It’s official: R&B diva Rihanna says she is back together with Chris Brown, who is still on probation for assaulting her in 2009.
“It’s different now,” she insists.
“I decided it was more important for me to be happy,” Rihanna told Rolling Stone in an interview published online yesterday.
“I wasn’t going to let anybody’s opinion get in the way of that. Even if it’s a mistake, it’s my mistake,” she said of her renewed romance with singer Brown, 23, which has prompted consternation from fans and celebrity media because of their history.
“After being tormented for so many years, being angry and dark, I’d rather just live my truth and take the backlash,” said Rihanna, 24, adding, “I can handle it.”
The couple’s reconciliation had been rumored for months, even before they unveiled a duet, “Nobody’s Business,” in November. That track was included on Rihanna’s latest album, “Unapologetic.”
Brown pleaded guilty in 2009 to beating Rihanna. He was sentenced to community service and anger-management classes, was given a restraining order and is still on probation.