Rihanna Speaks

Nine months after being brutally assaulted by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown, pop star Rihanna has finally broken her silence. Last week she was interviewed on ABC’s Good Morning America and 20/20 and Glamour has chosen her as one of the magazine’s 2009 Women of the Year.

In her Glamour interview, which can be read at Glamour.com, Rihanna discusses fashion, charity work, her new album and, of course, that fateful February night.

She opened up about how humiliated she felt when a photo, reportedly of Rihanna’s injured face taken by police after Brown assaulted her, was leaked to the Internet.

“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,” she said.

When asked about what message she was like to give to the young women who look up to her, Rihanna said:

“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.”

I appreciate that the interview didn’t solely focus on Rihanna’s abuse, but also talked Rihanna the fashion icon (her hair cut is called “The Rihanna” in salons nationwide), her charity Believe Foundation and her new album, Rih Rih says in part hip-hop, part rock ‘n’ roll.

“If Lil’ Wayne and Kings of Leon like my album, then I’ll feel good,” she says in the interview.

What do you think of Rihanna’s comeback? Can she be a good role model? What do you think of Glamour’s decision to choose her to be part of its 2009 Women of the Year list?