She talked about her exclusive hotel room [lol], about recording the album, twilight, umbrella, the leak of the album, and the AMA’s.

Director Anthony Mandler — who also helmed the singer’s “Wait Your Turn” clip — said the video is the perfect embodiment of the haunting ballad.

“I think that with this song and the meaning of this song and how loaded it all is, no pun intended, how much imagery and perhaps symbolism that is loaded in this song, the only way to do it was to do something that was visually challenging,” he told MTV News about the video, which premieres Friday (November 13) on “20/20.”

Mandler thought of the video as a metaphor for Rihanna’s very public life in the gossip pages, as opposed to a direct comment on her February assault by then-boyfriend Chris Brown.

“I think you can’t effect change unless you’re willing to take a risk,” he said. “You can’t get people to pay attention and understand unless you’re willing to push the limit and try new things. The song, this situation, everything is so frontloaded with so much gossip and so much media coverage and so many emotions and stories that if you don’t try to do something that is poetic and layered in symbolism, then you’re either running from the truth or you’re being too obvious with it.”

So, instead of literally telling the story of lovers in a dangerous game, Rihanna and Mandler decided to make that the subplot. “I think our objective was to run down our lane with it and to step out of the drama and the gossip,” he said. “To get deeper and be more symbolic.”

MTV

The ‘Russian Roulette’ singer praised the duo, made up of Saul Milton and Will Kennard, for producing three tracks for her record.

Speaking to DS, Milton revealed that Rihanna was put in touch with them through her record label. He said:

“We are co-managed by Roc Nation, who also co-manage her. They showed her some of our tracks and she fell in love with our song ‘Saxon’.

“She got my number and called me up at six in the morning telling me that she was a big fan. I was half asleep with my girlfriend next to me. It was great, it was a fun phone call to receive and hopefully the start of many things to come.

“We went out for a meal with her and Jay-Z and a lot of other people. She raised her glass and said we were the backbone of the album. It was a really touching moment and we were flattered by her praise.”

Rihanna releases Rated R on November 20.

“It’s my mini-movie,” Rihanna said about her forthcoming album. “It’s really honest, at times vulnerable, but it came from really, really deep in here [points to heart]. I just feel like I had to call it Rated R, ’cause it’s my movie.”

MTV News previewed the album on Tuesday (November 10) and Rihanna’s description is certainly accurate.

After the intro, Rated R kick starts with “Wait Your Turn” and the Young Jeezy-assisted “Hard.” The material matches the artwork that’s been released for the project so far, with Rihanna posturing as the bad chick.

In what will probably be referred to by fans as the “Chris Brown song,” Rihanna reveals a softer side of herself on the ballad “Stupid In Love.”

“I still love you, but I can’t do this/ I may be dumb but I’m not stupid,” she sings on the Ne-Yo-penned record.

“Stupid In Love” recounts a story of distrust over lies, raging emotions, and lamenting a lost love.

“The dunce cap is off/ You don’t realize what you lost ’til I’m gone/ I was the one,” Rihanna croons.

The pulsating “Russian Roulette” follows, but it’s the next series of selections — “Rock Star,” “Firebomb,” and “Rude Boy” — that fit the Rihanna archetype of big, bombastic tracks that flaunt her sex appeal.

“Rock Star” features former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. With its mix of drum kicks and guitar licks, Rihanna revels in her rebellion. “I got my middle finger up/ I don’t really give a fuck.”

“G4L” is another posture record (the acronym is short for “gangster for life”), while “Te Amo” is the Barbados singer’s paean to her international audience.

The album once again turns somber, with the Will.i.am-assisted “Photographs,” where Rihanna laments over a lost relationship.

“It shoulda been me and you/ now all I got is these photographs,” she sings.

“The Last Song” is just that, after the Justin Timberlake-helmed “Cold Case Love.”

“Love” begins with a sparse melody and gradually builds through each verse before it crescendos with a full production flourish.

Rihanna recently performed material from the album for the first time during a surprise appearance on Jay-Z’s tour in Los Angeles this past weekend. The “Umbrella” star spoke to MTV News about the appearance and said she was both nervous and excited to get back to music. She said Rated R, set for a November 23 release, will be the beginning of a “new era.”

