The Real Reason Rihanna Is Still In Love With Chris Brown

These days, Chris Brown just might be on the most controversial figures in the music industry. Though undeniably talented, over the course of his decade-plus career, Brown has been dogged by criticism. While he's made headlines for all the wrong reasons numerous times over the years, his largest scandal to date is undoubtedly his tumultuous relationship with Rihanna. 

According to Billboard, Brown and Rihanna first went public with their relationship in 2008. However, the relationship abruptly ended the night before the Grammy Awards in February 2009 when Brown physically assaulted her, according to People. The graphic photos of Rihanna's battered face were leaked to the media, a restraining order was issued, per E! News, and Brown's actions were widely condemned.

Despite the highly publicized breakup, that was not the end of the relationship between the two music stars. In 2012, the two collaborated on "Nobody's Business" and "Birthday Cake (Remix)," per Billboard. The same year, Brown and Rihanna were spotted together cuddling courtside at a Lakers game. Rumors that the two were still in love swirled as recently as 2020 due, in part, to a resurfaced interview. In the interview, Rihanna expressed her side of the situation, explaining why she still had feelings for Brown despite their difficult past.

In a resurfaced interview with Oprah Winfrey from 2012, Rihanna explained her feelings for Chris Brown, and the work they did to repair the tension between them. "We've just worked on it, little by little, and it has not been easy. It's not easy," the singer and mogul said. At the time, Rihanna and Brown were working on reestablishing a friendship. "I'm single," she clarified, "but we have maintained a very close friendship ever since the restraining order has been dropped."

Rihanna also took the opportunity to open up about some of her resolved feelings. "We love each other and probably always will," she said, adding, "That's not something you can shut off." Rihanna and Brown dated when they were both pretty young. However, that doesn't mean their relationship was merely puppy love. "I think he was the love of my life. He was the first love," she reflected. "I truly love him. So the main thing for me is that he's at peace."

Rihanna and Brown split again in 2013 after "rekindling [their] troubled romance," per HuffPost. Rihanna went on to date Saudi billionaire Hassan Jameel from 2017 until early 2020. Though no longer involved, Brown and Rihanna occasionally interact on social media. In 2018, Rihanna called out Snapchat for making a joke about domestic violence between the two of them. While Brown and Rihanna may no longer be together, it seems there's still love for each other.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. You can also find more information, resources, and support at www.thehotline.org.