Did Rihanna & Chris Brown Reconcile?

The Two Superstars Reportedly Together In Miami After Grammy Night Assault Allegations

(CBS)  It's a story that shocked the entertainment world -- accusations of domestic violence between two of the hottest stars in music. But now Rihanna and Chris Brown appear to be back together.

The singers have reportedly reconciled less than three weeks after Brown allegedly assaulted Rihanna the night before the Grammy Awards.

According to People magazine, the couple made up after Brown called Rihanna on her 21st birthday, ten days ago. And now there are reports of the two spending time together at media mogul Diddy's Florida mansion.

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Photos: Rihanna

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Fresh photos reveal Rihanna, wearing a white bikini in Mexico just before her trip to Florida, and Brown, riding a jet ski off Miami.

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Photos: Chris Brown

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The two go head to head today when voting begins for Nickelodeon's "Kid's Choice Awards." Her "Don't Stop The Music" and his "Kiss Kiss" are competing for best song.

Julie Dam, People's senior editor and clinical psychologist Dr. Jeff Gardere talked to Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen about the apparent reconciliation.

"Julie, People broke the story that they got back together. How did it happen?" Chen asked.

"Well, you know he did reach out to her on her birthday last week. And since then they've sort of been mutually talking. And as of last week, they were together in Miami," Dam said.

"Was that the first time that they spoke, when he called her on her birthday, or had they been in contact all along and maybe never really broke up?" Chen asked.

"I think it was sort of the big moment when he called her on her birthday and they both care about each other, we're told, and they want to work out their issues," Dam said.

"Jeff, does this surprise you that they're back together?"

"Julie, it doesn't surprise me at all because we see, in the cycle of domestic violence, if, in fact, this happened and we think it has, of course, that when the perpetrator, the abuser, finds himself in a situation of he's in trouble in the relationship, he's on the outs in the relationship, he will beg to come back. He will send gifts, and we know gifts have been sent. He will say, 'I won't do it again.' And with the victim of the domestic violence, we find that they sometimes blame themselves or feel that they're responsible for what has happened," Gardere said.

Gardere also pointed to the love factor.

"These are two young people, and if you're in love, it's just very difficult to say goodbye even though this can be a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation now and in the future," he explained.

Considering Rihanna is only 21 and Brown is 19, Chen inquired if youth played a role in the apparent reconciliation.

"You know what? I don't think it's just about the youth here, because we see that older folks in their 30's, 40's and so on, who are involved in domestic violence. They break up and they come back together. It's very rare that we see someone actually walk away from an issue of domestic violence. Again, being younger, perhaps they may not have the wherewithal or the wisdom to say, 'We're really in trouble.' But they're probably hearing it from the parents and the fans, of course, more than anything else," Gardere said.

"What's the likeliness that there will be abuse in the future if they stay together?" Chen asked.

"If they stay together and this abuse has happened, there's a very high probability it will happen again, especially if this individual, Chris, does not get some sort of counseling and if Rihanna doesn't force him to be in counseling or them being in counseling together. Because we find out that some of the female victims of domestic violence, quite often, end up choosing other people, who are abusers because they don't work out the emotional issues that may draw them to those people who perpetrate violence against them," Gardere said.

"Earlier Dr. Gardere mentioned that gifts were involved, not just contact, not just a phone call. Do you know what gifts were involved that he got her for her birthday?" Chen asked.

"We don't know what gifts exactly, but we definitely know that they have been in contact and he's saying that he is really sad and reflective about what happened, but he's really happy to be with the woman he loves," Dam said.

"What does this do to their careers, this reconciliation?" Chen asked.

"I think it remains to be seen. We want to hear what they both have to say about this. The initial response from fans is one of shock. Some people are very disappointed. But, we need to know what they are going to say about this," Dam said.

"And something very disturbing we found out, many of the young women who are fans, or some of them, at least, have said maybe she deserved this. Maybe she pushed his buttons. So that's why, when we deal with domestic violence, we have to also deal with the victims, too, and look at their psychological mindset. Are they into stereotype thinking that they have to be the hand maidens to some of these guys, especially the ones who are abusers. You have to treat it all across the board, not just the perpetrators," Gardere said.

