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
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Honestly I’m tired of all this but we know that Rhianna was going to come out and say something about the situation.The comment Rhianna made about being embarrassed “to be in love with someone (Chris) like that” is so crazy to me. Okay you might feel embarrassed about the whole situation and going back to him but that’s a lesson that you have lived and you learn from it. Chris has done his time and the whole world need to leave him alone and let him live his life. Rhianna and Chris are both victims in this situation and Rhianna needs to get a grip. I’ve been through the same situation but worse and I went back and left for good and never looked back. So when this whole interview thing with Rhianna is over everybody please move on!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I am an island girl like Rhinna and my motto is “DON”T HIT IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE HIT”, she hits him and he knock she back, his ring just caught her in the interim…women stop hitting your men and then claiming domestic abuse when they hit back, they are not your sons….geesh give a brother a break!!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Wendy, I like your show, I was listen to the lady statement about giving Chris a break,I think Rihanna is not telling it like it happen and Chris love her to much to tell what she did to him, to make him react like he did, why she waited until her new CD hit the street, to make peoples feel sorry for her, the look on her face tell a lot, when will she tell what she did,I am a 65 years old man,I have hit two women in my life and both to protect my self. I hope one day some one will tell the truth about what happen. Next time you see the interview look at her eyes and her face, it not the look of some one regreat they went back, she was the cause of the action.A fan of your and Chris from Decatur, GA.
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Wow, Can u belive it!! I some what agree with what everyone is saying!! Now look Chris had no right to put his hand on Rihanna, but lets look at it from his point of view. I just cant honestly believe that Chris Brown really did that, but hey that’s my opinon. I feel that everyone should just stop ganging up on Chris. Riannna had something to do with this to also. Look not trying to sound harsh, but look at it like this:
In relationships people go through their ups and downs
Apparentlly this was a down. Look all i am asking is that u let Chris give his side of the story!!
This Message down below is for Rihanna:
STOP TRYING TO GET ATTENTION!!! GOSH!!! HOW COULD U BE SO HEARTLESS!! DANG, I THINK THE MEDIA HAS RUBBED IT IN HIS FACE ENOUGH!!!!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Rihanna, Rihanna is just pathetic to me now.. I have lost soooooo much respect for her as a woman and as a BLACK WOMAN ! I don’t see how people can say she is strong for coming and speaking about this… For the past eight months this chick has been out all over the world living it up spotted with numerous of males, in scandulous clothes not looking sad one bit.. Now all of a sudden her album is about to drop and his is too on (Dec.8th!) and now she wants to speak out.. What in the Wendy??? Where was all of this back when the situation happened? Sounds like she wants people to have pity on her and have people buy her album for sympathy sales and since his album is about to drop she wants to see him FAIL… Just low no matter how you look at it and I hope people look through her. And then she says that she realized by going back to Chris was not being umm a role model for the young girls… UMMMMMM HELLOOOO what she wears is DEFINITELY not what I would want my young daughter (if i had one) to be wearing.. (Don’t get me wrong shes fly @ times) so what kind of role model is she trying to be exactly? especially with a song talking about pulling a trigger Russian Roulette as well as Unfatithful from a previous album. Do not Plzz do not get me wrong, no I do not agree with what Chris has done and never will and I will teach my son thats not right but come on now.. Chris has spoken out apologized numerous of times and is serving and doing his time LEAVE THE BROTHER ALONE! Let him bounce back he is VERY TALENTED!! I hate it when a female who is considered to be “strong” acts like they’re sooo innocent.. The whole interview has not aired yet but hopefully she will tell the truth of what happened what SHE DID and him too because I am pretty sure she provoked it from jump anyway, all of this is not on Chris! I believe there are three sides to a story her side, his side, and the TRUTH…
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 7:36 am
well stop defending chris brown he has some serious issue that need to dealt with.
never hit women walk away real man would have chris brown need therapy for years not month
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 3:12 am
IM REALLY UPSET ABOUT SOME OF THE COMMENTS STATING THAT RHIHANNA IS TALKING NOW JUST FOR PPL TO FEEL SORRY FOR HER AND TO BOOST THE SALES OF HER ALBUM THATS COMING OUT…SOME OF YOU HAVE FAILED TO REALIZE THAT SHE WAS SAVAGELY BEATIN LIKE A DOG AND IF THAT WAS YOUR CHILD YOU WOULDNT BE SAYING THAT. YOU WOULD WANT TO BEAT THE SHT OUTTA OF HIM SO STOP ACTING LIKE YOU DONT KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS…LETS KEEP IT REAL…CHRIS HAS AN ANGER PROBLEM ND IM QUITE SURE THIS IS NOT THE 1ST TIME HS”S BEAT HER..ITS JUST THE 1ST TIME HE”S DONE IT IN PUBLIC ND GOT CAUGHT,PLAIN ND SIMPLE! NOW I DO FEEL FOR THE BOTH OF THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SO YOUNG BUT I APPLAU HER FOR COMING OUT ND LETTING OTHER YOUNG WOMEN WHO IS DEALING WITH BIEN BEATIN BY THEIR BOYFRIENDS TO GET THE HELL AWAY FROM THEM BEFOR THEIR EITHER SCARED OR MANED FOR LIFE OR KILLED! THEATS THE MESSEGE TO NEED TO BE SAID. AS FAR AS HER RECORDS..THEY WILL SALE ANYWAY BECAUSE SHE HAS THE VOICE ND TALENT AS WELL AS CHRIS. I TRULEY HOPE ND PRAY THAT HE GETS THE HELP THAT HE REALLY NEEDS BECAUSE HE HAS ALOT TO OFFER THE WORLD ND LETTING OTHER YOUNGMEN TO NEVER PUT THEIR HANDS ON A WOMAN EVER!!!!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 2:30 am
i think tha rhinna is trying to make it seem as if she is the good person in the situation well i think NOT! she probably used to hit on him and when she found out he wasnt taking it and started hitting her back she realized he wasnt gone sit and let that go down.Dont get me wrong i think no man should hit a woman but if he is constantly being hit by one then beat her ASS!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Rihanna is so brave for speaking out! And for those who are claiming that she’s trying to promote her album, then please just stop with the negativity. It’s been a rough year for her and bringing back the horrors that she’s experienced won’t help anyone and you’re just wasting your time…….
