RIHANNA
May 10, 2007 · NEW YORK CITY
Photograph by Martin Schoeller

Only one month before her hit single ''Umbrella'' climbed to the top of the pop charts, the Bajan singer scaled a ladder outside a midtown Manhattan loft for this leggy portrait. ''She was very playful, very youthful, up for whatever,'' says Schoeller, who decided to bring the 19-year-old star outside after an indoor session. Although Rihanna sported a number of different looks, the photographer was most impressed by how comfortable the songstress seemed in her own skin.