Chris Brown On Oprah's Lack of Support

UPDATE 10/23/09: Jive Records crooner Chris Brown spoke to Angie Martinez of New York radio station, Hot 97's about his disappointment in Oprah Winfrey for her lack of support following his assault of ex-girlfriend Rihanna.      

"I don't dis her because I respect what she does for women around the world. But we did so many things together as far as me working for her schools in Africa, that I feel at the time I needed a helping hand, not for my career but as a person, instead of her pointing fingers," said Brown. "At the end of the day, you have opinions and thoughts, and that isn't wrong, but it's not right to judge someone when people make mistakes all the time. I learned from mine, I'm still learning and I regret every moment, every second."      

Still he expressed his grattitude from support of Will Smith and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. "As a young man I needed older black role models to mold me. I didn't need people bashing me or shutting the door on me," he said.      

 He also admitted that his counseling and domestic violence classes have helped him move forward, but refused to address questions about whether he and ex-girlfriend
Rihanna's relationship had a history of violence before the last incident. "No one knows what went on in that car, but out of respect of me and my privacy and her, I don't talk about it. Whether its reports or media or stuff that's been altered or falsified, I'm not justifying what went down. I still realize what I did is not ok in any way, shape or form."      

Brown admits that he has been affected by all the media's criticism of him. "At the end of the day, people don't realize I'm human. I go home, hurt, cry, feel pain, embarrassment, ashamed."  But promised to continue working on becoming a better person. "I smile, but people can't expect me to walk around everyday of my life frowning," he said. "Life is too short, I love my life and I love my fans and I love me. I'm sorry for what I've done, but the only person that can judge me is God." --KNB    

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Are Rihanna and Chris Brown Still Together?

The questions are swirling after singer Chris Brown was photographed leaving a tattoo Parlor in West Hollywood with Girlicious singer Natalie Meji on April 13. According to a report by Us Weekly, after seeing the photos, Rihanna texted the R & B singer, who, in return, replied "It's none of your business." Brown's rep has denied that he and Rihanna are dating, and told People Magazine that he was with "a woman named Dean," according to msnbc.com. However, in an April 13 statement made to Radaronline.com, Meji told the publication, "Things are going well between us. ... [Brown] has treated me like a gentleman at all times." Neither Brown nor Rihanna have confirmed a breakup. -LB

Rihanna Comes Out of Hiding

Fans have had enough Rihanna sightings partying at trendy night clubs and celebrating with grandparents in her native Barbados, but she'll soon come face to face with 25,000 people in Dubai. On May 28 the pop princess will perform at a venue still to be determined, making this her first professional appearance since the alleged physical altercation with Chris Brown. Rihanna was forced to postpone the Indonesia and Malaysian dates of her "Good Girl Gone Bad" tour in February because of the incident."—PSS

Rihanna's Dad: "I Want Chris Brown to Pay"

When it comes to Daddy's little girl, Robert Fenty has been more than vocal about his pop princess daughter Rihanna's alleged attack by boyfriend Chris Brown. After pleading not guilty, the "Kiss, Kiss" singer has Fenty asking facetiously "who done it?," according to Us Weekly.

"So what happened? Somebody else did this to Rihanna then...If he's not guilty, who did it? He should say ‘guilty' and let the court be leaning into him and try himself to the mercy of the court, see if he gets a fine... Now he's going to go beyond that and it could go longer, it can be even worse. It can be worse for him in the long run," said Fenty.

Despite Rihanna's alleged beatdown, Fenty remarkably hasn't totally condemned her abuser. "I just would like to see justice go in the right direction. I don't want his career to be damaged—it's damaged already...I think he's a talented guy, but everybody should have to pay. When you do the crime, you do the time. I don't want to see him locked up for a long time—I just want him to acknowledge and get some help."—KNB

Keep checking in with ESSENCE.com for all the details.

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