Rihanna’s ‘Complex’ Cover Story: Chris Brown Is Still “Nobody’s Business”

Hey, it’s Rihanna on the cover of Complex magazine! And in addition to shooting 25,000 (current estimate) exclusive covers for the mag’s February/March issue, the queen of all things #RATCHET and #UNALOPOGETIC also gave an interview that was fairly revealing, although perhaps not necessarily in the way she’d wanted.

Sure, she talked about her propensity for self-pics — even doling out some very handy advice on how to take the perfect Instagram, although looking like Rihanna probably helps — but the most telling moment of the interview (which is well worth a read) comes toward the end, when the reporter asks her about the fallacy inherent to her duet with Chris Brown, “Nobody’s Business.” 

Before leaving the restaurant for the airport, Rihanna addresses one last question. It’s the biggest question surrounding the song: If her relationship with Brown is truly nobody’s business, then why make a record about it?

Her voice, usually warm and cut with chuckles, turns cold. ‘Pardon me?’ she replies, her eyebrow slightly raised. Even after the question is repeated, she hesitates to answer. The hands that moved up and down throughout the conversation, suddenly fall flat. ‘It’s the truth. Remember?’ she says, turning toward the other side of the table to gather her belongings. As she gets up to leave, she adds: ‘It’s a fun record that The-Dream wrote and we loved the lyrics. You’re still asking me questions about it so clearly you don’t know.’

That sounds awkward, and her argument is unconvincing, so there’s that. But most importantly, major props to the journalist who dared to question her about it because, again, that sounds awkward.

[via Complex]