In 2009, pop star Rihanna was assaulted by her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown.
The world was quite rightly horrified by the reports, worried for the physical and psychological welfare of the entertainer.
And so was Oprah.
During an episode of her talk show, Oprah looked directly into the camera and sent a message to Rihanna. “Give it some time, get yourself some counselling… Love doesn’t hurt. If a man hits you once, he will hit you AGAIN,” she said.
Three years on, Oprah and Rihanna have appeared together for a lengthy interview on Oprah’s new show - Oprah’s Next Chapter.
Rihanna has revealed a lot of her feelings about her relationship, her love for Chris Brown and how she has since come to forgive him.
It makes for compelling – and thought-provoking – viewing.
Comments
9 Comments so far
Sorry but anyone who says that this is none of their business & that we should stay out onit given we don’t know what really went on flys in the face of the campaign regarding the end to violence against women..stand up & make every voice heard. Get involved otherwise it will never end…!
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I think that this could be time for the rest of us to butt out of the Rihanna/Chris Brown affair. We might think that he’s a jerk and every other ##@@@%%$ under the sun. But she’s made peace with him and more importantly, herself.
No other opinion matters.
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Now Chris Brown is a jerk.
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In case anyone hasnt read the actual police report on what happened between chris and rihanna, you can check it out here – http://violenceunsilenced.com/the-official-chris-brown-and-rhianna-affidavit/
They both come from homes where they witnessed domestic violence comign up and my guess from the scale of chris’ attack on rihanna (and knowledge of how these violent outbursts usually escalate over time), although admittedly I dont know for sure, I would hazard a strong guess that this was NOT the first time he abused her.
I’m not sure where she is really at now but it just strikes me as really sad, given both of their public profiles (and for them personally too) that Chris expressed so little remorse for what he did (yet has been welcomed back to the music industry and most fans w open arms) and Rihanna so quickly reconnected with him – whether romantically right now or not.
Just a damaging message and example I think. for young girls especially, of how to respond to violence against women. Sad to hear how the love she had for her abusive dad led to her accepting the violence/love from chris.
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I think Jezebel’s response sums it up pretty well. Sometimes people are just trying to live their life, you know? Did she sign up to be a role model? Maybe in a few years, or many years – but in this interview, she wasn’t trying to be anything to anybody, she just was.
http://m.jezebel.com/5936187/we-may-not-like-what-rihanna-says-about-chris-brown-but-wed-better-listen?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_twitter&utm_source=jezebel_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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Ugh this is so uncomfortable. I was in an abusive relationship for two and a half years. I went through a pattern of making excuses for him, leaving, then returning. I finally got out in 2010 and I’ve never looked back.
I don’t still love the man who abused me. I am repulsed that I stayed, and I’m disgusted that I let it go on as long as I did.
I regret the relationship entirely, but in the same way, I don’t waste a second thinking about that arsehole, nor do I want contact of any kind with him.
It took counselling and ongoing support from my family and friends to get me to this point.
I can’t figure out Rihanna’s deal.
Her message is a worrying one for women who are still trapped in abusive relationships, or who might be tempted to go back.
She seems like she would take him back in a heartbeat, and for that, her message is so damaging, worrying and just plain STUPID.
She needs help, or people need to stop giving her a way to put this message out there.
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I am very sorry to hear your story. But have you heard the other parts of the interview in which she talks about her relationship with Chris?
I see your point but I don’t feel like she is portraying the message that you seem to think she is.
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I take your point, I think I’m obviously still angry about my own situation. She does need to find a better way to say: What happened was unacceptable and I never want anything to do with him again.
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Very interesting video. I am happy she is happy, and no one really has the right to judge how she handled the situation. Especially in the public eye!
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