cannot sing that was a hot ass mess ! her voice is very average just like beyonces.

  73. LADY GAGA SPEAKS October 3, 2011

    that was super wack how did she gets signed that was hottttt trash!

  74. MISHKA October 3, 2011

    LMAO!

    That’s low, TGJ, Why would you bring out this old sh%t lol

    Forget about her vocals, what always got me is the way she was working her finger, like Mariah always does. Like, the gurl thought she was killing it LMAO.

    Rihanna , if you go to the club tonight, request “Look at me now” alright?

  75. VA STAND UP!!! October 3, 2011

    Myrl22
    October 3, 2011 at 10:30 am
    that wasnt her best, than again she wasnt trained yet. but to say she hasnt gotten better is an understatement. Im not a fan (or let say i stop being a fan after she change from good girl to what her image is now) but im not a hater. the girl is getting her money the best way she can. She did get better vocally tho. She is not a stong singer but she is better now than she was back then. Still not a fan.

    —————————————————————————————–

    Agreed!

  76. VA STAND UP!!! October 3, 2011

    Auntie Jackie
    October 3, 2011 at 10:27 am
    Okay TGJ. We know she can’t sing, but being able to sing is not what she’s about. People lie to themselves about her talent so they don’t have to admit latching on to a carefully crafted, contrived image. We get it already, but it’s not going to stop her train, because people are STUPID!

    ————————————————————————————-

    THIS!!!

  77. Robier October 3, 2011

    Bwaahaaaaaaa whew I needed that laugh. Omg

  78. Interesting……… October 3, 2011

    Posting this was just mean…..poor girl can’t catch a break with you guys.

    Glad she is pushing that last album out so she can renegotiate her contract. Hopefully she will have more creative control, money and even more buisness ventures. I would assume thats why she is releasing so many albums.

    I still enjoy her music though. Like to listen to it when I work out 🙂

  79. Bey’knight October 3, 2011

    ch…. this chick is a laughing stock

  80. Army Of Queen Of R&B Aaliyah & Queen Bee ! (ISTAN4Aaliyah&Kim) Who Da F*** Want War ??? !!!!!! October 3, 2011

    Lmfaoooo @ the Shade Sam But Anyways Her Vocals Havent Improved At ALL But Rih Rih is Still A Bad B**** !

  81. THE UNIVERSITY OF GAGA October 3, 2011

    @MissImpartial

    I mean @Are You Serious? up there….

  82. perhaps October 3, 2011

    I love Riri…I can respect this effort.

  83. JohnVidal October 3, 2011

    Forget about her vocals, what always got me is the way she was working her finger, like Mariah always does. Like, the gurl thought she was killing it LMAO
    ————————————————————————————

    This LOLOL

  84. lAX October 3, 2011

    HI,,,Haters get yo laught on because its all going around and around and my money and support is behind rihanna hands down. When you or looking at the
    negative and not the positive in ones life there is no way that you will ever see the “BEST IN RIHANNA” But that is okay,,,,Because think about it all of the S***
    that has been hurled at her noe of it has STUCK!!!!!!! Making her a shoe in for steady GROWING AND CULTIVATING A THICK SKIN,,,,And that us what you need when theres so many who has fallen by the way side and RIHANNA Is still in the game, and shes one of the FARORITES TO WIN, HANDS DOWN. I would put rihanna aganist about half of all of them under 30 in the ENTERTAINMENT FIELD, AND YOU BET YO ASS SHES HOLDING IT DOWWWWWWN. Check her credit and do a comparision, HATERRRRRRRS!
    PS,,,,,,,@ THE KIDDDDDDD,,,,Look bytch,,,no one is holding a fukkkkkkkkkg gun to
    any ones head to make them LOVE RIHANNA BYTCH,,,If you do not like RIHANNA That is your choice, no one and i mean not a single PERSON IS HOLDING A GUN TO YOUR magggggggot head to make you lovvvve RIHANNA,,,,gtho,,,With
    that b/s,,You and the people who tries to shade her or FOREVER AND A DAY HELPING TO MAKE THE might rihannasnavy jobs eaiser, and i love your m***** ass toooooooooo,,,,,NAVY all day every DAYYYYYYYYYYY!

  85. lAX October 3, 2011

    Mariah,,,Is a iconic legend and many aspires to be like her and she and other legends do not sweat the small stuff like some of these kids who still have the milk taste on their breath and the diaper print still on their butts. Rihanna has come a very long ways and shes still learning. It was not very long ago when
    NEYO Was helping rihanna learn how to speak english and her unique voice
    is one of the things that many people admire about her.

  86. Josh October 3, 2011

    I like the accent/vocal inflections during the first half. The second half is just a mess vocally.

  87. DTG October 4, 2011

    Just goes to show how much of a fraud Rihanna is. She was plucked off the street simply because some producer decided she had a “look” and that he could “shape” her into something for fast profit. It could have just as easily been anybody. She is illegitimate and very untalented.

  88. Brian B October 4, 2011

    oh Lord that was terrible lmao

    But the thing about this girl is that she can actually sing, like she has a voice in there somewhere, it wasnt made for power ballads or songs like run this town. But I hear songs like skin and firebomb and she actually sounds perfect on them, so I can see why she is at least a musician. She shouldnt be tryna front like she can hit the big notes, oh man that was brutal

  89. reneetheg October 5, 2011

    her best performance yet.

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