Rihanna chose music to escape.
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Celebrating Black History Month: 16 Seriously Inspirational Success Stories

2. Rihanna chose music to escape.
Rihanna had a tough upbringing that was marred by her father's addiction to alcohol and drugs, as well as her parents marital issues. She also struggled with crippling headaches as a teenager - a condition she attempted to hide from friends. However she turned to music as a release from her troubles and after securing an audition at 15, her life changed. She is now one of the biggest female artists in the world and continues to push boundaries within music and female empowerment. Picture: PA