“There are a lot of butterflies, a lot of excitement,” Rihanna said about her return to music. “I’m anxious. Like, I can’t wait. But you’re always nervous, because you’re about to go do something big. It’s a new thing, a new era. But I’m not scared. I’m just really excited. I just can’t wait to start.”

MTV

On Stage

Backstage

Red Carpet

More pictures coming soon!

Rihanna’s exclusive speach:

(wipes tear from eye) Sorry, I’m PMSing.

As usual, I decided to wear the tightest dress I could find. Shoutout to Amy!

I am shaking right now – I am so nervous – but overwhelmed and honored by this honor to be Glamour’s Woman of the Year.

I didn’t even know I had to speak, I didn’t know what kind of event it was, I didn’t know anything until a few hours ago. I had to say to [poet] Maya Angelou, I love you but you made this terribly more difficult for me. (pulls out piece of paper) So I made a little thank-you so I wouldn’t forget anybody.

First, thank you to Iman – it’s very incredible that you’re presenting me with an award. It was a real honor to be named Glamour’s Woman of the Year, especially because I think of myself as just becoming a woman. I just turned 21 this year.

Just to be mentioned in this group of women is overwhelming. I love being a part of a night where we’re celebrating women and such strong women. Thank you, Glamour, for giving me Woman of the Year. Thank you, [Glamour editor-in-chief] Cindi Leive. [JustJared.com] I also want to thank all the people who helped get me here. Melissa [Forde], my best friend, Krista, Mark, [Roc Nation executive] Jay Brown, Jay-Z, [producer] L.A. Reid, everyone on my label at Def Jam, my girls (stylist) Mariel [Haenn], (makeup artist) Mylah [Morales], (hairdresser) Ursula [Stephen]. They help me look cute! Everyone at Revlon, and my entire family who flew here from Barbados – shout-out to you mommy, hi!

I really look up to my gran-gran and my mom. They are my two women of the year. I love you very much, granny. I love you very much, mom.

They’ve shown me what strong women can accomplish and achieve. Without their unconditional love and guidance, I wouldn’t be here and I hope I can be an example to young girls and women today. Thanks so much.

“I said to myself, ‘I’m never gonna date someone like my dad,’ ” Rihanna told Sawyer. “Never.”

The singer said her father was severely abusive to her mother in the past and hit her “numerous” times. She said she would unsuccessfully try to break up their fights, attempting to distract the pair by breaking glasses and dishes in the kitchen. The singer said her father even broke her mother’s nose.

Rihanna painted the picture of her and Brown’s early days together as filled with happiness. She said the “Forever” singer was her best friend but cautioned that falling in love with your best friend can be “scary.”

“The more in love we became, the more dangerous we became for each other, equally as dangerous,” she said, describing their relationship as an obsession.

She said on the night Brown assaulted her, she was happy and alcohol did not play a part in influencing his or her behavior.

Rihanna confirmed that a text message from a girl Brown had a previous relationship with was at the root of their argument that night. She said Brown lied about the message and that she would not let him off the hook. “He had his back against the wall,” she said.

The pair left a pre-Grammy party and soon found themselves arguing in a residential district in Brown’s rented Lamborghini.

“It escalated into him being violent toward me, and it was ugly,” she said, clearing her throat.

Rihanna confirmed to Sawyer information previously detailed in the police report. She said Brown punched her and bit her repeatedly. She said she was also choked, but not to the point of near unconsciousness, although she said she did have trouble breathing.

“All I kept thinking was, ‘When is it going to stop?’ ” she told Sawyer of the escalating violence.

She admitted Brown threatened to kill her, as well, but she told Sawyer he “was saying it to scare me.”

“At that point, I just didn’t know what could happen,” she continued. “He was clearly blacked out. There was no person when I looked at him. It was almost as if he had nothing to lose. He had so much to lose. But it was almost as if he had nothing to lose. It wasn’t the same person that says I loved you. It definitely wasn’t those eyes.”

“It was ugly,” she said. “I fended him off with my feet…but it was not like, it was not like a fight with each other. I just…I really just wanted it to stop,” she said.

Finally, Rihanna said, her screams prompted a to call the police.

