The second teaser clip from Rihanna’s interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer just aired on Good Morning America. While yesterday’s segment dealt mostly with what followed her assault at the hands of ex Chris Brown, the 5-minute excerpt shown today focused squarely on the events of that awful February night.
Rihanna went into detail at Sawyer’s prompting, recounting a disturbing timeline that will be familiar to anyone who’s read the official police report on the incident. First she and Brown argued over a text message he received from a woman; then he violently attacked her. “It was ugly,” Rihanna told Sawyer, becoming choked up with emotion. “That’s all I kept thinking the whole time: When is it going to stop? When is it going to stop?…I was bleeding. I was swollen in my face. There was no way of me getting home.”
It’s a harrowing story, and one that unfortunately needs re-telling so no one can forget or distort just what it is that Brown did to Rihanna. (And while I wish that were just a hypothetical, I’m still seeing way too many blog commenters and others doing their best to minimize the reality of Brown’s inexcusable actions.) Say what you will about the timing of Rihanna’s publicity tour — she is doing something brave and necessary by going back over these painful memories in public.
Rihanna’s full interview with Diane Sawyer will air on 20/20 tonight. Will you be watching? What did you think of the latest interview clip? Let us know in the comments below.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
Photo Credit: ABC
More from EW.com’s Music Mix:
Rihanna’s Diane Sawyer interview, part 1
Chris Brown moves up album release and talks about Rihanna on MTV
Taylor Swift on ‘SNL’: Let the Kanye yukks begin
Muse: Watch new video here
‘Say Anything’ turns 20: Cameron Crowe’s crazy story behind ‘In Your Eyes’
Comments (1-30) of 206 Add your comment
I have no problem with her giving these interviews because she knows she’s going to be asked about it so might as well get it out. But to state that it “needs re-telling” and that this is “brave and necessary” is absolutely ridiculous. What happened between those two is technically none of our business we’re just all nosy and want to know. It’s certainly not “necessary” as you put it.
I disagree. Millions of women in this country are victims of domestic violence, yet it is never publicly addressed. Rhianna speaking out may help women who are being assaulted learn how to speak about it, it may cause men to hear the truth about their actions, and it forces us as a society to – even just a little – consider the epidemic of domestic violence that we have.
“Never publicly addressed”?
I applaud Rihanna, I think she is doing a public service. But Simon goes overboard in saying that its necessary and needs re-telling. Says who? What if she felt it was personal and she didn’t want to talk about it? Would Simon take issue with that, because as he puts it, its “necessary”?
It is necessary for society to talk about domestic violence more, absolutely. But no victim ever asks to become a victim, and individual victims should never unwillingly become a platform for others’ activism. Rihanna should not be expected to become a voice for all abused women simply because she was abused or because she’s famous. That she’s choosing to is great, and maybe it’s a way for her to regain personal agency and heal while at the same time contributing to the societal conversation about domestic violence. But it’s not her duty. She didn’t ask to be in this situation.
Sorry, but I read about domestic violence all the time….it’s in the news every week. It doesn’t need re-telling.
I think Sally In Chicago’s response minimizing the impact of domestic violence is a fantastic example of why it still MUST be discussed.
As far as I’m concerned it’s over and they should both move on….but she’s got an album to sell…that’s why the timing is NOW….and for people to totally diss Chris…you have to realize he’s a 19 yr old, worth millions, there’s pressure and temptations. At least he hasn’t ended up a junkie somewhere with a needle in his arm, or dead…he’s 19 years old people! 19 yr olds don’t know their emotions!
If this had happened when he was 30 y.o., then yeh, I would be down on him.
Yes, but most 19 year olds, famous or not, don’t beat women until they bleed. I’m so tired of people trying to justify Chris Brown’s actions, just because he’s attractive and otherwise marketable. There is NO excuse for beating a woman, it doesn’t matter what she said or did. Get control of yourself. The sad things, many men won’t unless they know there are lasting repercussions.
What a TERRIBLE thing to say. His age does not exonerate him from his crimes. this is the same as saying that if a kid killed someone he’s not responsible. He could have killed her or caused her irreparable harm. To beat on someone for any length of time shows that he has a horrible problem and need to have a tremendous amount of counseling.
I applaud Rihanna for coming forward and finally, saying that it was wrong and stupid of her to go back to him. I wish her all the best. I wish nothing but bad on Chris Brown and I will protest and boycott anyone or anything that supports him.
Sally, you’re a complete idiot. If you were beaten to a pulp by a 19 year old, you’d be singing a different tune. “At least he’s not a junkie.” Seriously? We’re supposed to be impressed with that?! Wow, what an accomplishment!!! I wasn’t in control of my emotions at that age either and had plenty of idiotic arguments with my girlfriend, but it NEVER once even occurred to me to hit her. You have some very low standards, Sally. I feel sorry for you.
“At least hasn’t ended up a junkie somewhere”?!?! Are you insane? He beat the woman he supposedly loved. How is that better than being a junkie?
