There’s no question that Normani is a star. Formerly Fifth Harmony’s best dancer, she broke out with her debut single “Motivation” in 2019. Rihanna has clearly taken notice. First she asked Normani to dance at her Savage X Fenty runway show this September—if you missed the footage, please watch it on Amazon Prime Video ASAP. Now she’s signed Normani as Savage X’s first-ever brand ambassador. Chief among Normani’s ambassadorial duties is appearing in the brand’s holiday campaign, debuting exclusively here.

Just before heading into a recording session for her new album—yes, it’s coming in 2020!—Normani chatted to Vogue Runway about Rihanna, lingerie, and feeling empowered.

What does it feel like to be named Savage X Fenty’s first brand ambassador?

I was very excited and really honored, especially that the ask came from Rihanna herself. I know that this is her passion project, something she genuinely and wholeheartedly believes in and cares about, and the fact that she wanted me to be a part of that meant a lot to me. She is somebody I’ve looked up to for a very, very long time. She’s had so much influence on me in terms of pop culture and as a woman, but also in terms of how she’s able to do things gracefully while being cutting edge, being bold, pushing the needle, and changing the narrative.

I think that being a part of Savage X Fenty is an amazing opportunity for me to show women that I’m also here for them too. I love how inclusive the brand is. Being a part of the show and being able to have the opportunity to dance and do what I love was so powerful. It was great to be among so many amazing human beings who deserve to be celebrated because they’re all beautiful—all shapes, all sizes. The show represented everybody. I just love how inclusive [the brand] is and how it gives everybody the opportunity to feel sexy and beautiful and empowered—which is everything that I stand for as well. I thought it would be the perfect partnership.

The show in September was easily the most fun I’ve ever had at a fashion event. What was the energy like backstage?

Honestly, it was the most fun for me too, and I don’t think I’ve been to very many—I can’t even call it a fashion show. It was a full-on experience. It was a concert, it was very artistic. You could feel the energy, it was really infectious. I was really excited to be a part of it. The crowd and the models were supporting each other.