AceShowbiz - Rihanna is adamant she's not trying to cultivate a sex symbol image, despite her increasingly raunchy stage routines and the racy promo for her recent single "S&M". The "Umbrella" hitmaker caused a stir in February when her new track was accompanied by a video featuring the singer semi-naked, tying a man to a bed, and suggestively sucking a banana.

The film was banned in 11 countries, and radio bosses at the BBC were so concerned about "S&M" 's explicit lyrics, they obtained an edited version to play on air.

In the midst of the scandal, Rihanna courted even more controversy by performing a saucy routine at the Brit Awards in London, during which she ripped off a red dress to sing "S&M" in a skimpy black bodice.

But now the star has spoken out to insist she does not make a special effort to be outrageous and gain a "sex symbol" tag. She tells British magazine Fabulous, "Every time I hear that it's definitely flattering, but also uncomfortable. That's not a priority on my list, being a sex symbol or being overly sexy. I'm just a normal woman. I don't really focus on being a sex symbol."