How does his age excuse his behavior? Your exoneration of his guilt blows my mind. Are you a 12 year old girl?
wow. He hit her. A “man” hit a woman. If she makes it public for others to speak up she should. And should be talked abuot. My father used to hit my mom and she never spoke her mind until she was able to grow out of it and ruin him. but it took her time. she was very young. they are fragile. so let her do it. Avoid someone go through this
I am not saying you should not criticize Chris. His action were very wrong, but you are all hypocrites. Chris Brown is not the first celebrity to be involved with domestic violence but you are demonizing him but not the others. Mickey Rourke, Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Mike Tyson, the list goes on. They were grown men when they assaulted women but you all have given them free passes. But when it comes to the 19 year old, you want his career to be over. I understand you want get the issue out there but picking on only one person and ignoring the others does not solve anything. If you are truly against domestic violence, you will criticize the others equally.
Sally, he knew his emotions. He just didn’t care to control it, and THAT is the problem. The man needs some serious help. Most of us are all taught at a young age that hitting others is wrong. You have personally contributed to the problem of domestic violence by dismissing him as a kid who didn’t know any better. Don’t make excuses for him – he wears big boy undies.
So, you’re saying that one adult is not responsible for their actions and not another? Or are you saying that a black adult should be given a free pass because he’s not a junkie? Finally, if anyone is to blame for the ‘ending of a career’ it might the the rich, spoiled self-important, violent man that chose to beat his girlfriend to a pulp. *That* is what ends a career – the action, not the telling of it.
I am sorry but that is ridiculous- you cannot make a excuse for Chris Brown. I am 19 years old, so let me get into to my car, drive drunk, beat someone up, etc., because Hey! I’m just a teenager with lots of emotions and temptations! I don’t think so. I know better and he should have known better, and while do I hope he gets the help needed, I think he’s gotten off the hook far to easily and sometimes I feel he is very insincere in his interviews. Making excuses does not solve anything. I’m sorry but it grates on my nerves that you say someone my age, at 19, does not know their emotions and should be excused. There is no excuse whatsoever.
I’m glad to see so many people standing up to Sally’s ridiculous attempt to exonerate Chris Brown and I’m also glad that she appears to have no response to everyone’s rebuke. Saying he should be excused and forgiven for assaulting someone just because he is 19 is simply outrageous. So what is he’s 19?! Does that mean we should just give a pass to everyone who beats up his girlfriend just because of his age? Or should we say ‘oh, that’s ok. At least he’s not a junkie!’ What if he raped someone? Should we say ‘oh that’s ok. At least he’s not a murderer!’ There are countless 19 year olds who know how to control themselves and realize that it’s wrong and illegal to beat up another person. Sally, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Sally in Chicago, I agree with M 100%. What is wrong with you to excuse his behavior. Attitudes like yours help to contribute to this kind of behavior. I think you should seek some help yourself as to why you dont see the seriousness of his actions.
Umm Sally….Yes, it is over and she is TRYING to move on. This interview is part of the process. Not sure what his age has anything to do with it….he beat the living day lights out of another (weaker) person. There is something wrong with you to even make such statement.
YOU’RE AN ABUSE VICTIM ARE’NT YOU SALLY??? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GET OUT NOW WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!!!
If you’re a junkie, you’re abusing yourself, not other people. Being 19 and worth millions is ZERO excuse. Money and power don’t equal doing whatever you want, whenever you want. What a terrible thing to think ‘well, he must be under sooo much pressure, and he’s a millionaire, it completely excuses any violent behavior and justifies his reasoning for doing so.’ That’s crap. Also, if you’re over 18, you’re an adult and completely responsible for your own actions, barring insanity. I don’t care what his circumstances are, rich, poor, stressed, tired, whatever, MEN SHOULD NEVER HIT WOMEN EVER. PERIOD.
You’re seriously trying to justify his actions by saying, “Oh, he’s 19, he doesn’t know his emotions?” My 12 year-old knows not to beat on someone.
I really want my 15-year-old daughter to know about this for her own sake. She needs to know it isn’t right for a boyfriend to hit her. I’m really glad Rhianna is going public, even if it is self-serving, too.
Its necessary becasue their famous. Unfortunately, privacy is the first thing that goes when fame comes along. If a political figure did the same you would expect details to be divulged.
I just think it’s funny she waits until her album drops to talk. It’s more publicity and it’s kind of old news that’s being bought up because she’s trying to sell records.
So True! Sure, it’s being used for publicity but that doesn’t make the substance of what she has to say any less. People want to hear, and I don’t see how should we go through a promotional process without speaking on the issue. It always saddens me when people try to minimilize Rihanna’s victim status.
Simon, no one’s excusing what Chris did to Rihanna that night. But she’s just doing this to hype her album and tour. Period. She had a good 8 months to recount the tragedy. Do you know what would have been a feasible time to do so? When Chris Brown had his “interview” (using that word loosely) with Larry King. Her interview would’ve put CB’s to shame since he chose not to remember a damn thing that night.
This is all a publicity stunt on her end. Yes, she’s brave for blunting telling us for what happened but the timing of it is susceptible.
**
I disagree, Penny. I am sick of people trying to justify Brown’s actions or minimize them. Young girls especially should know what happened so they can realize how bad domestic violence can be, and that it should not be forgotten and forgiven. I applaud Rihanna for coming forward with her story.
I’m hardly justifying Chris Brown. What I have a problem with is people insisting that she be the face of domestic violence. If she’s comfortable talking about it, fine. But don’t act like its her civic duty to talk about something that’s very personal and painful.
