Rihanna tells Oprah she still loves Chris Brown

Rihanna opens up to Oprah Winfrey for "Oprah's Next Chapter" on OWN.

/ OWN

(CBS News) Rihanna opened up to Oprah Winfrey on "Oprah's Next Chapter" Sunday saying she and her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, "love each other."

The singer let Oprah's cameras into her home in Barbados for an emotional interview, in which she discussed her relationship with Brown, who assaulted her in 2009.

Pictures: Rihanna

Rihanna described the Brown incident on the eve of the Grammy's in 2009 as "humiliating" and "hurtful." Brown pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge and was sentenced to community service, five years' probation and domestic violence counseling.

"Everything I knew switched in a night and I couldn't control that," explained Rihanna to Oprah. She went on to say that she felt protective of Brown. "As angry as I was, as angry, hurt and betrayed I just felt like he made that mistake because he needed help. Everybody's gonna say he's a monster without looking at the source. Who's gonna help him?"

The singer said that after the restraining order was dropped, the two started working on their friendship" little by little."

"We've been working on our friendship again. Now we are very very close friends, we built a trust again," Rihanna explained. "We love each other and we probably always will and that is not anything that we are going to try to change. That is not something you can shut off if you are ever in love."

The 24-year-old singer denied that the two are getting back together, stating that she is single and he is in a relationship of his own. But, she explained to Oprah, she is still concerned for Brown's well being.

"And the main thing for me is that he is at peace. I'm not at peace if he is unhappy or he is still lonely. I care. It actually matters that he finds peace."

Rihanna Opens Up About Chris Brown

[unclebernies]

Men that strike women don't stop after saying they are sorry. They have mental issues and will almost certainly snap at some point. Rhianna will find out the hard way.

[Jaylah54200]

I lost all respect for her after she went back.

It can happen to anybody ONCE. But when you go back, you're just saying, "It's okay with me if you do it again."

[Jaylah54200]

By the way, you can love somebody, but still have enough self-respect to keep your distance after they've harmed you.

Self-respect: something Rihanna obviously knows nothing about.

[rightontarget]

I have no respect for either one of them. Maybe she is just trying to pave the way with her fans to make an excuse to get back together with him. Whatever happens, they deserve each other.

[ReckonedTruth]

iit's call forgiving someone a HUMAN LOVING STRAIT.. so she can have PEACE..and to acceept one's apology..

..its their BUSINESS not your or I..

I admire her for her position on the matter..and it's her choice- rather PPL like it or not..

BTW--both she and Chris have battered each other..

many say.. a REAL man will not hit a woman.. and I say as many have said.. a REAL woman won't hit a man either..so this works BOTH ways..

[rightontarget]

Well, Reconed, I still think she is doing it more for her own publicity and the backing of her "fans" than for actual "forgiveness". I have no doubt the she and Chris "battered" each other. For that reason I say Whatever happens, they deserve each other, just not all the "attention" this mess has gotten. Still, no respect for either one of them.