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Singer Thanks Fans; Won't Discuss Brown

AP Photo

Singer Rihanna thanked fans for their support, but declined to discuss Chris Brown.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 21, 2009

Updated:

In her first statement since she was allegedly attacked by Chris Brown, Rihanna thanked fans for their support but declined to address the accusations against her boyfriend, citing an ongoing police investigation.

"At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown," read a statement released by Rubenstein Associates. "She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time."

The statement was released hours after the Web site TMZ released a photo that purportedly shows the battered face of the pop star, with bruises on her forehead, bloody lips and other marks on her face.

The Los Angeles Police Department announced it was investigating the leak shortly after the photos were posted Thursday evening. On Friday, Chief William Bratton said his department is conducting an internal investigation, as well as a criminal conspiracy case that could result in up to three years in prison.

Brown, 19, is under investigation for an attack on a woman in the hours leading up to this month's Grammy awards in Los Angeles; a person familiar with the situation, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and requested anonymity, has confirmed that the woman was Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

Rapper Tells Youths Stay In School

A month from beginning a yearlong federal prison sentence, rapper T.I. was in court again Friday, but this time he wasn't in the hot seat.

The 28-year-old performer, whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., spoke to dozens of high school students - half serving juvenile sentences - gathered at the Georgia Supreme Court.

"You can see from me that nobody is too rich, too famous, too cool, too good-looking or too young to make a mistake and pay a price for it," said Harris, dressed in jeans, a gray hooded sweat shirt and a blue knit hat. "More important than the mistake you make, though, is what you are able to take away from that mistake. How can you use that mistake to ensure you will never make a similar mistake again?"

He told them to work hard, stay in school and do what is necessary to get what they want in life.

"Education is more important than any material thing you can have," said Harris, who only has a high school diploma. "The things you do not have in your life, the things you do not have in your possession, will be a reflection of the things you have not learned."

He warned the teens from high schools across metro Atlanta to learn from his mistakes, which include a 2008 federal firearms conviction that will send him to prison for a year starting next month. His appearance was part of 1,000 hours of community service he must complete under that sentence.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Rue McClanahan is 74. Film/music company executive David Geffen is 66. Actor Kelsey Grammer is 54. Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt is 30. Football player Braylon Edwards is 26. Singer Charlotte Church is 23. Actress Ellen Page (Film: "Juno") is 22. Actor Corbin Bleu is 20.

Source: The Associated Press

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