Rihanna explains her Chris Brown reunion

Rihanna has spoken out about the infamous assault incident with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, which left the star beaten and bloody in 2009.

In an interview with Elle magazine, the star reveals how the incident was 'embarassing' but gave her confidence in the years since.

"It gave me guns," Rihanna tells the magazine. "I was like, well, f***. They know more about me than I want them to know. It's embarrassing. But that was my opening. That was my liberation, my moment of bring it.

"I wanted people to know who I am. Whatever they take that to be, good or bad, I just want them to know the truth."

She also added that she understood why people were less than appreciative at news that she was friends with Chris Brown again.

"I respect what other people have to say. The bottom line is that everyone thinks differently," she added. "It's very hard for me to accept, but I get it.

"People end up wasting their time on the blogs or whatever, ranting away, and that's all right. I don't hate them for it."

Rihanna recently revealed plans to begin work on her seventh album.