Can someone explain how Rihanna is a more "natural" performer meanwhile at the same time you're all saying that she's improving 7 years into her career?

That makes absolutely no sense. If she were a natural performer, she wouldn't have had to work so hard at getting there.
Anyway, the answer is Gaga. She has stage presence and that's evident through the praise of the millions who have seen her live and the large amount of legends who have also praised her for the same. And you hear the same story every time, which is that the highlight of her shows are when she sits at a piano and sings her heart out. The gimmicks excuse is not even worthy of an argument.
With Rihanna, all you get is catchy songs.