Then who’s civic duty is it. The last time I checked we lived in a society where we are all held socially and morally responsible to our actions.
I commend Rihanna for being a responsible woman and seeing the bigger role she plays and seeing the need for her to get out there so other women don’t take domestic violence so lightly, and in turn, things may change.
Mary Murphy from SYTYCD talked about how because of Rihanna she came forward to say that this can happen at any age, giving her the strength to show her face.
It is Rihanna’s civic duty, it’s everyone’s civic duty to see a crime and do something about it, to speak up on it. Look at that poor fifteen year old girl who was raped and many people just stood by watching, accountability plays in every society matters.
I don’t think anyone said this was her civic duty. Clearly, she is ready to talk about it – if she wasn’t, she would have continued to stay silent. Her strength to talk about her situation and the issue as a whole is educational and motivational. All too many young children look up to celebrities. She has a good message – I think everyone should listen up.
I took issue with Simon stating that it needed retelling and was necessary. I don’t think you should put that pressure on someone who is a victim of a crime. If something like that happened to me I would not want to be told that its necessary that I go on national television and tell the world about it. It should be my choice. As a victim you can use your story to help others, but you shouldn’t be expected to.
I don’t think anybody made Rhianna come out and talk about the assault, nor do I think that the columnist was necessarily saying that Rhianna was required to come forward and tell her story. His point was that as more and more people begin to excuse Chris Brown’s behavior as immature, or, even worse, blame Rhianna as a demanding and unfaithful girlfriend, it is important that people be reminded what actually happened in that car. When we justify violence, it makes it more likely to continue. Rhianna speaking out was brave and I don’t care why she did it. I respect her for accepting that whether she intended it or not, she is the face of domestic violence right now and taking a stand.
I wouldn’t go back i’m sorry
While there are people who are trying to diminsh Chris Browns role in this I think its important to look at every aspect of the case before drawing a conclusion. he was WRONG this should be undisputed. However here are portions of the report that says he slapped him first. what he should have done was pull the car over get out and leave. we all know what happened instead. whether male or female, hitting slapping…all instigation of violence is wrong!!! Women, even though you are smaller and not as strong, do not slap or hit men and expect them not to react, if it were another female you would expect retaliation! Men, keep your hands to yourself! it is NEVER okay to hit a woman! http://entertainmentrundown.com/9418/rihanna-slapped-chris-brown-numerous-times-after-seeing-text/
Yikes. I have no problem with Rihanna telling the story; it is important for people to know (not about Rihanna, but about domestic abuse). I also don’t hate Chris Brown. They’re both kids, and everybody in the world makes mistakes. Some people make nasty mistakes and should pay for them, but people also need to forgive (but not forget).
What is sickening to me is watching Diane Sawyer milk the interview after the clip aired. “There’s a lot more that happened in that car, and she will tell it all… in DETAIL.. tomorrow night!” I think it goes without saying that people are gonna tune in. I wish they didn’t have to use the story as entertainment as a means to get ratings.
I too questioned the timing of this, but I don’t anymore. I’m sure I would hold off as long as possible to tell this personal story. It’s so private and I’m sure she wasn’t looking forward to it. She knew it would be the big elephant in the room with her album promo and she’s stepping up and saying it rather than dodging questions. She can make a difference in the lives of young girls and hopefully encourage them to be stronger and not stand for this kind of abuse. I respect Rihanna so much for her honesty and openness. It really does serve as a huge reminder of what he did to her. If Chris wasn’t so famous, talented, and lovable, I’m sure as just another man on the street this behavior would not be excused or tolerated. Trust me, I am a fan and feel sorry for him. He’s a kid. But I’m not ready to support him with my $. Not sure if I ever will.
This year Josh Brolin, Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn were nominated for Oscars even though they have history of domestic violence. I do not recall any criticism. People did not have a problem with them getting on with their lives and careers even with their past actions. I hope you are not supporting their movies with your $ because if you are, you have no integrity.
Ama, the list never ends! Don’t forget about Ringo Starr, Elvis, Charlie Sheen, Christain Slater, Biggie Smalls, John Lennon,etc. And let’s not forget about the women who beat men and their own children.
Then nothing changes and nothing gets addressed on a larger scale, a global scale. Domestic violence and other crimes against women are go unreported mainly because women are so ashamed and fearful of speaking out about them.
It’s a major issue amongst women that needs to be explored and talked about and dealt with.
Gabrielle Union was raped and speaks openly about it because there shouldn’t be shame and stigma attached to it. Crimes against women have lower prison sentences because it isn’t viewed as being a major problem with society, and a huge part of that is because a large number of victims refuse to talk about it.
I agree with ChiChi the girl who was gang raped in Richmond was brutalised FOR HOURS while people STOOD BY AND WATCHED and because she is over the aged of 14 California law will not hold the bystanders accountable despite their blatant negligence. Anthony Sowell of cleveland Ohio possibly murdered 11 women. 11! And that was after they let him out after serving time for a brutal rape! where was this guys parole officer? I’m sorry but the american justice system is crazy broken and women get the short crappy end of the stick
Not just women get the crappy end of the stick, give me a break. Because there are no male crime victims. Everyone deserves justice but in this country, unfortunately, it’s bought and Rhianna is a lot better off than other victims of violent crime because her fame demanded some sort of action by the authorities.
