14 DAY TRIAL // Since the February 8 incident, when Chris Brown allegedly became physically abusive towards girlfriend Rihanna, leaving her with several contusions, bite marks and a bloody lip and nose, both stars have kept a low profile. Rihanna is the first to be seen in public since the altercation, and yesterday, her people also released the first press statement related to the altercation.
TMZ paparazzi spotted the singer being escorted to LAX the night before her 21st birthday. With her head down and wearing large black shades, Rihanna refused to speak to the paps, as also did the members of her entourage. However, a few hours later, her people released the first statement since the incident, explaining why Rihanna would not say anything about it while also thanking the millions of fans worldwide for their support and love.
“At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown. She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time.” the statement read. In all fairness, several media outlets are now saying, Rihanna’s statement comes off as much more diplomatic and heartfelt than Chris Brown’s did.
Yesterday, a photo allegedly from the case now undergoing investigation with the LAPD, showing Rihanna with injuries on her face, was leaked on the Internet. It came to show that, indeed, whatever it was that happened on February 8 was not just a lovers’ fight as some believed, but truly something serious. While the police are investigating the leak (since it’s against the norm to go public with photos of domestic violence victims), Rihanna’s father is also speaking out, saying that the photo couldn’t have come at a better time, in a way, because it shows the world what Brown really is capable of.
“Yeah, I saw it,” Ronald Fenty tells Us Weekly. “It’s disturbing. [People will now be able to] grasp the situation a lot better. It’s good and it’s bad to see the picture because there’s other people who were thinking differently, that [Rihanna’s injuries] may not be that bad, just a little spank or a little thing.” the singer’s father adds for the same publication.