Chris Brown’s relationship with singer Rihanna came to a rough end in 2009, after living a whirlwind love story for nearly two years.
Like most fairy tale romance stories, Rihanna and Chris Brown’s love started on friendly terms, with the duo growing their relationship into something bigger. With time, they became a couple, remaining inseparable as their romance progressed at a fast pace.
The lovebirds were the cynosure of all eyes, with their romance making it into the covers of major magazines. Soon, it became apparent the duo were destined for each other, thanks to their shared love, connection, and commitment.
However, just when many expected the couple to take their whirlwind relationship a notch further, it collapsed without warning following an abuse scandal. They reconnected again briefly in 2012 before eventually going their separate ways for good.
Over a decade later, the one-time Hollywood sweethearts still share their affection for each other. However, a replay of their love story still seems unlikely.
CHRIS BROWN AND RIHANNA’S RELATIONSHIP
Brown and Rihanna first encountered each other in 2005 and connected instantly. Their connection gave way to a sustainable friendship between the then-teenagers. They hung out with the same group, celebrated milestone moments together, and attended red carpet events as close friends.
In 2007, their closeness evolved into a burgeoning romance, which they both embraced wholeheartedly. That marked the onset of Rihanna and Chris Brown’s love story.
Although the pair denied every speculation of a relationship between them at the onset, they made several public appearances as a couple. Together, they graced red carpet events, honored several dates, took romantic trips to dream destinations, toured as a couple, and even did a mind-blowing stage performance of Rihanna’s song, “Umbrella.”
In 2008, after eight months of keeping their romance private, the twosome finally confirmed they were officially a couple.
HOW THEIR RELATIONSHIP TURNED SOUR
Rihanna and Chris Brown’s relationship took a downward spiral in 2008. On February 8 that year, the two engaged in a public brawl, which reportedly began after the “Umbrella” singer read a three-page text message on Brown’s phone from another woman.
According to reports, Rihanna’s move attracted a violent reaction from Brown, who slammed her head against the passenger window. While still driving, he kept hitting her repeatedly with his right hand, leaving her severely bruised. The incident led to Brown’s arrest. Rihanna also requested a restraining order against him.
Weeks later, speculations of the lovebirds reuniting despite the assault case flooded the media. They reportedly enjoyed a romantic getaway in Diddy’s Star Island mansion in Miami, Florida.
Despite the speculations, Brown still had his day in court on March 5, 2009, regarding the assault scandal. Following his appearance at the Superior Court of Los Angeles, the singer received two felony charges for assault. The judge sentenced him to five-year probation and 1400 hours of community service.
After that, the exes moved on to other love interests.
A RECONNECTION?
In February 2011, the court eased Rihanna’s restraining order against her former love interest. The judge permitted the two to make contact with each other, but under the condition that Brown refrained from annoying, molesting, or harassing the “Emergency Room” singer.
A year later, the songstress featured Brown in the remix of her song, “Birthday Cake,” shocking the world. Shortly after, Rihanna reciprocated, making a guest appearance in Chris Brown’s “Turn Up The Music” from his “Fortune” album.
Their friendship flourished thereafter, with the duo cozying up together at several public events. Chris Brown’s girlfriend at the time, Karreuche, seemed uncomfortable with their closeness, as they broke up shortly after the “Turn Up The Music” singer reignited his friendship with Rihanna.
Brown confirmed his split from Karreuche in October 2012, via a press statement, saying he loved her but did not want her hurting over his friendship with Rihanna. He released a video days later, admitting he loved two women at the same time, supposedly referring to Karreuche and Rihanna.
Not long after posting his confessional video, Chris earned a chance to become Rihana’s boyfriend a second time. Their second trial at love did not work out well, and the two split for good in early 2013.
CHRIS BROWN’S REGRETS
Brown has been candid about the assault scandal with his ex, Rihanna, and the effect the incident had on him. In his 2017 documentary titled “Chris Brown: Welcome To My Life,” the 31-year-old opened up about his past abusive relationship. The star admitted that the incident made him feel like a monster.
Going further, the icon gave a detailed account of the confrontation leading to his February 2009 arrest. According to him, an earlier cheating scandal with an ex-partner made the songstress lose her trust in him, putting them at loggerheads. Their fights soon escalated beyond them, making the relationship a dangerous one.
LOVING EACH OTHER AGAINST ALL ODDS
While speaking to Oprah Winfrey in her “Supersoul Conversations” podcast, Rihanna opened up about her feelings for Brown years after their breakup. In the 2012 interview, she admitted to the television personality that she and Chris Brown have been working on their friendship, making them “very, very close friends.”
She also admitted they had learned to trust each other again. Going further, she proclaimed her love for her ex-boyfriend, saying they loved each other now and always and never planned to change that.
Her revelation in the Oprah Winfrey interview, which resurfaced in September 2020, raised public speculations of an impending reconnection between the two love birds. Chris Brown’s earlier assertion of his love for the singer in his 2017 documentary did little to curb the speculations. Coupled with his viral video posted in January 2020, where he confirmed he was in love with “Her” after all these years because “time has no relevance when it’s unconditional.”
Although the music star named no one in particular in the video, fans immediately deduced he was referring to his long-time love, Rihanna.