“I was bleeding, I was swollen in the face,” she said. “So there was no way of me getting home, except for, my next option was to get out of the car and walk. Start walking in a gown, in a bloody face. So I really don’t know what my plan was.”

Rihanna briefly reunited with Brown in Miami approximately a month following the assault. She said she wanted to protect Brown, as fans were turning against him. But Rihanna was conflicted even as she attempted to reassure Brown.

“Everything about him annoyed me,” she said.

He asked her if Rihanna hated him, she recalled. She said she didn’t, but she actually resented him. According to her, this was the point where she realized she had to end their relationship.

Developmental psychologist Dr. Michelle Callahan told MTV News it’s important for victims to get to the point where they must recognize it’s time to leave.

“It’s important for young women to know this is not a sign of love,” she urged. “Violence, controlling behavior and abusive behavior is not love.”

Rihanna’s decision to return to Brown confused many once evidence of the assault became public.

“Even if Chris never hit me again, who is to say that their boyfriend won’t?” Rihanna said during the interview, calling her decision to reconcile with Brown “selfish.” “Who’s to say that they won’t kill these girls? These are young girls, and I just didn’t realize how much of an impact I had on these girls’ lives until that happened. It was a wake-up call.”

Sawyer asked Rihanna about the leaked image of her, battered and bruised, that appeared online after her assault. The singer said she doesn’t like seeing the image because of the bad memories it conjures.

“I get angry all over again every time I see it,” she said. “The whole thing plays out in my head, so I don’t like to see it.”

Brown has repeatedly emphasized that he still loves Rihanna and released a song after the incident called “Changed Man,” in which he apologized to his ex.

Rihanna, however, claims to have never heard the record. She said she still has feelings for Brown and wants him to be successful, but she seems to be struggling to comprehend her emotions, calling it an annoyance to still feel connected to him. She told Sawyer she was unsure if she could ever reunite with him.

“I can’t answer that question right now, ’cause you never know what the future holds,” she explained. “He was my best friend, the person I loved. We spent two years of our lives together.

“I don’t have a desire at all to be with him,” she added. “I don’t see how we could get back together. But I’m not God, so I can’t predict the future.”

She went on to add that there’s nothing she wants to hear from Brown at the moment.

Brown issued a statement to MTV News prior to Rihanna’s interview wishing her the best.

“I do appreciate her support and wish her the best,” he said. “I am extremely sorry for what I did, and I accept accountability for my actions.”

Rihanna, likewise, wished Brown the best and hoped he could work through his personal issues.

“I want him to accept this as a man would,” she said. “Accept the responsibility and find a way to not feel sorry for himself.”

Both artists seem poised to move past the dark moment in their lives.

“I’m glad it happed to me,” Rihanna said. ” ‘Cause now I can help young girls. [I would tell them] ‘Don’t react off of love.’ F love. Come out of the situation and look at it third-person and for what it really is. And then make your decision. ‘Cause love is so blind. It’s so blind.”

MTV

Chris sis writes the “Hard” lyrics on twitter and tells she’s gon by RiRi’s new album. She also talks about the GMA interview and more. I might posted too much but I thought you just might wanned to read all of what she’s said instead of scrolling the page on twitter .
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Ppl I luv Rihanna I’m buying her album Nov. 23. But I’m buying 2 Chris brown albums Dec 8. Lml
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Its not she’s wrong. I feel 4 her but she’s playing a roll 4 the media & that sucks. Cuz she saying bullshit n front the cameras.
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but she probably got people talking in her ear trynna tell her ‘wuts gonna help her’…. >>>exactly
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I dnt promote violence nor do I promote lying I just got a lil upset after hearin da interview & I think if ur gonna go public tell da truth
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Sorry if I Mis-lead some of u earlier. I luv Robyn. We hangout 2 this day. That’s my bitch. Chris is my bestfriend, like a bro but…….
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he’s [Chris's]career ain’t ova. He made her 2 Wat she is day. Riri just needs away 2. Get her career back up
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I’m bout 2 put on sum headphones & go 2 sleep I gotta b up 2 watch Rihanna on Good morning america
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After us Yankees kick ass I’m goon 2 bed. Foot b up @ 7am 2 watch good morning America. Rihanna interview
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“I’m so hard” “ya ya yea” “so hard”
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But the baddest bitch in heels right here!!” Yaasss hunni! Rihanna’s new shit goes HARD! >>>>yesssssiirr
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“I seen you aiming at my pedastool I betta let you that III I’m sooooo Hard so Hard” that is my jam >>lets go
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“Like yea o yea yea”
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“I Betta let u know…day I I I I’m soooo hard”
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“I’m a do wateva”
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“They can say wateva”
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“I’m sooo hard…a yea yea yea…..sooo hard” my shyt

