Rihanna's PR machine thinks it's time she discussed that whole Chris Brown thing...oh, and her new cd!

Oh, Rihanna.

Where to begin? I'm disgusted, but totally not surprised that the timing of RiRi's new cd, "Rated R" (bleh) and the fact the she's finally addressing the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of Chris Brown. I realize, of course that she is in show business, and that means lots of money for lots of people. Why waste a perfectly good opportunity to promote one's new cd by NOT offering to talk about the controversy? Psssh.

I'd have a whole lot more respect for Rihanna had she spoken out after she had gathered her thoughts soon after the attack. Yes, there were court hearings that may have prevented some of what she could have offered other victims, but the timing of these interviews (including 20/20 Friday night with Diane Sawyer) just reeks of opportunistic record lables and PR crap. (Sorry that whole last sentence was REDUNDANT.)

Here's a snippet of an interview Rihanna gave Glamour Magazine:

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.

Is it just me, or does Rihanna seem more upset about the leaked photo, showing her sad and beaten, than the actual assault itself? If she's more concerned about the behavior of the women who may or may not have leaked the photo, there's a problem.

Rihanna has been given a huge opportunity to speak out against domestic violence. I hope she says more about the REAL subject on 20/20. Too many young women still believe she "deserved it".

Rihanna? Do the right thing.