WATCH: Rihanna gives an inspiring speech to Harvard students

She was there to accept the Humanitarian of the Year award

Rihanna accepts her award at Harvard
Published 1st Mar 2017

Taking a break from performing, pop star Rihanna was at Harvard University yesterday to accept their Humanitarian of the Year award.

The singer gave an inspirational speech to a packed room which could have been mistaken for one of her sold-out gigs.

Rihanna started her speech by saying, "So I made it to Harvard..." to which the gathered students reacted with a massive cheer.

She then continued,

"I never thought I'd be able to say that in my life, but it feels good!"

In her seven-minute long speech the singer touched on some personal experiences of being a humanitarian saying,

"We're all human and we all just want a chance.

"You don't have to be rich to help somebody, you don't gotta be famous, you don't even have to be college-educated..." sic said Rihanna, who never finished high school.

The 'Work' singer started her career at the age of 17 and missed out on graduating from high school as her music career took off, however she joked, "it's true, I might come back!" To which the crowds once again cheered.

WATCH: Rihanna's full speech at Harvard University

Rihanna is involved with a number of charities and set up her own at the age of 18 called the Believe Foundation to help terminally ill children. In 2012 she also set up the Clara Lionel Foundation to help impoverished around the world.