Rihanna Opens Up To Glamour. Kind Of.
Filed under: Rihanna > Chris Brown
With 20 days to go until her so-called "comeback" album, Rated R is released, Rihanna is finally speaking out about what has happened in the past year.
Before her GMA and 20/20 special this week, RiRi got a chance to chat with Glamour magazine.
The deets aren't that juicy, but she does touch on the subject of "the incident" with Beat-Her-Down and her new album.
Here are some HIGHlights for her interview:
Glamour: Let’s talk about this past year—you’ve obviously been through some difficult things. How did the people around you help you cope?
Rihanna: My friends and family have been extremely supportive, and everyone has been there for me. But at some point you are there alone. It’s a lonely place to be—no one can understand. That’s when you get close to God.G: Are you referring to the [Chris Brown] incident?
R: I am talking about starting with the night [before] the Grammys and then on. That was not the only thing that occurred this year. The picture leaking…it was one thing after another.G: You’re talking about the photo [reportedly of Rihanna’s injured face taken by police after Brown assaulted her] that was allegedly leaked by cops. You handled that so well; you kept silent in the press.
R: It was humiliating; that is not a photo you would show to anybody. 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. I was disappointed, especially when I found out the photo was [supposedly leaked by] two women.G: How has this event changed you as a person, as a woman?
Rihanna: I’m stronger, wiser and more aware. You don’t realize how much your decisions affect people you don’t even know, like fans.G: Do you feel that this experience has laid the groundwork for coping with anything so public again?
R: It has taught me so much. I felt like 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 can’t go back home?G: If you could offer a message to the millions of young women who look up to you, what would you tell someone who found herself in a similar situation?
R: Domestic violence is a big secret. No kid goes around and lets people know their parents fight. Teenage girls can’t tell their parents that their boyfriend beat them up. You don’t dare let your neighbor know that you fight. It’s one of the things we [women] will hide, because it’s embarrassing. 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. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn’t heard. Now I can help speak for those women.G: I think that’s a great message. What about your new album? What’s it like?
R: I was involved in a lot of the writing. I put everything I’ve wanted to say for the past eight months into my music. The songs are really personal. It’s rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s really hip-hop: If Lil’ Wayne and Kings of Leon like my album, then I’ll feel good. I would not change anything about it. Even if people don’t love it, I made exactly the piece of art that I wanted to make. It’s super fearless—which is exactly how I feel right now. I am in a really good place.
We're happy that RiRi is in a good place and she loves her album. We just hope she's not disappointed when a LOT of people disagree with her.
Can't wait to hear what she has to say later this week!
She leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
oh shes opening up alright…shes gonna be opening alot she needs that album to sell…she didnt need all that time ,she was showing her ass and titties all over the place after that …im sure she didnt need more time ..but she needed for people to wonder "why isnt she talking" for a long time so then when she does talk it will be a huge thing and her album will get attention im sure after that interview she does with diane she will mention her album …im on to her..if the police hadnt found out she probably would still be with chris brown …if people didnt make a big deal out of it she would probably still be with him…but she knew that once people found out and if she goes back to him her career would be over.tsk tsk tsk
Good interview…it kinda bugs me that she's only talking about this first now when her album is coming out. Promotional blitz.
Good for her. I hope it's true.
I love rihanna, and i am really happy for her. and i wish her all the best. I already know that all of the haters are going to come out, just like on all of the blogs, and ask why she didn't speak sooner, well it takes time for anyone to come out and speak, ppl like us expect the celebrity to come out the next day after an incident and speak. there is something called a healing process. plus maybe she didn't want to speak the same time chris was going on his publicity tour. and as for perez i love your site but i noticed that you hate all of rihannas stuff, granted everything is not great but, lady gagas stuff is not that hot either. but you will make a huge deal out her stuff, when it is whack. and since there albums drop the same day, we know who you will be supporting, so why not talk trash about ri ri's album, so no one will buy it. smart. lol not.
Re: Cyber-bullies get hit – why is that?
She thinks something positive came out of this!?!? She's representing a voice that isn't heard!?!? What a load of shit! She's kept completely silent, going out of her way to make sure Chris Brown only got a slap on the wrist!! The only reason she's not with him is because it would ruin her career!!! Makes me want to throw up.
Why is it that I can just picture her perched on Robert Blake's shoulder?
GET THIS ANNOYING ALEXA FUCKING CHUNG CHICK OFF OF THE PAGE. MOTHER FUCK.
"art" ? how Kanye like !
oh bitch please
it's called publicity and w/ the shitty reviews the albums getting she better start talking about something…….and bullshit to the person that said "it's a healing process" and "it takes time"……funny how her "healing process" is over when her album drops……naivety's a bitch………
I love her. Re: jones19 – maybe this is when she felt ready to talk about it? screw you.
