THE 
November 6, 2009 Rihanna: “When is it going to stop? He had no soul in his eyes. Just blank.”
In tonight’s 20/20 interview, Rihanna gives a detailed account of what happened in the car on the night she was attacked by Chris Brown.
She says all she kept thinking was, “When is it going to stop? When is it going to stop? He had no soul in his eyes. Just blank. He was clearly blacked-out. There was no person when I looked at him.”
Continue reading to read the rest of her account, plus take a peek at part 2 of the interview with Diane Saywer.
The fight, she says, started when Brown received a text message from another woman while they were driving away from a Grammy Awards party.
“I caught him in a lie, and he wouldn’t tell the truth. And I wouldn’t drop it,” Rihanna tells Diane Sawyer in the interview, portions of which aired Friday morning on Good Morning America.
“I couldn’t take that he kept lying to me, and he couldn’t take that I wouldn’t drop it … It escalated into him being violent towards me. And it was ugly.”
How ugly? “I was battered, I was bleeding, I was swollen in my face,” she says.
Their Love Spelled Danger
She felt trapped. “My next option was to get out of the car and walk, start walking in a gown and a bloody face,” she says. “I didn’t have a plan. That whole night was not part of my plan.”Rihanna believes now that the passionate love affair between the young couple – she was 20 at the time, he was 19 – was an unhealthy one. “The more in love we became, the more dangerous we became for each other, equally dangerous,” she says. “Because it was a bit of an obsession.”
She also discusses how she eventually broke things off with Brown, and how she feels about him today.
“Love doesn’t go away right away,” she says. “He didn’t accept that very well. Obviously he didn’t want us to be apart. But I had to make a decision for me.”
Does she hate Brown now? “No, I don’t hate him at all,” she says. “I actually love and care about him. I want him to do well, have a great career, have a great life and grow up. And just take this as something you had to go through to grow up and learn.”
Tune in to ABC tonight at 10pm EST to hear Rihanna tell her story.
[Source]
Ruan
November 6, 2009 at 11:43 am
B I think as a blogger u shouldnt be so one sides. you should look at both side of every story and report both and then your opinion. Her timing with speaking out is skeptical. If she want to put out her story she should tell the WHOLE story and not play the victim. Equal right for all means men can be abused as well in a relationship with a woman.
Britt
November 6, 2009 at 11:48 am
publicity stunt or not… i kno exactly how she feels. mine lasted for yrs and a child came of it… and to this day it is still hard living without that person. Wishing he would change knowing he wont anytime soon. But like she said, just charge it to the game. one of life’s lessons
Michelle
November 6, 2009 at 11:53 am
B, as much I love you I have to say I am disappointed that you chose this part of the interview to make your title.
It was very ugly what Chris did but now I feel like they are starting to use this young man’s livelihood to sell her album & that’s not cool at all. I feel like they are turning him into the next Michael Jackson. People will forgive R. Kelly & he’s a child molester.
Even Rihanna says she doesn’t hate him & wish him well, why can’t everyone else? I think that should have been your title.
As of this moment I will downloading Rihanna’s album & buying Chris. Don’t use to this situation to sell an album.
Watbetch
November 6, 2009 at 12:01 pm
This IS a blog, not a news source. Opinions are to be had by the person posting!
Terrell
November 6, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Not judging either but I wish they both can get passed it and live their lives as planned. I have love for both. Young and hopeless!
Dayana
November 6, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Domestic violence is NEVER an answer to any wrecked/stable relationship. One should never use violence to escape from problems.
Whatever happened to mind over matter?
Good post, B!
I wish Rihanna all the best in her life. It’s a sad thing to see this sorta crap happened to her.
