Rihanna: "I Went to Sleep as Rihanna and Woke Up as Britney Spears"

Us Magazine - November 3, 2009 6:14 AM PST
Story photo: Rihanna: Matthias Vriens-McGrath for GLAMOURUs Magazine

Glamour has named Rihanna one of its Women of the Year -- but 2009 has been anything but breezy for the R&B star.

She breaks her silence to the magazine about her brutal February beating at the hands of her then-boyfriend, singer Chris Brown.

See how Rihanna has evolved over the years

"It has taught me so much," Rihanna says of the assault and its aftermath. "I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears. That was the level of media chaos that happened the next day. It was like, What, there are helicopters circling my house? There are 100 people in my cul-de-sac? What do you mean, I cant go back home?"

The 21 year-old (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty) points out that she was particularly humiliated by photos of her badly bruised face leaking onto the Internet.

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"That is not a photo you would show to anybody," she says. "I felt completely taken advantage of . . . like people were making it into a fun topic . . . and it's my life. I was disappointed, especially when I found out the photo was [supposedly leaked by] two women."

And although the musician (her new album Rated R debuts this month) praises the unwavering support of friends and family throughout the ordeal, she's also blunt about her state of mind in those dark days.

The way they were: see a slideshow of Rihanna and Chris Brown's relationship

"At some point," she admits, "you are there alone. It's a lonely place to be -- no one can understand."

One of her pillars of support? Her mom, who separated from her father when Rihanna was eight. "My mom gave us the tools to survive," she says. "I helped her raise my [youngest] brother, because my mom was working all the time. He's my favorite."

Check out today's latest star shots

Now considered a fashion icon, she wants to be another kind of hero: "Domestic violence is a big secret," she says. "My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that."

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comments 1-10 of 11  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • __A_YAHOO_USER__
    Wow,Search " My Discount Bag " on google to get the designer luxury bags,My discount bag is just for fashion ladies.As louis vuitton ,chanel,Hermes,etc.Free wallet promotion is now.GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 11:14 AM PST
  • Lindsay
    I found a great dating site________S e e k i n g R i c h . C o m________. The best dating club for seeking the rich singles, sexy beauties and even hot celebs.. what's the most important is that you dont have to be a millionaire.but you can meet one. I think everyone need to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy .You should check it out!!! GGGGGGG
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 10:57 AM PST
  • Lindsay
    I found a great dating site________S e e k i n g R i c h . C o m________. The best dating club for seeking the rich singles, sexy beauties and even hot celebs.. what's the most important is that you dont have to be a millionaire.but you can meet one. I think everyone need to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy .You should check it out!!! GGGGGGG
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 10:57 AM PST
  • Maggy C
    Kimberly doesn't sound stupid at all.... If you want respect you need to give it. She hit him first even after he asked her to get out the car. She kept arguing and poking him with her nails in his face and eyes. Abuse shouldn't be tolerated but you shouldn't start it either.
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 9:13 AM PST
  • __A_YAHOO_USER__
    Wow,$98 to get the designer luxury bags,ＮＩＣＥＬＵＸＵＲＹＢＡＧＳ。ＣＯＭ is just for fashion ladies.As louis vuitton ,chanel,Hermes,etc.Free wallet promotion is now.GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 8:48 AM PST
  • __A_YAHOO_USER__
    Wow,$98 to get the designer luxury bags,ＮＩＣＥＬＵＸＵＲＹＢＡＧＳ。ＣＯＭ is just for fashion ladies.As louis vuitton ,chanel,Hermes,etc.Free wallet promotion is now.GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 8:48 AM PST
  • mrswcp3
    Funny Kimberly how u say women should not b beat & in the same breath defend him. Under no circumstances shld a man put his hands on a women unless he is fighting for his life. Chris was not fighting for his life. He was busted for cheating. Shld he b 4given bcus he young & stupid..yes..we all make mistakes..but that does not excuse his behavior. He was wrong. Point blank. stop mak
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 7:19 AM PST
  • kgm
    Kimberly, you sound stupid.
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 7:15 AM PST
  • Kimberly
    NO WOMAN SHOULD BE AT THE OTHER END OF A MANS HAND BUT RHIANNA YOU ARE NOT COMPLETELY INNOSENT HERE THIS YOUNG MAN WAS IN THE LIME LIGHT JUST LIKE YOU AND MAYBE COULD HANDLE THIS SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP YOU TWO YOUNG PEOPLE WAS IN AND WHEN HIS CELL PHONE RANG WITH ANOTHER WOMEN ON IT AND YOU JUMP ALL OVER HIM ABOUT IT HE PANIC . LESSON IS RESPECT RESPECT EACH OTHER AND THEIR PRIVACY
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 7:03 AM PST
  • Kimberly
    NO WOMAN SHOULD BE AT THE OTHER END OF A MANS HAND BUT RHIANNA YOU ARE NOT COMPLETELY INNOSENT HERE THIS YOUNG MAN WAS IN THE LIME LIGHT JUST LIKE YOU AND MAYBE COULD HANDLE THIS SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP YOU TWO YOUNG PEOPLE WAS IN AND WHEN HIS CELL PHONE RANG WITH ANOTHER WOMEN ON IT AND YOU JUMP ALL OVER HIM ABOUT IT HE PANIC . LESSON IS RESPECT RESPECT EACH OTHER AND THEIR PRIVACY
    report abuseposted November 3, 2009 7:03 AM PST
comments 1-10 of 11  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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