Big yawn! No PR blitz can save her album. Too bad there is no equivalent to "Direct To DVD" for music.
Very strong statement.
wow she looks like a normal girl instead of a wannabe bondage fien . . . lol
so far her album sounds lame, this interview didnt help at all u know they told her to say everything. will see what she has to say in the interview.
wtf? thats not a comback. mariah the emanciaption of mimi was a comebcak. even britney spears circus was a "comeback" because they both went through public breakdowns. rihanna just got hit thats all…….
Re: MISS CLEO – Lol.
I think she has the right attitude. I make music for myself and can't be bothered to know if people would like it because I'm pretty sure most wouldn't but I can't help love what I do. The mistake of people like Rihanna is pretending that they "can" be loved. This whole "I'm going to get on a magazine cover holding a big Love Me card" is something I don't get. And that's how I don't take seriously when Gaga claims to embody the avant-garde. Joseph Beuys is rolling in his grave to hear people say things like that.
poor rihanna, beaten up in a public street by a man she trusted.
chris brown should be drawn and quartered and then his existence erased from our collective memories.
she looks gorgeous in this cover, all she needs to do is grow her hair out
She looks beautiful on the Glamour cover.
Rhiana, please dress like this more often .. your hair & make-up too.
Tired of your HOOKER look
Re: Cyber-bullies get hit – #7 so true! i couldn't have said it better.
Her views on domestic abuse are wrong. So very wrong.
She thinks its embarrassing? It's embarrassing that she stuck by her man after the fact and hid from the spotlight she created for herself. She was humiliated when a picture was leaked, by woman? Are you kidding me? She has a voice, she should have used it! She is a very weak little girl and the perfect example of how men get away with beating up their woman.
she looks soooo cute on that cover!
beautiful cover!
Damn she's ugly. I don't trust her for some reason. And while her "music" is good… her singing is not great. But hey, that's typical today.
People! You are making assumptions. Look, I know that it's really hard to get passed the celebrity, but put yourself in that position…She probably had people telling her what to say and when to say it. Unlike Madonna and other established artists who have total control of their careers, people like Rihanna and Britney do not. They have handlers that basically decide for them the best course of action in all aspects of life. I'm sure she wanted to speak out, she just couldn't. Obviously things have changed and now she is finally setting the record straight. This is because she CAN"T talk about that stuff while the case is still going on! Now that he's been charged, it seems like Rihnna started going out and working. Sure she has an annoying voice, but give her a break. She just got the shit beaten out of her by someone she truly loved. Just imagine the boy that you love so much starting to go violent and start hurting you. How would you feel? I know I would be really sad that I was losing someone, yet at the same time, I would feel torn because I know I don't deserve this…Love is a scary thing sometime, especially an intense relationship.
While I agree that it's completely wrong for a man to beat the shit out of a woman… it's never ever okay… I also think it's wrong for bitchy little diva's to treat their men like shit. Chris could have saved himself and his career had he just pushed the ugly bitch out the car and dumped her ass. While she is the type you do just want to bitch slap, you just can't guys.
I'm not sure why she should feel that the post-beat pictures are embarrassing. Beat-her-down should be embarrassed, not her. I am certain if the pictures had not come out, he and his PR machine would have tried to minimize how badly he hurt her. I kind of get the feeling that she thinks that the media attention was worse than being beaten up by someone who supposedly loved her. Girlfriend better wake up.
This girl is a tool. She had an opportunity, a “teachable moment” as it were, as a public figure that went through a very tragic and life altering event to speak up against domestic violence. She did not. Instead of castigating her accuser or the brutal act itself she said nothing and did nothing. However, what she chose to do speaks volumes about her character or at least the state of the music business. Rihanna the public persona or Robyn the person chose to reach out to her attacker, get tattooed, attend movie premieres, dress in an increasingly outrageous and provocative fashion, give a lap dance (allegedly) to Justin Timberlake, and other self-aggrandizing behaviors. Her conduct should not come as a surprise since she (allegedly) got her start by sleeping with her musical mentor turned svengali.
The record industry, which is still largely run by men, took Robyn the person and turned her into Rihanna the object. Rihanna was once quoted as saying that she “…Wanted to be the black Madonna.” However, she doesn’t write her own songs, own her own publishing, sign her own checks, or run her own career. A lot of female artists go into the music business with their eyes wide shut. Seduced by the glamour, they are unprepared for the crushing reality of fame or dealing with the day-to-day responsibilities that a career in the music business entails. Robyn was not like a lamb to the slaughter, but she went to the altar willingly. Robyn wanted to be used and she is a willing tool. Therefore, she is suffering fools gladly. Sadly, Rihanna and Glamour magazine, a supposed bastion of female empowerment, are trying to make fools of the public by feeding us this bullsh*t.
