Glamour Magazine’s 2009 Women of the Year

Don't get it twisted, Rihanna is not only a style icon or songstress, she is also a great role model to young women. In an exclusive interview with Glamour Magazine, she reaches out, shining light on a topic so frequently over looked- Domestic Violence! “Domestic violence is a big secret, I want to give as much insight as I can to young women…to help speak for them.” Check out some of the interview below:

Glamour: You auditioned for Jay-Z at Def Jam. What was that like?

Rihanna: I was nervous as hell. The night before, I couldn’t sleep. I was trying on a million different outfits and makeup. I remember seeing Jay-Z and starting to shake. I thought he would be in a suit, sitting behind a desk with a cigar. But he was totally chill, wearing sneakers and a T-shirt. Then I went into audition mode. I knew it was all or nothing. Right away, the Def Jam people said, “You can’t leave the building.” They closed the door, and the lawyers stayed until 1:00 or 2:00 A.M. to do the deal.

Glamour: What’s the most valuable piece of advice Jay-Z’s ever given you?

Rihanna: In the beginning of my career, he said, “You must be a good person, because good things are happening for you, but you have to stay humble.” One thing that intrigued me about him was that he was such a huge artist and really down-to-earth. I felt like if he was saying this, it must work.
In addition to her rise as pop star, Rihanna has become an emblem to the fashion world. Spotted at numerous Fashion Shows at Paris’ Fashion week dotting jaw dropping attire to her famiously named Rihanna-bob this fashionista is setting trends globally.

Glamour: Your look has evolved from the beginning of your career.

Rihanna: In the first two years of my career, there were a lot of restraints on what I could do. I couldn’t wear certain colors of lipstick, like bright pink, dark pink or red; [my lips] had to be natural. Eventually, I stopped communicating with certain people at the label, and did exactly what I wanted to do. And that was to cut my hair, dye it black, change my clothes, change my sound. Really to just express myself.

Glamour: Let’s talk about that famous hair of yours. Your cut now is even called “The Rihanna” in salons!

Rihanna: Yeah, we cut it into a bob for the [Good Girl Gone Bad album] cover shoot, but then I went even shorter for the NRJ Music Awards [in January 2008]. My hairdresser just said, “I don’t feel like doing your hair anymore—I want to cut it.” I was like, Finally!

Glamour: Let’s talk about this past year—you’ve obviously been through some difficult things. How did the people around you help you cope?

Rihanna: My friends and family have been extremely supportive, and everyone has been there for me. But at some point you are there alone. It’s a lonely place to be—no one can understand. That’s when you get close to God.

Glamour: Are you referring to the [Chris Brown] incident?

Rihanna: I am talking about starting with the night [before] the Grammys and then on. That was not the only thing that occurred this year. The picture leaking…it was one thing after another.

Glamour: You’re talking about the photo [reportedly of Rihanna’s injured face taken by police after Brown assaulted her] that was allegedly leaked by cops. You handled that so well; you kept silent in the press.

Rihanna: It was humiliating; that is not a photo you would show to anybody. I felt completely taken advantage of. I felt like people were making it into a fun topic on the Internet, and it’s my life. I was disappointed, especially when I found out the photo was [supposedly leaked by] two women.

Glamour: How has this event changed you as a person, as a woman?

Rihanna: I’m stronger, wiser and more aware. You don’t realize how much your decisions affect people you don’t even know, like fans.

Glamour: Do you think you’ve gotten your strength from your mom?

Rihanna: Definitely. My mom gave us the tools to survive…. My parents separated when I was eight or nine. I helped her raise my [youngest] brother, because my mom was working all the time. He’s my favorite.

Glamour: Do you feel that this experience has laid the groundwork for coping with anything so public again?

Rihanna: It has taught me so much. I felt like I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears. That was the level of media chaos that happened the next day. It was like, What, there are helicopters circling my house? There are 100 people in my cul-de-sac? What do you mean, I can’t go back home?

Read More of her exclusive interview...

Be sure to pick up the December 2009 issue of Glamour Magazine.

Rihanna Breaks Her Silence

Be sure to tune in to Good Morning America on Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 a.m. ET, and 20/20 on Friday, Nov. 6 at 10 p.m. ET.

Get those DVR's set to record!!

Chris Brown In Miami

Reports are that Chris and Rihanna are back together. Its good that she is willing to give him a second chance. Everyone makes mistakes! The saying is, "Forgive but don't Forget!" Let's hope that he doesn't do this again and learns from his mistakes and gets the help that he needs. I know everyone won't agree with me on this one. But I say, Rihanna do YOU!!!! It seems Chris and Rihanna has spent time together and staying at Diddy's house in Miami. Here are pics of Chris kickin it in Miami while Rihanna stayed behind at the house. :-)

Chris Brown "Sorry and Saddened"

Chris Brown so far has kept quiet about the allegations against him and ex-girlfriend Rihanna, Chris finally has releases a statement via his PR rep ....

"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," he said. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person. Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong. While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writings under my name are frauds."

Everyone knows you can't believe what the media says. They give some truth but then over exagerate to make a better story.

Chris Brown Physically Abusive to Rihanna?????

The Grammy Awards are no doubt the biggest night for the music industry, which is why it was seriously surprising when both Chris Brown and Rihanna failed to show up for their scheduled performances. A publicist for Brown declined to comment, but the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the 19-year-old singer was under investigation for felony domestic battery stemming from an incident the night before. Brown and a female companion (Rihanna) allegedly got into a disagreement after attending Clive Davis' annual Pre-Grammy Bash. The argument apparently got out of hand and police told E! News that "the woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker." The identity of the woman has not been released, but E! News reports that unknown sources have identified Rihanna as the alleged victim. A representative for Rihanna told E! that the singer was in a traffic mishap and is fine, but would not be attending the Grammy Awards. LAPD is apparently searching for Brown, telling E!: When we can find him we will take him into custody for questioning," says Officer Karen Smith, an LAPD spokeswoman. "If there is probable cause for an arrest, then he will be arrested."

This is so disheartening. Noone wants to think Chris Brown is a woman beater. This could very much end his career. Who wants to support a woman beater? I know if its true, I sure won't cause I love me some Rihanna!!! Stay tuned...

~Stylish and Sexy