LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop singer Rihanna was named Woman of the Year by Glamour magazine on Tuesday after an attack at the hands of boyfriend Chris Brown that she said changed her life overnight.
"I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears. That was the level of media chaos that happened the next day," the 21 year-old singer said in her first interview since the assault in February.
The R&B singer told the December issue of Glamour magazine that she felt humiliated when a photo of her bruised and bloodied face was leaked to the media, but that she wanted to use the incident to alert young women to the "big secret" of abusive relationships.
"It was humiliating: that is not a photo you would show to anybody," she said. "I felt completely taken advantage of. I felt like people were making it into a fun topic on the Internet, and it's my life.
Brown, 20, was one of the fastest rising young R&B artists in the United States before his assault on his girlfriend of about a year on the eve of the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
He was sentenced to five years probation and community service in August and has publicly apologized.
Rihanna, whose hits include "Umbrella" and "Disturbia" said the positive outcome of the story grabbing worldwide attention was that she could now speak up on behalf of young women in similar situations.
"Teenage girls can't tell their parents that their boyfriend beats them up...It's one of the things we (women) hide because it's embarrassing.
"I want to give as much insight as I can to young women because I feel like I represent a voice that isn't really heard. Now I can help speak for those women," she said.
Glamour editor-in-chief Cini Leive said the magazine had chosen Rihanna as its Woman of the Year because "in breaking her silence about what she calls the 'big secret' of domestic violence, she is sending an important message to young women that they too can move on, and succeed after personal challenges."
Was Rihanna was right to talk about her experience? Leave your comments below.
Rihanna, who is about to release a new album "Rated R", said she had "put everything I've wanted to say for the past eight months into my music", adding "it's super fearless -- which is exactly how I feel right now."
The album's first single, "Russian Roulette," finds her singing about a tumultuous relationship and ends with an ominous gunshot.
Rihanna has also recorded a TV interview, which is due to be aired on ABC's "Good Morning America" program on Thursday and Friday.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)
Rihanna "humiliated" by leaked photo after attack
Reuters © Enlarge photo
27 Comments
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Francis 09:19am Thursday 05th November 2009 EST Report AbuseKaz- I have no support for violence. But Too much love towards someone you really love can be Dangerous.This could be the case for chris brown towards Rihanna.
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Francis 09:09am Thursday 05th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Love makes the difference .love unites and make peace.
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Kaz 01:08pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abusewith that evidence she had no choice but to tell everyone! she didn't say its ongoing and she went back to him! Does that sound like someone who should be hailed spokes person for those abused?
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Kaz 01:05pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
She went back to him?! Yes its bad what happened, yes he should get into trouble for it. But I dont think she should get awards for being outed then hailed as our "voice" because she then spoke up! One attack isn't abuse, ongoing ones are.
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Kaz 01:01pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Francis, I hope for the sake of all women out there that you live a long and misserable life ALONE! I wonder if you people have been scared that someone you think you care about might actually kill you! Try staring death in the face everyday!
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Kaz 12:56pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
She doesn't have to live with it as an ongoing thing and if she does, shes not "voicing" that is she? I congadulate her strength to tell when she did, but honestly I don't think she's been in our world just yet or at least not ready to voice it all without h ...
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gemmapastulero 12:56pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
I admire you so much Rihanna, you are such a brave woman and you have a positive outlook in your life. You are a good example to those women who are beaten there boyfriend or husband so long and they couldn't speak out because the feeling that if somebody know about the story maybe something ...
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Kaz 12:53pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
dam stupid post system! Im trying to say I'd hail the woman I described before, who leaves on her own bat no matter the worries or reasons not to. Not someone who gets outted, gets an award and a record deal for what? To our knowlege, one attack! Bad yes, but she doesn't have to live ...
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Kaz 12:50pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
I'll Hail her! Ginny looks like shes the only one here who might understand what it actually feels like, how betrayed and worthless you feel when someone your close to violates trust and belts the crap out of you! To wonder if her will stop before causing permanent damage!
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Kaz 12:48pm Wednesday 04th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Ginny seems to be the only one in this lot who might actually know and understand how it actually feels to be scared for your life! To wonder if he'll stop before 1 too many hits or kicks becomes permanent damage or even death! And Francis? In this day and age I would have thought you would ...
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