Rihanna Speaks Out
For the first time since the incident with Chris Brown in February, Rihanna is sharing her story.
In an exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer on “Good Morning America” and “20/20,” Rihanna tells Diane why she decided to finally speak out and what it was like to realize how her situation effects young girls who are victims of abuse.
Watch a clip from Rihanna’s interview at abcnews.com and the full interview on 20/20, Friday at 10/9c.
Find out Wendy’s thoughts on Rihanna’s interview and Chris Brown.
Tell Us: What do you think about Rihanna’s interview?
If you are in an abusive relationship, you don’t have to be alone. Here are a few resources where you can get help.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit, ndvh.org. For the hearing impaired call, 1-800-787-3224.
Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-548-2722
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474 or log on to, loveisrespect.org
Related Links
Saturday November 14th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Wendy –
You and others have misunderstood the part about “going back”. to the man. She and Sawyer were talking about general averages for abused women (Diane said it was 7-8, Rihanna said 9). She was not talking about herself – Chris didn’t attack her nine times.
Please don’t get facts twisted. But I commend you for seeing both sides, and for seeing that Chris is at heart a good person, with flaws. Very nice interview – wish it could have gone on as long as the 20/20 one.
Friday November 13th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
The REAL truth is that Rihanna DID hit Chris first. She got upset about the text message and starting hitting and scratching him while he was driving. He was just trying to stop her at first and the incident got escalated. When a woman jumps on a man she better either run or be ready to get a beat down. I know because I have been the perpetrator before but I know how to get away from him before he gets really mad. Not to say hitting a woman is right, but a woman should not hit a man first either. She needs anger management herself.
Wednesday November 11th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Wendy I love your show just to start off but I don’t want to get off of subject. I love Chris Brown and also Rhianna. They both have great music. I believe that maybe “yes”, Rhianna did have something to do with how severe the beating was, but that also doesn’t mean it was ok for him raising his hand to her. To Rhianna, I feel like she is a very strong woman, and that she sounded very mature and handled that interview like a lady. She didn’t try to put him down, and I felt like she spoke about him better than alot of woman who have been beaten would. As for Chris, I just wish him the best of luck. He is still young and is very talented, and I feel like his personal life should “for the most part” be personal. He deserves another chance (as far as his career goes). For a man his age taking FULL responsibility the way he did, and apologizing on countless occassions, he proved himself to me that maybe he is a changed man. I wish both of them luck in their careers and relationships. It has to be hard to lose your best friend, career, and the love of your life. Best of luck you two.
Monday November 9th, 2009 at 5:45 am
Dear Wendy, I love your show and I’m one of your biggest fans. However I’m coming to you for help I’m a single mom of two and recently i lost my job and after that I lost my aptment due to a electrical fire.So I really been trying to make it the best way I know how my problem is my breast so so small I would like to be a little more curvier.So I remember you also had that problem I need help I’t would be a dream come true I see so many more doors opening please help me. I’t would be a christmas dream that finally would come true. Thank You, Desprite in Chicago
Monday November 9th, 2009 at 1:56 am
I agree with some of the other comments. No one should beat anyone period, man or woman! I have been in a situation were i provoked my ex-boyfriend and hit him, knowing that I had an advantage being a woman and if he hit me back I could call the cops on him. We don’t know what went on in their relationship however, for Chris to assault Rihanna the way he did was really, really bad and unecessary.I believe Chris and Rihanna have at some point been violent towards each other but this time, it was probably the most extreme and most of all, it was public. Get off Chris, he made a huge mistake and so did Rihanna. Rihanna is obviously talking now cos she has an album to promote but she is not being 100% honest about their relationship. We live in a society where, when a woman hits a man its no big deal but the other way around, the man is a monster…pretty sad. Why don’t we focus more on promoting NO VIOLIENCE period! If you are in a relationship that pushes you to the point that you feel like hitting your mate, you leave! Don’t stay till you lose your temper on day and hit him or her, that aint healthy and its not love.