And Chris Brown SHOULD change for good.
twanalicious
November 6, 2009 at 12:13 pm
How is B being one-sided? Yes in the past he has given his opinion on this, but the story he is reporting today is not reflecting his views at all. He is simply giving us a chance to see the story in case we missed it. Yes abuse can be by man or woman, but SHE is telling her side of the story, Chris had his chance to tell his side. There is a second part to this interview, so lets see what else she has to say. Plus, she did say they were dangerous to EACH OTHER, EQUALLY. So it seems to me that she is acknowledging her part in this madness.
killin'em softly
November 6, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Some of you are such hypocrites. You feel we are not hearing the entire story unless SHE is being blamed. You are saying she is acting like the victim. Well SHE IS the victim.
Chris had the opportunity to tell his side of the story now it is her turn. Album or not she was going to have to talk about this sooner or later. There is no way around it.
vicmusic
November 6, 2009 at 12:45 pm
She’s the older one in the relationship and she shouldn’t have dated him in the first place! She should have let him grow and chill out with other people! He’s young and fresh and she was checking his phone, for what? She’s a bunny boiler I say! Rock on Chris!
DaVoice
November 6, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Please people let’s be real, she is not using this situation to sell albums, she is rhianna her music will sell regardless. She would have had to discuss this situation at some point, and I’m glad she did because I think a lot of women who are in similar situations will take heed to her advice.
Ruan
November 6, 2009 at 1:01 pm
The title that was chosen to post this clearly is one sided. Rihanna has NOT admitted her abuse inflicted upon chris AT ALL. She is playing the victim righ tbefore her album release. Now the boy has to push up his album. He had been very repspectful of her and the situation by NOT revealing details. She is a puppet and shes letting the record company control her. If ur gona tell the story tell the WHOLE story. She is record sellin point blank. They EYE PATCHES AND SOMBER attitude is like USHER using Chilly to sell records. They are all a mess these days in the record industry Twanalicious.
lee
November 6, 2009 at 2:01 pm
this is ridiculous. chris brown was not the one bloody and swollen, RIHANNA WAS! how can ppl say rihanna had a hand at making this happen? once we see pics surface of chris brown beaten up, then i’ll believe that. i’ve had heated discussion/arguments with ex’s and they NEVER laid a hand on me. they walked away like men if they got that angry. whoever said that she was the older one so she should have known better is trippin. she’s a year older. are you serious? they are basically the same age and should be held to the same standards. i hope you ladies hold the men in your lives more accountable for their actions then you’re holding chris. i’d hate to see any woman get abused but clearly yall need to see a female in a casket before you realize that the man is at fault.
btw… i don’t mess with r.kelly either.
Natural Beauty
November 6, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Rihanna is a dizzy silly B***H! I’m sorry but call me crazy but I think this is just for you all to feel sorry for her to help boost her new album which is coming out. So it’s all said and done, let’s move on this is so old and so over-rated that it’s pissing me off. Leave Chris Brown alone and Rihanna good luck with your CD because I sure as hell won’t buy it just because you took Chris back and now all of a sudden you have come to realization that you really do want a career and in order for that to happen is to get on TV and clear your name after 6 or 9 months ago, you are too much girl, too much! For one if it wasn’t for the court order for Rihanna and Chris to stay their distance, she would still be with Chris. I am sick of this crap and I’m tired of the media dragging this SH** out like somebody died!
PLEASE give it a break; Rihanna is not that important or innocent! Chris Brown apologized, was charged, and is seeking help through counseling, what the F**K is Rihanna doing besides prancing around town giving us a F**KING fashion show, YES I SAID IT AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT BACK!
Alexis
November 6, 2009 at 3:52 pm
What in the world is a bunny boiler?
Anyway ….
The weird thing about people saying a person is “playing the victim” in abusive relationships is that it implies that he/she really wasn’t victimized. It implies the victim is denying their responsibility.
What responsibility?
The difficult thing about discussing abusive relationships …
1.) Blaming the victim – People look at the person who is abused and questioned what the victim should have done differently to PREVENT the abuse – “she shouldn’t have looked through his phone,” “she shouldn’t have yelled at him,” etc.