Re: jellotime91 – There's no need to be rude. I was just stating my opinion. I think Rihanna is great but the timing for this is suspect, you gotta admit that.
I think she came off well in that interview. It just makes Chris Brown look worse. She seems more likely to take the high road than he does. Although, it wouldn't surprise me if she still wanted to be with him again.
IM READY TO TAKE ON ALL U BITCHES
1. RIHANNA IS TALENTED AND HER MUSIC IS GOOD AND PEREZ BECUZ U LIKE THE PSYCHOTIC LADY GAGA ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERYTHING RIHANNA DOES U SEEM 2 BASH… U R SO ANNOYING
2. WHY DO ALL OF U CONTINUE TO COMMENT UNDER HER POST IF U DONT LIKE HER
3. SHE HAS SAID "SHE WANTS TO BE THE BLACK MADONNA" HOWEVER WHEN DID MADONNA WRITE EVERYSONG SHE HAS AND WHEN DID HER VOICE BECOME SO POWERFUL… RIHANNA HAS THE MADONNA SWAG AND EDGE IS WHAT SHES SAYING
4. SHE A BEAUTIFUL GIRL, STYLE ICON, AND HER HAIR AND MAKE UP ARE FABULOUS
5. AND YAL TALK ABOUT THIS BUT YET AND STILL YAL ALL THOUGHT BAD ROMANCE WAS AMAZING… HOW LADY GAGA IS PATHETIC AND ALL SHE DOES IS BEG FOR ATTENTION AND PEREZ LIKE A DAMN DICKHEAD GIVES IT 2 HER
6. PEREZ JUST BECAUSE U LIKE A CELEB(LADY GAGA) DOESNT MEAN SHES THE BEST ARTIST BECUZ SHE CANNOT SING OR DANCE SHES JUST A FREAK OF FUCKIN NATURE
7. PEREZ I USED 2 BE A HUGE FAN OF URS I THOUGHT U ROCKED AND I ALWAYS DEFENDED U EVEN WITH THE WHOLE BEP SITUATION BUT CLEARLY U R JUST A CELEB GROUPIE HUNNY
Idiot. Trash. Used to like her, now she's just an idiot to me. AN idiot that got all beaten up and went back for more. Hope you get more then!
Re: jones19 – My exact thoughts.
Her body is amazing and looks amazing on tha cover. Shes a beautiful girl and I wish her all the best. Im glad that this album is personal and she did a lot of writing. Thats what an artist IS. Im more than happy that she traiding her poppy catchy tunes for something more real. I personally like that kind of music way more.
perez why dont u put out an album that u want to hear. i bet if rihanna was singing about her love for gays you would be all over it. you are one of the main people she was talking about being all up in her business.
wow, i'm sure there are a lot of people who will be ecstatic to hear this album. anything she'll do is 40 times better than what lady gaga will put out. least rihanna performs music that means something
It's annoying that she's doing all these interviews about the abuse before her album comes out. She does look cute on the cover though.
She's only talking about Chris to promote her new "album"
Perez don't be a schmuck, why would you say that?
Her GLAMOUR is GONE! She's turning into a straight up weirdo! I agree, it's suspicious that she only wanted Chris Brown to get a slap on the wrist???? WHY???? Maybe it's true what he said that she started hitting HIM FIRST!
Re: MileyCyrusLooksLikeAChipmunk – LMAO ROTF!!!! You are SOOOO correct! HAHAHAHA!
I don't like Rhianna but I think she answered questions perfectly. She doesn't need to give "juicy details" Perez. If you love your RiRi so much don't be dick.
Re: MileyCyrusLooksLikeAChipmunk – i dont trust her either there is something major sketch about her
i havent heard her new stuff but i dont see anything wrong with artists trying new things. i say so for the rock n roll vibe i love rhianna shes beautiful and talented. this album is obviously more for her. but thats ok after everything shes been through.
Re: MARSHYMAR – oh my. *cough cough*
Re: MileyCyrusLooksLikeAChipmunk – LMFAO!!!!!! TRUE!
She's such a bore!!
Re: MARSHYMAR – u are an idiot
blah blah. time to spill ur guts bcz u got an album to sell. and it needs all the push it can get bcz it sucks.
cul-de-sac ? lol. rhianna u know u don't use that word!
her face looks like a lion.
Re: EmmaLaColorada –
Bitch, please! E.T.'s little sis is evil! I bet she would beat your ass, and then claim you started it.
Now see ,, that is a good look for her.. Not slutty ,, cute..
TOO…….MUCH………TO………READ…..!!!