Rihanna defends reconciliation with Chris Brown

Rihanna on the May 2012 cover of Elle magazine.

/ Elle

(CBS News) Rihanna says she understands the backlash over her reconciliation with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown - but she's not apologizing for it.

The singer, who was assaulted by Brown three years ago, opens up about their public reunion (including collaborating on music) in the May issue of Elle magazine.

Pictures: Rihanna
Pictures: Chris Brown

"The bottom line is that everyone thinks differently. It's very hard for me to accept, but I get it," she said in the interview. "People end up wasting their time on the blogs or whatever, ranting away, and that's all right. Because tomorrow I'm still going to be the same person. I'm still going to do what I want to do."

She also revealed that Brown's attack ultimately made her stronger.

"It gave me guns," she told the magazine. "I was like, well, f---. They know more about me than I want them to know. It's embarrassing. But that was my opening. That was my liberation, my moment of bring it. [...] Now you know that, so you can say what you want about it. I don't have anything to hide."

The Barbados-born 24-year-old said she'd love to have kids one day.

"It could be tomorrow. It could be 20 years from now. I just feel like when the time is right, God will send me a little angel," she shared. "But first, of course, I have to find a man. I mean, there's a very important missing piece to the puzzle here!"

"I feel like it's hard for everybody!" she added, of finding the right guy. "I don't think it has anything to do with being famous. There's just a major drought out there. ... But I just need to find the person who balances me out, because then things like my schedule won't matter. I've done it before, so I know I can do it again."

The May issue of Elle hits newsstands on April 17.

Elle

Elle

20 Photos

Rihanna

[SarahBOhio]

It's her life, if she wants to live it foolishly, that's her choice. But when he inevitably gives her a black eye and breaks her jaw, don't whine and cry about it.

[AnnieDanny]

If they stay off of drugs and booze, it might work. Apparently that was part of the problem when he got rough with her, they had been to a party. People don't factor that into relationship problems, but it would be interesting to know the statistics... how many fights are started while one or both are under the influence of something.

I agree with her, that she deserves some privacy.

[moses841]

DONT BUY THEIR MUSIC DONT LET YOUR CHILDREN BUY THEIR MUSIC

[moses841]

IM PRETTY SURE CHRIS BROWN IS GOING TO KILL HER..100% SURE...SHE SHOULDNT DO THIS

[sickofbull]

Well, now, she is NOT known for being particularly smart. Nuf said.

[ccfsdca]

they could be proof that it is possible for a couple to reconcile after one act of violence if the man truly takes responsibility and gets help etc. or he could beat her up again and she'll get no sympathy from anybody except gloria allred and even then, only if gloria gets a tv gig out of it. now let's all MOVE ON to some REAL news, am i right?

[venusvegasvada]

Rihanna?

Jim Marshall died today. You know, the Marshall Stack? Jimi Hendrix?

Nothing on it here. Zip. Zero.

Get it together CBS.

[sickofbull]

Aw, the Lord of Loud. Rest in peace, sir. Rock and roll will not be the same.

[longtree-2009]

she is not very attractive so maybe she thinks he is the best she can do?

[ssporleder]

I will applaud her for NOT apologizing for her actions.

If only more people would stick to their guns and not apologize when someone gets their panties in a twist.

[afrazier1]

Very interesting, because in about two years we get to go through this whole mess again. He's a serial woman beater but then she's into S&M so they make the perfect couple up and until the kid comes into the picture. Family life is not what she thinks it is. I wish her the best of luck but I still refuse to play Chris Brown's music.