I’m not condoning Chris Brown’s actions by any stretch of the imagination. However, the timing of these stories and interviews is absolute garbage and makes me sick to my stomach. Yes, people need to know about this, and all that. However, this is nothing more than a sympathy play to get people to buy her album. If you think otherwise, then it’s time for you to take the blinders off. She’s had nearly 9 months to get this off her chest.. Now she’s got an album coming out, and conveniently opens up? Puh-leeeze.
He pled guilty in August. No doubt the prosecutors advised her not to make a public statement about what happened until after the criminal case was closed.
Good point, Missy, and as others have posted, she would have to address it with the promo of her album. I think it IS necessary that she retells it. Chris Brown would like it to all go away and blames his age on it, hoping a cute smile and “I was wrong” cut his vicious attack on his girlfriend. While I don’t like Rhianna as a performer (really, she’s hardly better than Britney), she needed to publicly share what happened.
I feel the same way her timing was a load of crap. On top of her album coming out, he is also getting ready to start his tour. To me Rihanna is full of it! Wasn’t she the one that wanting the judge to restringing order against so they can be together and this was after he beat her and was seen together at P Diddy house in Miami or whatever? And no one on here can tell me that she didn’t him as well. As women what to be treated as equals to men, but when it comes to domestic violence its okay for a women to hit a men but not okay for a men to hit a women. I am a woman and I know if I seen a text message from another woman on my men phone I’m going to be pissed and probably hit him for it and I’m sure that many women can relate. Its two sides to a story and baby girl Rihanna is not going to tell the full truth because she doesn’t want to look bad. Many of women are abuse by their partners and now everyone making a big deal because she has gotten hit, now its just public issue when it should have been a public issue in the first place.
Rihanna is not telling the whole truth? Maybe, but at least she is telling some truth. Chris Brown has repeatedly told interviewers (Larry King etc.) that he doesn’t even remember “the incident”. Okay, so he was emotionally traumatized and blacked out. Interesting that the car stayed on the road during this blackout. Interesting that there is a picture of her smashed face but his face looked pretty fine on TMZ the next day. All of you women defending Brown had better hope people are kinder to you if this ever happens to you. I pray it doesn’t. More than Chris and Rihanna it is very sad to see people’s views on domestic violence.
Me and my Ex- Boyfriend got into plenty of times and i always hit first because i wasnt going to put up with any bull from him. yes i should left the relationship at the time but i didnt but when our daughter was born i knew that this was not going to work. but anyway to me i seems like she is trying to ruin him to better herself. if she wants to help young girls then go to DV shelters and talk to them but she not.
PUBLICITY S-T-U-N-T. Rihanna is an attention crazed meglomaniac. The moment the lights began to dim on this “incident” she went and did a drastic hair color change as if she was to say “wait! Dont forget about me! I was beaten remember?”
What Chris Brown did was inexcuseable, but what is the point of someone doing time, (in his case Community Service) and is staying on top of his service and he still wont catch a break because she had to come out of the woodwork (right before her album came out….hint) to relive a story that she said she was never was going to tell the public.
When Chris had his interview, he said repeatidly “I want to keep what happened between us out of respect for her”…but “oh he was a monster! No soul in his eyes!” Buy my album please feel sorry for me….
She should be talking to women, empowering them with thought on getting out of a bad relationship.
Im sorry but, women set themselves up like pins to be knocked down. If you see that the relationship is going for a bad turn, LEAVE. Rihanna was in that relationship to gain more fans.
Im not a Chris Brown fan or a Rihanna fan. They both are just dumb kids.
Sass, you seem to think that Rhianna talking about being beaten is worse than Chris actually doing the assault. That is exactly the reason that Rhianna needs to keep telling her story. He hasn’t done his time. He is what, four months into a 5 year probation and you are already saying that we should forget? Chris Brown will live with what happened in that car the rest of his life, but so will she. To blame her for going back is irresponsible. No matter how may bad decisions she made, she doesn’t deserve what she got. If he had raped her, would you have blamed her for being in a car alone with him? I sure hope not, but thats the mentality you seem to support.
Well said, Missy.
“Women set themselves up like pins to be knocked down”? Really? Blaming the victim is ridiculous. Do some research on the psychological abuse that comes hand-in-hand with domestic violence before you blather on and blame the victim for “allowing herself” to be abused. Not everything is so simple and easy.
“Women set themselves up like pins to be knocked down”. Wow, what a statement. Way to blame the victim.
Thank you, Simon, for mentioning 1) how brave it is of her to finally come forward, no matter what the timing. And 2)the disappointing and unexcusable comments being made by readers on this subject…it’s sick.
that’s funny how she is coming out now and when her album is coming out and when he is going on tour. She is a BIC.. that’s all. And I was a fan of both and still is.
i mean BIT.. lol
did she mention how she went upside his head first and she waited to speak publicly to promote her album
Yes i was hoping she wouls address that as well. Its not okay for a women to beat or hit a man. im not justifying CB actions but she needs to tell the whole truth.