Chris’ dj: (djbabeydrew)

“MAD!!!! I need the real story to come out now!!! This is sum bullcrap!!!! Uncut Bullcrap!”

” u should wanna hear from the people that really know the truth!!!”

____
MIJO! (Chris brother/best friend)(mijougly)
His tweet:
“I’m starting to See How Sus You Are….”
____

Scooter (singer-chris’ friend)

“new #TT is…..#hannarihanna”
“like hannamontana is 2 people hannarihanna is her 2nd person that we saw on tv today lying!!!!

____
Micah (chris friend):(@micahfonecheck)

#shame on Rihanna….

“How dirty is that 2 wait till he’s about to drop his album 2 come out with this whole victim ish! #shame on Rihanna”

____

Chris’ dancer- @Only1Zstarr :
YO THIS RIHANNA INTERVIEW HAVE PISSED ME OFF SHE IS REALLY TRYNA MAKE CHRIS BROWN OUT OF BEING A WOMEN BEATER…. WOW. IF YALL ONLY KNEW!!
I WISH DANCER’S CAN SPEAK ABOUT THINGS THAT REALLY GO ON!!!! I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS.. LET ME JUST SAY CHRIS BROWN WAS PUSHED TO THE EXTREME!

BECAUSE IF HE REALLY SPOKE ON THE REAL OF THE TRUTH!!! I CANT SAY THE REST!

MTV News went into Times Square to get fans’ reactions to Rihanna’s appearance. Most Rihanna fans supported her and even thought that the statements were empowering.

Rashada, 22, said, “I’m glad that she finally took the time to address it. It was really heartfelt and I’m glad that she said what she needed to get across, because sometimes when you’re that far in love those things happen and can’t get out of it.”

Johanna, 21, agreed. “I think she’s proved that she’s a strong, independent woman by handling this very maturely, even though she’s very young.”

Alexis, 18, had some sympathy for Brown.

“I truly feel that what happened with them was an honest mistake,” she said.

Others questioned Rihanna’s motives for choosing this time to speak out. DeAndrea, 26, was skeptical.

“I think it’s [Rihanna's] way of creating her own kind of controversy. Like, why would you let it go on for this long and then want to say something … And even when [he talked about the assault in interviews], he never really disrespected her by telling the details of what happened.”

Even more skeptical was Nancy, 25.

“Her new album is coming out and she needs a little publicity, so she wants to go around and talk about it. I think everyone’s over it,” she said.

Others said they think people can benefit from Rihanna’s comments. Joe, 25, said, “Personally I’m glad that she’s speaking out because lots of girls her age — and girls younger than her — go through experiences like this.”

Kate, 18, said,

“We have to look inside our own lives and learn from what we see on TV, and not only pay attention to that but pay attention to our own lives. We have to use to it enhance ourselves and our relationships with the people around us.”

Go here for domestic-violence resources, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse.

MTV

“I just found out a couple days ago,” Dean told Rap-Up.com about making the cut. An official tracklisting for Rihanna’s fourth album Rated R, which also includes contributions from Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, Ne-Yo, Young Jeezy, will.i.am, and Slash, was released by Def Jam on Monday.

Track number eight, otherwise known as “Rude Boy,” was written by Dean, who’s penned hits for artists including Mary J. Blige, Pussycat Dolls, and Keri Hilson, and also has a hit of her own with “Drop It Low” featuring Chris Brown. The Rihanna track was produced by Stargate, she informed Rap-Up.com.

Dean additionally revealed that she is the writer behind Robin Thicke’s new song “Shakin’ It for Daddy” featuring Nicki Minaj. Her vocals can also be heard on the record.

Rap-UP