Rihanna: ‘I’ve Felt Like an Outsider Since 1st Day of School’

Singer Rihanna attends the premiere of Twentieth Century Fox And Dreamworks Animation's "HOME" at Regency Village Theatre on March 22, 2015 in Westwood, California — Singer Rihanna attends the premiere of Twentieth Century Fox And Dreamworks Animation’s “HOME” at Regency Village Theatre on March 22, 2015 in Westwood, California

*During a press conference for her new DreamWorks animated feature “Home,” Rihanna spoke about the film’s themes of facing fears, and acceptance of others – and then opened up about how she can personally relate.

“I have felt like an outsider ever since my first day at school,” said the 27-year-old, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in Saint Michael, Barbados.

In “Home,” she plays Gratuity “Tip” Tucci, a teen in desperate search of her mother (Jennifer Lopez) after they were inadvertently separated when an alien Boov race inhabits the earth and relocates all humans to Australia. A rogue Boov named Oh (Jim Parsons) helps Tip with her search, but makes things catastrophically worse when he accidentally hits “reply all” to an email.

Below, RiRi – who moved to New York at 17 after signing a deal with Def Jam in 2005 – explains why she identifies so personally with Tip having to adjust to new surroundings.