Good to know thw two of you were in the car and know what happened. You should have called 911 though when you saw her hit him. Then none of this would have happened.
but Diane Sawyer would never ask. a foray into whether or not she ever instigated an incident by slapping him would be perceived as attacking her which I understand because what she endured was cruel and brutal but I do think its important to note that on the issue of domestic violence in what is considered a post feminist USA, women are still considered damsels in distress and DV against men is often swept under the already lumpy rug. As a woman, my attitude is anyone…ANYONE who puts their hands on me had better be prepared for the Beatrix Kiddo style a** whopping Imma unleash on them. ( I understand that not everyone is like this though)
Chichi, you really need to look at the whole picture, be more compassionate and put yourself in their shoes. Women of domestic violence, or any other type of abuse.. are not REQUIRED TO DO ANYTHING/or OBLIGED TOO. They have already been a VICTIM of force and should not be a VICTIM of force once again to reveal what they went through. Their main focus is to get better/and never put themselves in that position again. If they do speak out when they’re ready they should be applauded for their strength.. if they choose not too, that is their choice. If anything, it is the ABUSER’s “civic duty” to come forward and shed light on how manipulative, and dangerous these situations are. There has been so much backlash towards Rihanna, through this whole ordeal, so I commend her strength. But if she chose to not speak on it.. that is her decision.
pp919,
And what basis do you find your lax of required obligation? Do you know how many crimes can be stopped if one victim opens her mouth and says, I was a victim and a rapist or abuser is placed in jail? Do you have any idea how many men beat women all of their lives and move on from girlfriend to girlfriend or wife to wife and keep that pattern going until they die and pass that pattern onto their children?
To stand by and be morally blind is a horrid thing to do. Like I have stated and The Observer has stated a 15 yr. old girl was brutally raped until she was unconscious because not one single bystander said or did ANYTHING.
Your whole argument is based on diffusion of responsibility and that is why crime against women is so rampant.
Hear Hear pp919. Expecting a victim to come forward when they’re not ready is taking the same power and control from them that was stolen during the crime itself. I still question the timing of Rihanna’s interview, but she should not be forced to become the public face of domestic violence unless she chooses.
Okay I am sorry to say but, I have no sympathy for Rihanna at all. I mean I am 110% sure this is not brown’s 1st time hitting her. He’s done it before certianly. She should have left the 1st few times. Its not that much love in the Universe. She is a pretty young lady an has her own money, she didnt NEED chris. Nobody knows her situatuion but if she stayed around to keep letting it happen then shame on her. No i am not taking cb side, no man should ever put their hands on a female for any reason, but shame on her for staying with him. I wish the best for both them. They are human an it happens all day everyday……difference is there famous, and their situation just got exposed an it’s ashame that had to be her wake up call to leave him!
You might want to spend more time learning about why people stay. On average, it takes an abused person 5-6 times to leave their partner. It’s not just about money. It’s about emotions and the manipulation that abusers are really good at. Everybody thinks that they’d leave right away, that they’d do better than Rihanna and other abused people, until they’re in the situation themselves and find it all very confusing.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
You are right, but maybe thats where the problem starts. Rihanna or any other woman should have been more strong willed to not have let this man manipulate her into staying with him. When thins start to get physical, your intake on the relationship should change. Some ladies will let a man do that an some wont, especially do it an get away with it. God uses these girls as exampels. Even Rihanna said herself it can happen to anyone. I just have no sympathy for these women……solely because they dont get up an leave…..1 time okay maybe he was just upset. But she said 8 or 9 times I mean c’mon!
Cheri-You don’t get physical abuse without some psychological abuse thrown in. A lot of very smart women are victims to abuse, and they stay. And many (eventually) leave. Blaming the victim doesn’t solve anything. The crime shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
“I wish the best for both of them” and “if she stayed around to keep letting it happen, then shame on her.” Not once did you say shame on him for assaulting her. A very telling statement and a sad example of one of the MANY reasons that domestic violence do not come forward sooner. “Oh, he hit you before? Shame on you.”
You hit it right on the head!!!!
That’s because people don’t expect men to change. It’s the same reason why people make excuses for their boyfriends cheating or porn addictions.
Oh, well every man does it so I can’t expect him to be different. However, you would think that a woman would know better than to be with a man who beats her. I guess women are held to a higher standard, it is what it is.
Well said, Simon. Well said.
Some of you posters are idiots. You cry because she’s talking about it when she has an album to promote. And I’m sure you’d be equally upset if she didn’t say anything about it while promoting her album.
Like someone mentioned earlier, it’s the elephant in the room and it has to be addressed. I doubt Rihanna wants to become the face for domestic violence, Lord knows I wouldn’t want to be. But she also understands that a lot of young girls look up to her. All she can do is tell her story in hopes that these young girls learn from her mistakes.
I personally wouldn’t be upset if she didn’t discuss it – in fact I would give her a standing ovation for keeping her personal business personal. There is so much she could do and say that would be equally as effective. Film a public service announcement. Donate a portion of her CD sales to a domestic violence non-profit. Acknowledge it happened and then move on. Sorry, but I stopped reading US and People magazine because I don’t need to know how F’ed UP other people are to make myself feel better. I am smart enough to know that everyone – including celebrities – has their problems and that life is not perfect for anyone. I don’t need to know what happened in that car – and frankly nobody else besides the two of them does. She is telling this story in this manner to promote her CD – PERIOD. And while I am sure there are dellusional people out there that think she’s doing someone a favor the dfact iss she’s not – she is doing this for herself.
