Rihanna says Chris Brown attack was 'liberation'

She said: "It gave me guns. I was like, well, f***. They [the public] 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."

They have since collaborated on two tracks and been seen together at a string of showbusiness events, while last year Rihanna allowed the conditions of Brown's restraining order to be relaxed.

The couple had been together for two years prior to the incident, which resulted in Brown being sentenced to 180 hours community service and five years probation.

But Rihanna has refused to bow to critics who say she should avoid all contact with him.

She said: "People end up wasting their time on the blogs 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."

Meanwhile reports suggested Rihanna had ignored orders from her management team to keep away from Brown.

A source told a US newspaper: "Her management banned her from reuniting with Chris, but she said she'll do whatever the hell she wants to.

"Rihanna is rebelling. She says they have been working her too hard and she wants some time to herself. They fear she'll secretly record an album with Brown, just to defy them."