INTRODUCTION

In light of the Rihanna and Chris Brown scandal of physical abuse; information is provided about the real Rihanna. Maybe after reading a little about Rihanna, the general public can begin to get a sense as to why she returned to the man who abused her. After reading about the real Rihanna maybe people will understand why America saw a photo released by the TMZ media of abuse at the hands of her lover, Chris Brown. Chris Brown is due to appear in California court on April 8, 2009 for two felony assault charges. Rihanna has returned to Chris Brown and is now recording a duet for his next album.

THE REAL RIHANNA

Rihanna was born Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty on February 20,1988 in Saint Michael, Barbados to Ronald and Monica Fenty who also has two younger sons. Rihanna's mother, Monica, is of Afro-Guyanese descent; her father Ronald is of Afro-Barbadian and caucasian descent.

Rihanna attended primary school in Barbados and at the Combermere School formed a musical trio at the age of 15. At the Combermere School, Rihanna won a beauty contest in 2004. She was also an army cadet at the school and trained with the military of Barbados.

In 2003, one of the members of the band introduced Rihanna to record producer Evan Rogers who was vacationing in Barbados with his wife. The two members of the band auditioned for Mr. Rogers who said that the "minute Rihanna walked into the room it was like the two other girls did not exist." Rihanna eventually moved to Connecticut with Mr. Rogers and his wife. Mr. Rogers and Carl Sturken,his partner, helped Rihanna record material that was sent to Def Jam Production Company. Jay Z who was then president of the production company, and quickly signed Rihanna to the record label.

RIHANNA ALBUM RELEASES AND ENDORSEMENTS

Rihanna is a former beauty queen and serves as the cultural ambassador of Barbados. Rihanna has been in the entertainment businesses since 2005. Rihanna released her first album in 2005 called Music of the Sun in the United States. That album reached No. 10 on Billboards top 200's. The Music of the Sun sold over 500,000 copies.

Less than eight months later, Rihanna released her second solo album labeled "A Girl Like Me" in 2006. This album reached No. 5 on Billboard's top 200's and was certified platinum selling over a million copies. The lead single, "SOS," peaked to number one on the Billboards's 100's and was Rihanna first number one single in the United States. Rihanna promoted the single with an opening act for Gwen Stefani. In 2007 Rihanna toured with the Pussycat Dolls in the United Kingdom.

Rihanna later received and endorsement deal with Clinique and toured with Ne-Yo to promote the company's Happy fragrance. Rihanna also performed a song with the Pussycat Dolls to promote the deodorant Secret. During that time, Rihanna made her acting debut as a cameo in the movie Bring it On: All or Nothing. Rihanna is also a model for Cover Girl cosmetics.

Rihanna is the first Bardadian to win a Grammy award and have obtained 5 top recordings in the Billboard 100's number one's thus far. In 2007, Rihanna released her studio albumn "Good Girl Gone Bad" that yielded"SOS," "Umbrella," "Take a Bow," "Don't Stop the Music," and "Disturbia."

RIHANNA NUMBER ONE FEMALE SOLO ARTIST

Rihanna recorded "Good Girl Gone Bad" with Ne-Yo, Timbaland and Stargate. With the sucess of that album, selling over 2 million copies, Rihanna released "Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded in 2008. "Take a Bow" gave Rihanna a number one hit and "Disturbia" peaked at No. 1 worldwide. Rihanna has the most number one female solo releases of the decade; the other female being Beyonce. Rihanna won an American Music Award as the Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist in 2008.

RIHANNA MUSICAL INFLUENCES AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Rihanna musical influences include Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Destiny Child, Celine Dion, Brandy and Gwen Stefani.

Rihanna charitable contributions include her Believe Foundation for terminally ill children, the charitable Cartier LOVECHARITY bracelet Foundation and has helped Madonna with her charitable performances. Rihanna has performed for the anti-cancer foundation, "Just Stand UP," and has teamed up with other recording artists with a collection called Fashion against Aids. Rihanna is the spokesperson for Gucci UNICEF ad campaign.

RIHANNA NOW

On February 9, Rihanna was to appear on the 2009 Grammy Awards Show that was cancelled because of altercations with her lover and also top recording artist Chris Brown. On March 5, 2009 Chris Brown was charged with assault and criminal threats relating to the incident with Rihanna on February 8, 2009. Rihanna has since returned to Chris Brown and is making a duet for his next album. The two stayed at P. Diddy Combs Star mansion to sort things out. As of April, 2009 Rihanna has been to nightclubs without Chris Brown and have been seen with another male friend. Rihanna says that she will testify in court as her legal obligation. Hollywood insiders are saying that Rihanna would like to have her relationship back to normal with Chris Brown. Chris Brown has been charged with two felonies and with threatening to kill Rihanna but remains carefree sailing around P. Diddy's mansion. Lately Chris Brown has been seen in Virginia touring the campus of Norfolk State University.

There are online pictures of angry fans painting a picture of Chris Brown with his face scared. However the images are not real and only indicate spliced pictures to give him a look of abuse. Chris Brown may walk away unscathed with a mere slap on the wrist because he was not issued a restraining order not to see Rihanna again.