Saturday November 7th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I AGREE WITH U WENDY EVERYONE NEEDS TO FALL BACK AND GIVE CHRIS BROWN ANOTHER CHANCE..HE IS YOUNG WE ALL WAS YOUNG AND DID STUPID MISTAKES..BUT I DON’T CARE HOW MANY TIMES U TELL A PERSON ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE U CAN TURN BLUE IN THE FACE..A PERSON WILL LEAVE ON THERE TERMS
Saturday November 7th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
What a lot of you do not seem to understand (maybe it’s a generational thing) is that a REAL MAN never puts his hands on a female. I do not believe Rihanna hit him or provoked him physically at all, as both of them have confirmed that she did not. I, for the life of me, do not understand why so many of you want to believe that she did something to provoke him. There is NEVER any reason for a man to beat a female the way she was beaten. If he was pissed off, he should have pulled over and put her out of the car and gone on about his business. His actions were those of a cowardly bully who took advantage of a situation where he knew he could overpower someone physically weaker than himself.
Saturday November 7th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I would like to say something about this chris Brown and Rihanna situation. Wendy is 100% correct when she said it is time to move on!!! None of us know or will ever know the real true facts that led up to the altercation between Chris and Rihanna. The MEDIA as usual has taken this and blew the incident up MAJOR! In my own personal opinion I don’t believe Chris threw the first hit and I do believe he was pushed and provoked!!!! That’s my own opinion. Speaking for myself I have been in a situation where because I went through my man’s phone, checked text messages, or found out he was cheating I put my hands on him! Yes! There are good women who are being abused right now who hasn’t done anything and for them my heart and prayers go out to them. But some of us women do know how we can get about a situation with our men and because we know they shouldn’t hit us we continue to be verbally or physically abused. At the end of the day we are all human and things happen. Should we judge Chris Brown because of what happened??? NO!!! Instead of bringing him down or trying to destroy his career. Why not try to get this man some help. Rihanna isn’t the only victim in this situation…..
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
i didn’t mean to say it was all chris fault i was trying to say it was NOT all chris fault please fix that
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
this is from a woman who went through years of abuse at a young age, when my abuser told me that he was going to beat my a** when we got home he did it, he didn’t leave me in the car crying for someone to come along and help me. I know chris is saying he did it and i do believe he may have lost his temper that night and did something he regreted but i can tell you this from my experience (eventhough i was getting my butt kicked on a regular) when i heard about him cheated on me i lost it and i started putting my hands on him just the same, which was a big mistake. So i know from experience, whatever went on that night was bad for BOTH of them but i can’t say it was all chris fault. we all have to accept and be responsible for our own actions because it will help us grow and move on, trust me i did!!!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Wendy,
I have been a fan of your show since day 1 and think that you are extremely talented; however, I couldn’t believe what you said about Chris Brown. It is not time for us to move on. It just happened. Domestic violence is a serious matter and it takes years of therapy for someone to possibly be rehabilitated if at all. Mr. Brown grew up in a dysfunctional home and if he truly wants to become ” emotionally healthy” it will take him years of therapy and hard work. He should be focusing on that and not his music career right now. He has not earned the right to be forgiven yet. Maybe, if after 5 or so years, he has proven himself by treating people/women with respect and has not abused anyone, then we can possibly say that he has changed or become emotionally healthy. When you spoke about him if seemed as if we should have pity for him.. It’s like pitying a rapist or murderer. If you had a daughter who was beaten up by Chris Brown, I doubt that you would feel that he should be forgiven or that people should just move on and let him be. I truly feel that you should go on the air and retract something that you said about this. I had so much respect for you before those comments. Women can sometimes be their own worst enemy. I hope that you read this and think about it.
Your show is innovative, unique, humorous, and truly something special. I love your guests and the way that you interview guests. You ask the questions that we all want to know the answers too. You are only two years older than me so we are on the same wavelength about a lot of things. That Chris Brown comment through me off. Please think about it and comment on your show.
thanks,
Sue(Guidance Counselor in the Bronx)
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Listen no one in this world should be beatin on…Now I’m goin 2 get straight 2 tha point Re- Re isn’t perfect she did sumthin 2 him 4 him 2 beat him..I don’t think hebeatin her tha way she said he did..Re-Re need 2 take tha blame 4 doin in tha fight..
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
its true what she said as mothers we should talk to our children no matter if they are men or women. we should teach them that getting this type of abouse or giving it is not ok. and why should any one give chris a chane. it was his actions he has to pay the consequences of his actions.