I say then good for her, for getting something out of this awful mess.
BRAVE? This is BRAVE? If she was so damn brave and such a VICTIM then why would they go to Diddy’s house for a weekend getaway after this fiasco? I sure would go Jet Skiing with my husband after beating me to a pulp.
Rihanna is a victim here, yes. Of herself. Nobody twisted her arm and told her to be with that man. That was her choice. She was a clingy, insecure woman, where there were reports of her stopping video shoots because she couldnt see him standing near the director, and running off the set every time he went to use the bathroom, or talk on the phone.
Not saying that I condone Chris hitting her, but she definately fed the gas to the flame. She was controlling. And that is ABUSE in a relationship. So is he not a victim here as well?
As mentioned by another poster and Rihanna, it takes multiple times for someone in an abused relationship to leave.
Also, love can be very blinding. Time and time I’ve said to myself that I would never, I could never – then it actually happens to me.
If this hasn’t happened to you, you won’t ever understand
WHAT A DOUBLE STANDARD!!! You blame Rhianna for being clingy, insecure, etc. Then isn’t it HID fault that HE didn’t leave HER?!?! You blame Rhianna for staying with someone who hit her. By your nutty logic, then should Chris be blamed for staying with this crazy girl and letting things escalate to a point where he had no “choice” but to smack her around? You keep saying that you don’t condome his actions., but clearly you don’t condemn them – which is the same thoing really.
What happens when a man tries to leave a clingy, obsessed, controlling, and disturbed woman?
Answer: “…911 whats your emergency?….”
Woman: “…I was assaulted….”
Sass, you need to do your research on false reporting. It’s a very (VERY) low percentage of reported crime (assault or otherwise).
Sorry, but I do have to comment. In her the previous segment, even she says that she regrets going back to him – that she’s embarrassed that she did so.
Honestly, between the sudden media attention and trying to get over it- it doesn’t surprise me that she went back. She was looking for something familiar in all that mess, and it was him. Was it right? No. But it’s what happens with plenty of less famous women who are abused. And she’s at least admitting now that she can see that it wasn’t the right thing to do.
Nope, being clingy isn’t abuse. Hitting someone in the face, however, is abusive. If he didn’t like her following him around constantly, he had two options, 1) Talk to her about it, or 2) Break up with her. She didn’t feed gas to the flame. Abusing her is NEVER an appropriate response.
Thank you simon for mentioning how people keep minimizing chris’s actions. That pisses me off and frustrates me when people do that, Especially some people in the music industry. I really dont like how people are so quick to forgive chris brown but to this day still jump down kanye west’s throat for what he did to taylor swift. So bazackwards. we as a nation need to get our priorities straight. I’m glad rihanna is coming forward to share her story.i know it couldn’t have been easy.I dont know if i’ll ever be able to like chris brown again.
Police Report “…allegedly tried to force his girlfriend out of the Lamborghini, and hit her head against the passenger window.
Rihanna then “turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand,” says the paperwork. “He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand.”
According to the notes taken by Detective De Shon Andrews, blood filled Rihanna’s mouth. Brown, 19, allegedly told her, “I’m going to beat the s— out of you when we get home. You wait and see!” Rihanna called her assistant and left a message saying, “I am on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there.” The police notes say that prompted Brown to reply: “You just did the stupidest thing ever. Now I’m really going to kill you.”
The report also says that Brown bit Rihanna and put her in a headlock, and that she almost lost consciousness.
“Brown resumed punching [Rihanna] and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face,” according to the notes. “She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown.”
Eventually, Rihanna began screaming for help and Brown got out of the car, according to the notes. A nearby resident heard the calls for help and called 911.” …Enough said. This was clearly a brutal assault. When she wants to talk about it is up to her. That she IS talking about it is to be lauded. This kind of violence goes on ALL THE TIME. Those who make excuses for it are either ignorant or callous beyond belief.
Lets back up a little bit. Did she or did she not…provoke him? You forgot the part of her SNATCHING his cell phone, reading his text messages out loud, and threatning to call the “other woman”.
She didnt deserved to be beat up like that but nobody wakes up and says “im gonna beat the sh– out of my girl today. ”
(Some) women PROVOKE men to become abusive. A real man walks away, but Chris Brown and Rihanna are KIDS. Kids playing house trying to be like adults…and they both got burned in the end.
Damn!
Thank you Sass. U are like the only person on here making sense. I doubt Chris just said, Rihanna – I’m tired of you talking so I’m going to whoop your a$$ in this car while I am driving. Right.
When you say it like that, you sort of strip the issue bare of all BS. She was wrong, he was WRONGER. women need to be stronger and not allow the cycle to continue. more easily said than done at the end of the day unfortunately
Oh my god! She snatched his cell phone so that gave him reason to beat the crap out of her?! You’re as sad and pathetic a person as Chris Brown is. Is threatning to call “the other woman” a reason to bite, punch, and choke another human being??? It doesn’t matter that you consider them kids..they are not. They’re what, 19-20 yrs. old? What 19 yr. old guy thinks its ok to hit a woman?? None that I know of because usually after 7-8 boys know better than to hit girls.
