Robin Givens: Rihanna's Story Is "My Story"

Us Magazine - March 11, 2009 6:39 PM PDT
Story photo: Robin Givens: Rihanna's Story Is Us Magazine
Robin Givens -- who famously survived an abusive relationship with Mike Tyson -- says Rihanna 's situation with Chris Brown brings back horrific memories.

Speaking Tuesday on CNN's Larry King Live, Givens, 44, said it was hard hearing the news that Brown, 19, allegedly attacked Rihanna , 21, last month.

"Even sitting now ... it shakes you up. You know, you begin to sweat. You begin to feel sad all over. ... It's hard to sit here," she said.

"I've spoken to women every[where] ... and what's amazing is that I find that my story is their story; their story is my story -- down to the details," she went on. "He dragged me down the hall by my hair. He pulled me out of bed by my panties. He would like to choke me. He would kick."

She added, "When I wrote my book [2007's Grace Will Lead Me Home], I was somewhere talking about something. And a woman came up to me and she said I wanted you to stop talking because I felt like everybody would know that you were talking about me."

See photos of Rihanna through the years

Givens alleged Tyson -- who was never convicted of domestic abuse -- hit her for the first time before they wed in 1988.

The violence escalated: He once threw her up against the wall, punched her in the head, often swung at her and even threatened to kill her.

Despite this, she said she always found herself taking Tyson back.

"All of a sudden this person, this man that you love, that's claiming his love for you, is crying, you know?" she said.

"And then you're consoling them. And it just becomes, 'I'll never, ever, ever do it again. ... I just love you so much. It's so hard for me to handle how much I love you.' And it just begins [again]," she continued.

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Tyson, she said, also promised her "he was going to get help. And I loved him. I wanted to make it work. I was very bonded. And it's hard to be bonded and save yourself at the same time."

She divorced Tyson in 1989. (She has said her ex, Brad Pitt , consoled her through the ordeal.)

Givens said she worries that some may say Rihanna provoked Brown to attack her after getting into an argument with him about a text message he received on the night of the assault.

"I mean, I don't know why in our society that is, that we blame the victim," she said.

See photos of Chris and Rihanna through the years

Before the interview ended, Givens delivered a strong message to the singer: "As difficult as this all is, she does not have to answer to the media. She doesn't have to explain it. She has to take care of herself."

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comments 1-10 of 103  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • robin givens is a washed up old haag ,are you still harpin on somethin that happen to you like a gazillion years ago , let it go , or youll rot inside ,mike is going to get what he deserve, he doesnt need you anymore to help him
    report abuseposted November 12, 2009 4:49 AM PST
  • kristinah
    i think that if people dont kne wat there r talking about than they should sit back and just shut up. and no body man r woman should have to go through any body hitting em.
    report abuseposted July 8, 2009 3:24 PM PDT
  • hungry
    wait until it happens to someone you care about........
    report abuseposted June 11, 2009 7:47 PM PDT
  • justmyopinion
    All of you must be VERY young. You have no compassion for mankind, just no empathy at all. I have never been abused in ANY way; however, I don't pretend to know what these women have been through, how they feel or how they heal themselves. This epedimic of abuse is so prominent and widespread in every walk of life. If it was as easy as all of you say it wouldn't be such an epidemic
    report abuseposted June 10, 2009 1:06 PM PDT
  • justmyopinion
    All of you must be VERY young. You have no compassion for mankind, just no empathy at all. I have never been abused in ANY way; however, I don't pretend to know what these women have been through, how they feel or how they heal themselves. This epedimic of abuse is so prominent and widespread in every walk of life. If it was as easy as all of you say it wouldn't be such an epidemic
    report abuseposted June 10, 2009 1:00 PM PDT
  • Jeremy
    O boy! Princess, you're blatently stupid, saying she started it, doesn't matter .. no one deserves to be beaten like that. I love CB - Your comments are that of a mentally challenged ape, you didnt see the pictures? Hardcore Honestly - sorry for your ignorance on the subject, try reading sometime idiot .... She goes back because abuser mentally break down there victims first ..
    report abuseposted March 16, 2009 9:18 PM PDT
  • shante
    So what are these dumb biyatches doing for the "community"?
    report abuseposted March 15, 2009 5:11 PM PDT
  • hardcore honesty
    Wow-u took him back! Why even bother playing the victim card when you put yourself in that position to be abused again. The first time your a victim, everytime after that-your just an idiot. There's no love in fear.
    report abuseposted March 13, 2009 1:54 PM PDT
  • sdsfdsdss
    she went out with howard stern, she is a whore...
    report abuseposted March 13, 2009 11:45 AM PDT
  • harmony
    The truth hurts though,but for a brother hitting a sister,then Chris deserves a serious ass thrashing...He disappoints me so badly..Shame on u man and cover ur face in shame dawg.
    report abuseposted March 12, 2009 1:41 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 103  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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