2.) Victim blaming themselves – It’s exactly that kind of thinking – that the victim can prevent abuse – that keeps a victim in an abusive relationship in the first place. They think “if I just do this/don’t do this, this won’t happen …” But that’s an illusion.
3.) Blaming the relationship – People look at abusive relationships and say “she shouldn’t have dated him in the first place!” Having a relationship with someone is not excuse or justification for them to harm you. Fact is, MOST people who hurt you – whether it’s cursing, hitting, stealing, and especially raping or murder – are people you know. Furthermore, staying in a relationship is ALSO not excuse or justification for them to harm you. People say “well, she must like it because she keeps going back.” Hell, sometimes it would even seem safer to stay with an abuser because most abusers cross the line from hurting to killing their victims when their victims try to leave them!
4.) Blaming the “fight” – Some people believe abusive situations escalate from one party hitting the other. People say “she/he probably hit first” and call a situation a fight instead of an abusive situation. If I hit you, and you hit me … then I have my hands covering both sides of my head and am cowering while you continue to pound on my head and shoulders – this is not a fight, this is not self-defense – this is malice, this is a beating. Even when both parties are equally injured – like after Ike and Tina Turner destroyed each other in the limo – it’s not a fight.
The truth is …
A person can only be responsible for their own actions, not anyone else’s. You can’t make someone hit you – or even curse you, rape you, shoot you, whatever.
And I think she has a good point when she says she had no other choice. People talk about either party walking away – how could she walk away from a moving car, especially covered in blood in a gown (and being a celebrity)?
Interesting
November 6, 2009 at 7:44 pm
And as usual most people – WOMEN INCLUDED (shame on y’all) – support the abuser. Funny how I only see that on black sites. I’m glad she gave no exclusive to BET, I mean after all most blacks support RKelly (WOMEN INCLUDED, damn shame) so…..and women wonder why they get no respect? Just look at some of those comments, they support the abuser.
BScott, you’re doing the right thing. It’s the victim that needs to be heard, period.
Interesting
November 6, 2009 at 7:47 pm
…..Oh and by the way, by blaming the victim, you become as sick and evil as the abuser because you’re treating the victim exactly the same. Some of y’all need professional help.Or maybe have Chris Brown “transform ya” for y’all to understand, if y’all know what I mean. Sick people! –>
Mickey
November 6, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I don’t get how she is attacking him or throwing him “under the bus” by this: she has mentioned that she was involved equally on this occasion and she doesn’t resent him and she wishes him well. That is very both strong and vulnerable of her at the same time. She comes across mature and accepting of all the events taken place and takes responsibility for her actions. I only respect her more for this, regardless if she is using this for monetary gain.
@Alexis, a “Bunny Boiler” is like a possessive, vindictive women.
Troubleoh7
November 6, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Im glad Rihanna is telling her story.
I can’t believe people are so stupid. Chris Brown don’t give a damn about yall!
SouLKid
November 6, 2009 at 10:57 pm
How many times has Chris Brown released statements, tv interviews and radio interview? He already had multiple chances to tell his side of the story now its time for Rihanna to tell hers. If Rihanna abused him like y’all want to make everyone believe, why didnt he say so in all those many interviews?
People talking about how she’s trying to promote her album, well Chris Brown is promoting his as well, and he has been trying to do a damage control for months now.Or y’all’s lil memories forgot all those interviews, and public apologies?
SMH!
I thought B.Scott’s readers will have better class than those ignorant mediatakeout readers.
felicia3355
November 7, 2009 at 12:17 am
I don’t know if this is right or wrong but I’ve been the victim of domestic violence I will say this I love Chris Brown, and I don’t really know what happened that night but be careful what you get use to or what you think the norm is.
Antonio
November 7, 2009 at 6:04 am
OMG… all you commenters wake the hell up.
“Men can be abused too.”
Yes, and you too can abuse crack, which clearly YOU’RE doing.. otherwise you wouldn’t share your nonsense with the rest of the world.
Rihanna was beaten badly by Chris Brown; there is photographic evidence; end of story. What aren’t you people getting?