That is beyond idiotic. At 18 we fight in wars and vote and yet your saying that Chris’ actions are somehow excusable because he’s a teenager? So its not his fault because she or may not have started it and its not his fault because he’s young and it’s not his fault that he REPEATEDLY punched her in the face while she tried to protect herself because of what? Video game violence, maybe? No, no, I got it! He wasn’t breastfed as a child! That’s it! Any excuse will do as long as we don’t have to hold abusers accountable. Pathetic.
Uh, Sass, you should probably get off the computer and go check on your woman. I don’t think she loaded the dishwasher correctly and she also used the phone without asking, so I’m guessing she needs a beat down. I mean sounds like she deserved. Provoked you, right?
Sass, that is the most disgusting comment I’ve read so far on this site. You revolt me.
Hershey, I do not think anyone is trying to downplay what Chris Brown did. we all know he was wrong wrong wrong. I personally think he should have gotten jail time in fact but I think the point Elle and Sass are trying to make is that just as he was absolutely, irrefutably wrong to attack her the way he did, if she did in fact slap him or physically acost him first then she too was at fault. The way I learned it was that hitting was wrong period. it was wrong when my brother did it and it was wrong when I did it as kids(under 7 years of age). also I think they’re trying to say its not like they were just sitting in silence riding along, la di dah, and then Chris just snapped and starting hitting her. The police report shows that it started with an argument. People (men especially) need to learn to walk away….it is why God invented sportsbars.
Sass and TheObserver are saying that Rihanna provoked Chris Brown, making her at fault for the assault. In other words, she is to blame and could have prevented it. It is this kind of faulty logic that keeps victims of domestic violence from leaving, from coming forward, and from talking about the abuse. Men who beat women will do it REGARDLESS of what the women do. NOTHING the women do will prevent it and NOTHING they do “provokes” it. The women’s actions or non-actions are just an excuse for the violence. Please stop justifying the criminals and start supporting the victims.
No No No….I never said she was at fault for the assault. Rihanna did not deserve what happened to her. i am simply saying that ‘if’ she did hit him first, slap him or whatever, that she is wrong. What Chris Brown should have done is stopped the car, get out and walk away. There are no excuses for violence, whether its a slap or a punch or a chokehold. I’m sure JT if a member of your gender hit you or slap you, people would think it commonplace to retalitate or defend yourself when in fact if in any situation….any situation someone hits you the right thing to do is walk away and call the police. I am not justifying criminals…like I’ve said I think he should have gotten jail time in fact, I am just saying one simple thing. whether you are a woman or a man, gay, straight, black, white, old, young, weak, strong, big or small… IT IS WRONG TO HIT!
Period.
Wow, snatchinig a cell phone deserves a beating? Are you even serious? We have the expression “Pick on someone your own size” for a reason. Couples get into similar fights all the time, the yelling, the pushing, the accusations….but it takes a real D bag to take things further.
Sass-If you are seriously justifying someone being beaten up for “snatching a cell phone”, then I feel incredibly sorry for any women you encounter in your life. By the way, if he’s old enough to vote and fight in a war, then he’s not a kid.
My comment is this. I think Chris and Rihanna had a fight and he won. I think it’s wrong that they had an altercation that was so violent but I am pretty sure that Rihanna got some licks in and I wouldn’t doubt that she started it. He got a text from a woman and he lied about it. She said herself that she wouldn’t let it go. I am sure it wasn’t a case of “Well honey, I want to know the truth. Who is she Chris?” And then he turns into Mike Tyson and starts biting her. She probably tried to grab the phone or she hit him first. I am not saying that it justifies what he did. But a VICTIM she is not. She was a PARTICIPANT and I don’t care what anybody says. My mother taught me that if you raise your hand to hit someone or destroy their property, man or woman, be prepared to put your dukes up. Everything she is saying sounds JUST like the same script they preach at Domestic Violence Centers. They’ve brainwashed her into absolving herself of any responsibility by hammering into her head, NO MAN has the right.. NO WOMAN deserves. I’m a woman and I disagree. There are A LOT of women who deserve ass whoopings.I think Rihanna is one of them. I don’t care what anyone says.She hit that dude first.
Wow, just wow. That might be true, if you’re Buffy the Vampire Slayer…
News flash…men and women are not physically the same. A stronger person hitting (with full force) a weaker person is not right, regardless of who started it. The stronger person could use that strength to restrain the weaker, not beat.
so if two dude get into a fight and one is bigger than the other then its unfair. WHATEVER!!!
Funny. I hadn’t heard there was a 3rd person in the car with them that night. You don’t know what happened. Don’t pretend that you do. (And if she did hit him first…1. There’s a difference between defense and offense. 2. He could have gotten out of the car and called the police. Two wrongs don’t make a right – maybe your mother should have taught you that.)
