A girl like ... Rihanna.

You shake it to "SOS," and sing loud and proud to "Pon de Replay." When GL spoke to Rihanna, she'd just wrapped a New York show and was jetting to Italy and Portugal. But the beauty from Barbados isn't just touring her heart out. Rihanna was ravishing at the MTV Movie Awards. She pulls a cameo in Bring It On 3. And she's the face of two new ad campaigns. Hey, the girl has even shared a stage with Gwen Stefani. Now, GL has Rihanna on the line....

GL: Hi, Rihanna. Your new album A Girl Like Me is really taking off, Hew does it feel?

R: Oh, my gosh, I cannot even explain. Like, it really caught me off guard. When it got to No. 1, I was like, what?! Just shock. But I was like, OK, good, that's nice.

Is it sinking in for you now?

Honestly, not really. I think that's because I'm going all the time. I can't stop and enjoy it, really.

What was it like to tour with Gwen?

That was really good. It was such a great experience for me. love Gwen. I've never had a tour like that. That was my first one, and she's amazing. I loved her performances, as well. I loved her audience, even when I performed. The audience was great.

So you wore a big fan before you went on tour with her?

Oh, yeah, a big fan.

Tell us about the Nike commercial

The Nike commercial was shot in L.A. They were looking for a young, strong female to represent their women's fitness line. They called me, and I was thrilled to team up with them so we shot the video. It was a Nike "Rockstar Workout Hip-Hop" video, which you can see on nikewomen.com.

Any other endorsement deals?

Yes, actually, I just did one for Clinique. For the Clinique Happy perfume. You happen to be the first person to print it or talk about it.

Wow, things are really happening for you.

The only thing I've done so far is record a song that was for the commercial. It was written for the perfume.

When did you know you were born to be onstage as a singer?

I just knew that I loved music, and I developed a passion for it. I really, really wanted to become a singer from a very young age. And then, eventually, I started singing and writing and stuff. One day, I met a producer who took me to New York to do recordings. So we recorded a dome, sent it to two labels, and the first person to call back was really enthusiastic about it. So they had an audition for me, which was really scary.

How do you psych yourself up for something that huge?

Oh, I really don't know how I did it. I woke up really early just to try on different outfits and make sure my hair and makeup was right. It was crazy.

Do you miss Barbados?

I really do. I miss my family and friends, every last one of them. We call each other every day.

The last time I was home was earlier this year, but I didn't even get to my house. I just performed for my album launch party. I wasn't even there for 24 hours.

Being in New York must create major culture shock for you.

Kind of, but I always used to come to New York every year. So I kind of knew what it was like, but it is a lot different because I am here for a specific purpose--fulfilling my dream and starting a career.

Do you have a boyfriend?

No, I don't, but I'm sure I could make some time if I wanted to.

Do you have a celebrity crush?

Kind of. Adrian Grenier from HBO's Entourage.

He's so cute! Have you met him?

No, I'd love to. I'd probably be speechless.

Tell us about Bring It On 3: All or Nothing.

I was in a really small part. I played myself, and I went to the cheerleading competition and that was fun.

Do you have any famous friends?

Yes, Amanda Bynes. I love her. I met her because I had to interview her for the MTV Movie Awards Pro-Show. Then, we sat at the same table for the Fashion Awards in New York, and she is so funny. Her personality is very sarcastic.

Do you have any other famous friends?

Chris Brown is one of my good friends. He worked with me on my album. On my second, he actually wrote a single.

You have a couple of writing credits on your album, do you plan to to more songwriting?

Absolutely, I would love to.

Have you written any songs recently? Um. Working on a few. Not done though. Just coming up with stuff and thinking of it is hard.

I think it helps when you have a guy.

Yeah, I know, right?

So many of the songs on your album are packed with girl references. Did you deliberately pick girly songs?

It just happened. That's the kind of artist I am. I am a girl, and I can only make music from our perspective.

Do you listen to your own CD a lot?

Sometimes. Sometimes I just need to. Other times, when I don't know what else to play, I will just listen to mine.

How has your life most changed since making the album?

My privacy. I don't have any of that anymore. I've grown up a lot because I have to think like a woman now, and I have a lot of responsibility. I don't let things upset me anymore. I see life in a much bigger picture.