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Chris Brown and Rihanna’s history is one of music, fame, and highly publicized turbulence. Their romance, which began in the mid-2000s, captivated fans with red-carpet appearances and hit collaborations, showcasing an undeniable connection. However, the relationship took a dark turn in 2009 when Chris Brown assaulted Rihanna, an incident that shocked the world and left lasting scars for both artists. Since then, their interactions have been sporadic and closely scrutinized. Now, we’re looking back at Rihanna discussing the incident with Oprah Winfrey. Here’s what Rihanna said about Brown, and why it “shocked” Winfrey to her core.

Rihanna’s candid conversation about Chris Brown post-assault ‘shocked’ Oprah Winfrey

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Rihanna spoke openly on Oprah’s Next Chapter about Chris Brown attacking her in 2009. “I lost my best friend,” she said of the incident, which led to Brown’s arrest and felony assault charges. He pleaded guilty to the charges and entered a plea deal for five years of probation, community service, and domestic violence counseling.

“It became a circus,” she said of the media surrounding the assault. Rihanna then described how she felt worried and “protective” over Brown. She feared that the public would view him as a monster.

“And I felt protective,” she continued to Oprah Winfrey. “I felt like the only person they hate right now is him. … As angry, and hurt, and betrayed, I just felt like he made that mistake because he needed help. And who’s gonna help him? Nobody’s gonna say he needs help. Everybody’s gonna say he’s a monster without looking at the source. I was more concerned about him.”

Winfrey felt “shocked” by the “powerful” admission.

“That is really powerful that in that moment — I would have never thought that. You just shocked me!” Winfrey said. “Because, in that moment, I would’ve never thought that what you were thinking about was protecting him.”

In 2025, Rihanna is expecting her third child with A$AP Rocky. In years past, she expressed how she wished the best for Brown. While she made attempts to rebuild their friendship in the past, it’s unclear exactly where they stand today.

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