I know this isn’t the popular oppinion here, but I agree with what you are saying. People have a tendency to break this down to man vs. woman but I personally believe that when it comes to physical violence it doesn’t matter – you hit someone you best expect to get hit back. Now hopefully it goes something more like this – you hit someone and they step back and tell you that what you are doing is unacceptable and then remove themselves from the situation. We all know it doesn’t go that way. What Chris Brown did is horrible and disgusting and I think he is a vile human being. However, I also feel that if Rhianna assaulted him first that he has the right to defend himself. Did she deserve to be beaten? No. He should have pulled the car over and pushed her ass to the curb and left her there. But she has a part in this as well and it disturbs me that people aren’t expecting her to take responsibility for her part in this – because she played a part as well.
that would be all well and good, except that chris didnt end up in a hospital, rihanna did. i dont care if she slapped him or “provoked” him. Given his fathers history of abuse, He should’ve manned up and walked away.
sad for you, Elle. Sadder for anybody who is in your social/familial orbit. Scary dangerous thinking you have there. I hope you do not have any children.
It sounds as if your mother had her own issues. Too bad they got passed down to the next generation.
Both she and you appear to be trash. With attitudes like that, I would be surprised if you have not been in trouble with the law yourselves?
I’m sorry. Just sad for you Elle that this is how you see it. I agree, that everyone should have behaved… but honestly, arguments escalate. In a healthy relationship though, it gets to the point where both parties walk away to get some air. It doesn’t cross into territory where one person savagely beats and bites the other. Even if she slapped him, it doesn’t justify Chris Brown’s reaction, nor does stop her from being a victim.
Elle-I’m sorry, but I think the whole “eye for an eye” justification is a load of crap. So what if she slapped him? He beat her up BADLY. That’s hardly the same response she gave to him. He’s a lot bigger than her, he’s probably hit her before, and there is NEVER justification for abuse. Never.
To Sally in Chicago,
I can’t even believe what your saying, what does age have to do with it. Don’t downsize what he did just because he’s 19 years old. He knows it’s wrong and for you to justify his actions because he’s a teen is so sad to me.
i agree with capo.
What ever people – it’s time to move on – no more interviews – just get domestic violence counseling and move on – to the person who said publicity stunt – yes – this is what it has turned out to be – who (Rihanna or Chris) can keep this in the headlines longer
I FEEL THAT CHRIS WAS DEAD WRONG FOR BEATIN HER THAT WAY BUT SHE SHOULD’NT HAVE PROVOKED IT, I FEEL HER TRYING TO GET HIM TO LOOK AT THE PHONE WHLE HE WAS DRIVING WAS ARREVATING AND PROVOKING BUT HE DIDN’T HAVE TO HANDLE IT THE WAY HE DID BUT SHE COULD’VE WAITED OR TOLD HIM TO PULL OVER B/C WHAT IF HE GOT INTO A ACCIDENT THEY BOTH WOULD HAVE HAD SOME BUMPS AND BRUISES
what you took out of this incident, aujl, really worries me :/
It’s not so much the telling that needs to happen, it’s the action of prevention that needs to occur.
Amen
ELLE, you sound like an idiot. Most probably a victim yourself of domestic violence yourself. Unless you were in the college with these 2 young people, how the hell would you know who hit who first you judgemental Witch. There is never any justification, ever for hitting a woman, irregardless of whether or not she slapped him or what you dumb biaaaatch!
so if someone slapped you….you’d just walk away? you would not retaliate? if you and a woman were arguing, and she slapped you, you walk away? right? ( I would call the police)
Wow, you are so well spoken.
Hey KAI— so what’s the justification for VERBAL abuse???????????
Aside all this.. they both work for same Recording company and sales went down after all the drama for brown. So at this point make it up with Rihannas truth. Plus im pretty sure they’ve told Brown to shut up and take it as a punishment
Chris Brown is signed to Sony/BMG and Rihanna is signed to Universal.
Chris is a punk. Nickname “beat down chris brown” He needs a Dad, to whip his ass. “Grow a set of balls Chris!”
it was probably a male father figure whipping him that lead to all this mess….so your reasoning……
Funny thing is she wasnt even his girlfreind at the time, they were made to go to an industry event by management, we’ll get the other half of this story next week when Chris puts her under the bus with him, I dont condone domestic abuse, but nor am i going to elevate a fight between a two 20yr old to that of cases where women get beat up for breakfast lunch and dinner, I’m sorry call me insensitive but i cant help but think there is more too it than just this text, and more so maybe we want too paint the women as a victim all the time that we ignore or make fun boys in the same situation, I think were actully letting the one with the real problem walk, I just think the way it went down was this is the last time you goin put your hands on me like that, if your big enough to hit a boy be prepared too get hit back, which would have been this case if they werent celebs, and where is his mugshot conviently we’ve never seen it…y is that
i so agree …my 5 year old son knows to not hit a girl and knows to not let one hit him…whats right is right and whats wrong is wrong.. i think both their teams should have told them to take a break from each other before this escalated to that point. If I were CB’s mom he would have left her alone a long time ago
You ‘think’ a lot and know very little. Your conjecture shows your ugly misogynism as plainly as a mandrill’s arse-which is what I ‘think’ about your intellectual value based on your disgusting ghetto-slang display.
All you women put yourself in Rihanna’s place. let you man beat you up till you bleed and then tell me how you feel or how you like being hurt.
They are selling ads with these types of interviews. How much they paid her for the interview? this is business simply business. I dont have cable but I was watching some Euro Celebrity TV channels via ( LoggTV.com ) internet television and they were commenting on these type of scandals , money, auto bio books and paid interviews. The media wants to sell no matter what , they only wants to sell.