This Pop Star Was a SMURFS ‘Superfan’ Before Joining Movie’s Cast

Published: July 16, 2025

By India McCarty

Rihanna has been at the top of the charts for years, but it wasn’t until recently that she got to fulfill a longtime dream: being part of the SMURFS movie.

“Rihanna wanted to play Smurfette in the SMURFS movie,” director Chris Miller told The Hollywood Reporter. “She was pursuing it and wanting it. Talking to her, it became clear almost immediately like, ‘Oh, you have to be Smurfette. You have to bring your perspective, your own voice, your authenticity to the character.’”

Rihanna was just as excited about being part of the movie, telling Variety, “I’m a superfan of the Smurfs. I’ve always been a fan. I’m really excited for a new generation of Smurfs fans.”

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In addition to recording two songs for the movie’s soundtrack, Rihanna also lent a helping hand for the SMURFS background music. Miller explained the pop star was part of “a lot of needledrops, beautiful sonic landscapes.”

Xolo Maridueña, who is also part of the SMURFS cast, told THR that Rihanna’s involvement in the movie was “a huge part of the excitement in seeing what this movie was going to be,” as well as why he ultimately decided to sign on to the project.

“I’ve got little sisters, I’m always thinking of things that they can watch that they’ll understand,” Maridueña said. “The type of stuff I make is definitely not the type of stuff they appreciate, so something like SMURFS makes a lot of sense.”

SMURFS tells the story of the Smurfs, who live in a magic village hidden away in the forest. When their leader, Papa Smurf, is kidnapped, they must work together as they leave their home to rescue him.

“It was really important to approach the story like this was the first SMURFS movie that’s been made — something that would stand on its own,” Miller told Variety, shouting out screenplay writer Pam Brady for the “fantastic” treatment script she wrote.

Ramsey Naito, president of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, praised the creative team who brought SMURFS to the big screen, telling Variety, “I think when you’re refreshing a beloved franchise like THE SMURFS, the secret ingredient is love. And that love must come from people who truly care about the characters and their story.”

“Rihanna brought that passion, and it shines through in every part of the film. And our director, Chris Miller, who’s the hilarious voice behind Grumpy Smurf, captured the spirit of Peyo’s original drawings in the design language of this film which reveres his vision with admiration — that’s a lot of Smurf love,” he concluded.

The cast and crew’s love for THE SMURFS will surely shine through in this latest installment in the popular cartoon franchise.

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