[phottie]

YOU PEOPLE ARE SO IGNORANT YOU THINK RIHANNA IS THE FIRST ABUSED WOMAN IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP SHE ISN'T!!!!!!!! QUIT MAKING THIS OUT TO BE SOMETHING THAT ITS NOT!!!!!!!!!!!! PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES EITHER THEY LEARN FROM THEM OR THEY CONTINUE TO MAKE THE SAME STUPID MISTAKES..........HOW CAN YOU JUDGE CHRIS BROWN WHEN HALF OF YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR ABUSED SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFETIME.........RIHANNA IS NOT THE FIRST NOR THE LAST!!!!!! YOU THINK CELEBRITIES AREN'T HUMAN!!!!!!!! IF THEY GET COUNSELING AND WANT STAY TOGETHER THATS THEM THATS THEIR LIFE.........NO ONE KNOWS WHAT WENT ON IN THAT CAR......I BLAME THEM BOTH

[bugsme009]

As a survivor of a violent relationship, I do not judge her, as I know where she is coming from.
I kept going back to the abuse as I loved him and kept thinking he would change. I finally got it through my head nothing was going to change until I ended up dead! I just pray that Rihanna will listen to the advice of Survivors of Domestic Violence advice. I am sickened by some of the remarks left by narrow minded men have left. They must be abusers themselves.
Best of luck Rihanna and God bless you!

[keithle1]

Why are women so stupid, silly & pathetic when it comes to men?

[keithle1]

Has she said she still loves him yet? I'm waiting for that.

[heliocracy]

Ha! I told you she would get back together with him (seriously, I said so on this message board when this story first broke). Some women seem to respect men who treat them like c*rap...and they are as predictable as the sunrise.

[wayne1960]

Rihanna does not only herself a dis-service by reuniting with her abuser so soon after the incident, but also to all abuse victims and law enforcement persons. Many abuse victims are financially trapped, and unable to escape, she most certainly is not, yet she reinforces the notion that an abuser can change with nothing more than a promise "if only the woman will take him back". Personal relationships aren't easily evaluated by someone not in the relationship, but the very least she needs to do is make sure that Brown receives intense counselling and therapy, publicly adomits to whatever he did, and publicly urges ALL abusers, male or female to get therapy, and she needs to do this BEFORE she re-enters a relationship with him.

[Ceres6]

Let's hope that next time that Macho Man Brown beats the hell out of Rihanna, she does not end up in a coma or in the morgue.

[ekucrew]

If she's back at it with him she should remain silent and not report it when he makes her teeth rattle the next time.

[mzki12]

He probably didn't hit her hard enough or as a true christian she is giving him the other cheek. In God We Trust?

[wheear]

Hit me with an unbrella, brella, brella, brella,,,,,,
Hit me with an unbrella, brella, brella, brella,,,,,,

[mneavins]

What Cris did was wrong. But sometimes things happen by mistake.I just hope that he realize,what he did was wrong,and I think that it's a good thing that Rihanna,forgave him. I know that they truly loves each other.Chris should never hit you again, If you even think that it might happen again.You must move on.Okay
MNeavins

[myisha22]

Rhianna, gurl I hope he's worth it, and Chris, ur a BI**H for hitting on that girl like that, it dont matter what the reason was, didn't anybody teach not to hit women, u f-ing fool

[x7SiNzx]

Way to go Rihanna, you just set women back 20 years. Let me get this straight. Your message is, stay with him right? He won't do it again right? He beat you because he loves you right? As long as you act right he won't do it again right? Wrong on all counts. You need some help.

[msay3]

Beauty fades, but dumb is forever....

[trini_girl]

this girl is really stupid im being truthful man being from the caribbean im shame yeah i love chris music and he's cute but he beat you and your still with him wat kinda example are you setting for young girls. for all we know you maybe use to the beating yo so its normal for you good luck with your relationship. chris i still love you and riri if your career goin down hill yo know why.

[jnoelreyes113005]

all i wonder is why did rhianna report anything knowing that this could jepordize chris brown's career and reputation and she knew she was going to get back together with him. this is the same mistake that most women always make when it comes to domestic violence. if you are steady going back to the man that is harming you then you should expect to be treated the same way again and again and continue to look stupid because you don't love yourself enough to get out of it. so rhianna if this really happened you got ahat you deserved!!!!!

[km264]

It's her business, but she doesn't need to expect pity the next time it happens. It'll be just as much her fault for sticking around as it is his for doing it again.

[lolo_monkey]

I feel for them and their dilemma:
First of all I feel people can change, there are times, specially in young coulples that there is violence and harsh words almost every day.
But through time people can sort these issues, there just needs to be more communication and absolutely no addictions.
Still, I feel things are harder on her because she is an idol, and her accepting him after this does not reflect good on woman around the world.
And I do believe they need to take a break...discover what they really want.
If things are too rushed, just like a bad argument, things may escalate to horrifying rather quickly.

-Once upon a time, I too was hit, but now I have been 6 years happily married and we rarely argue, and when we do its more fun than hate...

[candy-apple]

Rihanna needs to have a conversation with Tina!!

[jcrocker15]

CBS is amazing! The picture says it's from a performance from "Dec. 12, 2009", that means CBS is the only news source that can get information from the future. Well done CBS! This more than tops the CNN hologram. Can we get a shot of the recession and war on terror ending next?