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 1:39 am
As for Chris and Rihanna, the best thing they can do is do what it takes to make their lives better however they define in making their lives the best it can be. Better they focus on making their lives better rather than making it worse as it could be.
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 1:36 am
Rihanna is awesome! Chris should go to hell for all I care!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Uh NO!!! Rihanna should be up for an OSCAR!! That whole interview was an act!! Give me a break!!! I am a survivor of domestic abuse! Although everyone handles it differently, I NEVER WENT BACK…NOT EVEN ONCE…and I was married and had two kids with the man!!! If she’s such a strong woman, as she reports it, why did she have to wait until SHE’S PROMOTING HER NEW ALBUM to finally speak out? Her words (and actions) were not those of a true victim! So far, I didn’t hear any details that would suggest that she’s innocent in what happened! Listen closely to how she phrases things. She’s being really crafty. I’m sure Chris Brown hit her. However, I’m not sure the physical part of their altercation wasn’t started by Rihanna! “Out of love” Rihanna allowed her emotions to cause her to become violent, and Chris Brown reacted. I’m sure this was not the first time she’s hit him! Give me a break! I don’t believe the image Rihanna and her puppeteers are trying to make us believe. She’s just trying to increase her cd sales! I’m not having it!! GOOD LUCK CHRIS BROWN!!!!!!!! Go into therapy Rihanna!!!
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 12:20 am
I WONDER HOW CHRIS BROWN CAREER WILL BE AFFCTED BY THIS INTERVIEW AND WHAT HE HAS TO SAY?
Friday November 6th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Hello, Ms. Williams
I would like to comment on the statements made regarding Rihanna’s traumatic experience. People do not “get it” domestic violence is one of the most shameful, confusing, emotional, roller coaster rides you can take. I am a Certified Domestic Violence Instructor focusing on prevention and awareness of domestic violence and how to recognize the “red flags.” Outside people are quick to say what the “VICTIM” should do. However, until you have walked in those shoes…you really do not understand there is a PROCESS that the victim must go through before talking about it publicly! Particularly if you are a professional woman as myself and the instructor of domestic violence and found myself there as well! I educate in these areas of understanding the battered woman syndrome, symptoms, why “people” are barriers and ways to protect yourself. I submit respecfully,
Thursday November 5th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
As an abused woman of 50 years. I also felt embarrassed. it took me over 20 years to finally walk away. Ladies, no the abuse is never our fault.
Some of our norms in our culture allow us to let the violence continue. Many of our own family members send us back patched up and tell us to work it out. If I knew then what I knew now my life would have been so much better without the pains. No, Chris Brown, I will not forgive you or take you back. An abuser will abuse again! Rihanna I will continue to pray for you. Your passion will make you stronger. SING YOUR OWN SONG LADIES! SING YOUR OWN SONG!
Thursday November 5th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I am so over this chris brown and rihanna thing he did what he did and said sorry, he also paid for the crime he committed,so pls give it a rest. And let’s move
Thursday November 5th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I feel that this is a very serious issue in society but I think they are taking this a little too far in regards to Chris. From what I have heard, girlfriend has a temper of her own and does not have a problem with slapping/hitting her man. I don’t like the fact that they are trying to make it look like it is all this boy’s fault. I really 4 sorry 4 Chris because he is going to have to fight harder than any other person who is involved in domestic violence.
These r 2 kids trying to have an adult relationship in the limelight. I know a lot of adults who are unable to handle this successfully. Keep ur head up Chris & Rihanna needs 2 recognize the part she played in this.
Thursday November 5th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I agree with ur thoughts huney, she should have spoken out a while ago, becuz whether Rhianna likes it or not her timing to speak out about domestic violence looks selfless an seems to b only to concoct a pity party with her fans, an also to leave him 9 times Id really like to know if it was guilt that made her turn back since she obviously had more strength than most to even almost be done with the physical abuse, so it seems that we don’t know everything ….
Also wanted to say that I am still a fan of Chris Browns but in these new videos he seems to have a slight creepo factor to him that seems it will b hard for me to unmask! LOL- HOW U DOIN’? jk
Thursday November 5th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I really wished Rihanna would have just stuck to a magazine interview and kept it moving. I question her motives. I love Chris Brown and I think its unfair everything he has to go through. He made a mistake and is paying for it and now when her damn album is about to drop now she wants to say something.
It was better when she was quiet and things were getting back to normal and now here she go with her big mouth.
Thursday November 5th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
She did not go back 9 times! She was correcting the statistic that Diane quoted incorrectly. The correct statistic is that women go back 8 or 9 times rather than 6 or 7…she didn’t say that she and Chris had 8 or 9 incidents! Please correct that Wendy because Chris has enough to deal with without little misunderstandings like this. Thanks.