NEW YORK — Rihanna says she resented Chris Brown for a time, but has put that behind her and is happy that her former boyfriend has found success in music again.
Rihanna tells Esquire magazine that disliking Brown « was taking up too much of my time » and that she has moved on from that.
« It was too much anger, » the 23-year-old said. « I’m really excited to see the breakthrough he’s had in his career. »
Brown, 21, is serving five years of probation after pleading guilty to felony assault for the attack on Rihanna in the early morning hours before the 2009 Grammys. « Graffiti, » the album he released 10 months after the attack, was a commercial disappointment. But his latest release, « F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies), » debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in March; it reached gold status and has multiple pop and R&B hits with songs like « Look at Me Now » and « Deuces, » among other tracks.
« It’s incredible to see how he pulled out the way he did. Even when the world seemed like it was against him, you know? » Rihanna said. « I really like the music he’s putting out. I’m a fan of his stuff. I’ve always been a fan. »
Rihanna has done well musically, too: Her albums following the attack – « Rated R » and « Loud » – have both gone platinum, and she’s releasing a new album, « Talk That Talk, » next month. Her latest single, « We Found Love, » is her 20th song to hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart since she debuted in 2005.
Overall, she says she wants to see Brown do well.
« I would never wish anything horrible for him. Never. I never have, » she said.
Esquire named Rihanna as its Sexiest Woman Alive for 2011. The November issue of the magazine hits newsstands on Oct. 16.
with huffingtonpost