Ana
November 7, 2009 at 6:14 am
Some of Chris Brown defenders about a very very important thing when it comes to domestic violence. When a case is ONGOING, the victim and the accused ARE NOT ALLOWED to talk about it in public. Rihanna didn’t know until August whether the case was going to go to court (and a jury) or if a deal was going to be make.
So if you think about it, it has NOT been a whole year. She could only comment on this since August. It’s now November.
It’s been two months.
And uhm, believe me if she LIED about any of the details, I’m sure Chris Brown’s expensive Michael Jackson lawyer would sue her for deflamation of character, don’t you think?
Conclusion; she might have not went into detail but it seems to me like she spoke the truth. AND remember Chris statement after her interview; he didn’t say SHIT to defend himself.
eXquisite
November 7, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I usually don’t comment on blogs, but after seeing the full interview I have mixed emotions..l support Rihanna b/c I’ve been there..I support Chris Brown b/c I’ve been there..unfortunately, in my 23yrs of life I have experienced parental abuse, domestic abuse, and most recently been the abuser..after years of being abused by my mother for being gay & watching my stepdad beat my mom for 14yrs takes a toll on anyone..for years I carried anger in my heart but not just at my mom & stepdad but everyone..I moved out the house 3 days after I graduated hs b/c I was desperate to get away..I moved 2 ATL, started school, and fell in love w/ an amazing girl..but as her depression worsen over her own parent’s domestic violence she became violent towards me..sometimes it appeared like she lost herself & all I could do was restrain her 2 calm down..the more she became depressed, the worse our relationship got..finally, I called it quits..but I was angry..angry that the 1st time I decided 2 open my heart completely to someone they had hurt me..wanted 2 physically hurt me 2 spare some of the pain she felt..it left me confused but very angry..I wanted 2 b w/ her but I knew there was nothing I could do 2 help her depression & by staying I felt I would eventually react 2 her violence..3yrs later I finally did react…new girl, new situation..after 8 months of a rocky relationship from the start I exploded..tired of hearing everything I did was wrong, that my flaws outweighed any good in me, that I was a cheater, that I was a liar..I felt like I wasn’t good enough even though I did everything 2 show my girl that I only wanted her and I was in love w/ her..no matter how hard I tried, the verbal arguments increased..then everything changed..one night after having a brick thrown at my head..I snapped..I honestly don’t remember what I did 2 her but the bruises I saw on her later crushed my soul..I couldn’t 4 the life of me make sense of what I had done..snatched her braids out, bust her nose, left her w/ a blackout..I scared myself bc I never believed I was capable of such a violent outburst..but I refused 2 believe that person was who I was..me & my girl broke up 2wks later & I immediately sought a counselor who could help me deal w/ my temper & the constant rage I felt..after 6 months in therapy, I understand that my violent past dating back 2 the 30 or so fistfights I got in to growing up were all causes..ppl who don’t speak out about experiencing violence hold that anger in..in reality, every1 is like a ticking time bomb unless we deal with our emotions instead of burying them..b/c whether we believe it or not, one flashback can bring down your hold world..I’ll never agree that what was done 2 me, what I did 2 my ex, or what CB did was right..but for every reaction we have in life, there is a moment in our past that will contribute 2 how we react..since being in therapy I can honestly say I’m not as angry anymore..I believe in change & I truly believe I can avoid being that person who reacts w/ violence.
I felt I would share my own story b/c with all the media hoopla ppl are missing the facts..Rihanna even admitted Chris was blank or even blacked out..its not an excuse, its a fact ppl..built-up rage, hidden emotions, and an intense situation can result in a person blacking out..if u don’t believe me, do your research..like I said, I’ve been on both sides of the fence..neither one is something I’m proud of but b/c I experienced it I understand Rihanna’s and CB’s situation..much love 2 them both..and if they ever get back together I am confident CB will b a changed man b/c he wants 2 change..and not just world his fan & supporters but for himself.