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
i thimk that rihanna should leave chris brown for good because if u got to beat a womanudont need them
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
ASININE ——–
Per Prev Messages
I don’t care how much older she is over him. Comparing his maturity to her age does not balance the reprehensible actions on HIS part. Being in the spot light at his age catapults him into adulthood therefore he should be thoroughly accountable for what he’s done . I understand he is a young man with a lot to learn and experience however knowing basic rights from wrongs isn’t something that needs to be honed over time. Whatever she might have done physically \ verbally to provoke him doesn’t license violence unless his life was in some danger! (Like she had a weapon with the intent of mortally wounding him etc.)
Defending yourself as “NECESSARY” is never wrong but knowing where to the draw the line is something that even an elementary school kid would know how to do. And it’s not a matter of ” OH WELL, HE DID HIS TIME ” so it’s over. There are far more reaching consequences to be addressed. White washing the incident as ” just a mistake ” debases the situation and lightens it severity .
It’s like we get so caught up with images of their videos and seeing them perform on TV it’s easy for someone to FORGET the SEVERITY of the issue . Simply saying ” I’m SO OVER IT” because you’re detached from the situation doesn’t mean it should be swept under the rug.
Also rather than assume this is a publicity stunt on her part, how about the actuality of her finding a way to voice her resolve over the issue. Her wounds were public and her resolve should be public as well. As we stand now all we see is the punishment dolled out to him along with his apology. However her resolve has yet to be voiced. It’s important for her as person to do this publicly and as a role model. The wounds he inflicted were on public display and so was his lamentation and punishment ; why shouldn’t she have a voice?!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I feel she is doing this as a publicity stunt. This happened months ago and she is just now ready to “share” her story with everyone. She has had plenty of time to get over this and move on, and let him move on. Its a bunch of bs she needs to suck it up and be adult about the situation and let her talent promote her album not this unfortunate event. If she knew better she would do better.
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Wow…you know it’s sad to say what people say and think, but it goes to show that people always blame women. Chris has been more public about this then Rihanna has yet she is being attacked for finally speaking on it. I agree, maybe she did do something to set him off but a man is much stronger than a woman. If he would have smacked her once then I can be more sympathetic with him. All it takes is a man to smack a woman once to settle her down but he beat her as if she were a man! You really think a woman getting loud, maybe slapping a guy or pushing him is equivalent to a man beating her like pinata????
Seems like a lot of people are more than just eye for an eye…we have a push me and I’ll stab you kind of mentality with these readers/viewers.
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I am sick of this story. None of us know what really happened that night. I believe they both were wrong. I even believe she was more responsible than he. Rhianna is older than him. I can see her putting her hands on him and all in his face and cursing him out in her west Indian tongue. Now that doesn’t give him the right, but he is a kid and she should have known better. Rhianna needs to grow up and be the woman she tries to portray she is!
Ultimately Chris wins in this situation because he admitted his wrong, accepted his punishment and grew from it!!!
She should do the same!!!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 10:21 am
im so over this…she wants to promote her new album n thats that. What he did was wrong but you have to look at it from both sides. Im a women, n no as it is not right for a man to hit a women, its not right for women to hit a man either. Or abuse there ego. No im not defending what Chris did one bit, but he did his time. He is young n talented. She wants ti play the victim when i believe that she was one who started the fight. She is crazy. I mean this is coming from a womens point of view…Just let this man get on with his career, he is the closest we have to talent now days. Rihanna is tryna ruin his career. Once again im applauding him for what he did. But the law says once you did your time your free. Leave the man alone n Rihanna jus play dress up as you been doin and promote yur album. Dont play the pty card to sale albums, thats saying your not talented enough to sale on your own. SMooches
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Are you people serious?? What kind of air are you breathing up there?? Why is everybody questioning when Rihanna should have spoken out? Do you have any idea what she went through? I cannot believe that people are blaming her for any of this. Both are to blame for their actions but people are acting as though he pinched her on her cheek. He punched, choked and beat the living daylights out of that girl and left her on the street with no way to get home. If not for some kind of intervention miracle by the 911 caller goodness knows what would have happened to her. Chris Brown has done his time?? He is yet to do his time because the way he is acting is like someone just dying to put this behind him and move on with their career. I was hoping that Rihanna would have stayed silent for the rest of her life. Speak to the therapists, that’s what they are paid for because it’s nobody else’s business. They both need help but I am appalled at how people are acting as though she deserved this while Chris Brown deserves another chance.