Music Blogs

Rihanna and Chris Brown must have known it would happen eventually. Ever since reports first emerged of the alleged fight between the pair last month, people from all walks of life have been falling over themselves to spout their advice, from newspaper columnists to domestic violence experts to blinging music superstars such as Kanye West and Jay-Z. Well, finally, the last word looks to have been delivered after Oprah Winfrey offered her thoughts on the incident, which put Brown in court last week and leaves Rihanna still seemingly in hiding.

Oprah gave her perspective on the subject during Friday's chat show, 24 hours after the supposed assailant was charged in Los Angeles with assault likely to cause great bodily injury and making criminal threats. She is clearly fearful for the well-being of those involved, telling the audience: "Both Chris Brown and Rihanna, if I were your friend, I'd call you up and say, 'Give it some time. Get yourself some counselling. Take care of yourself. Heal yourself first.'" Famethrowa presumes these comments are in reference to the rumours that the couple have dashed straight back into each other's arms, with some reports even claiming they plan to marry.

According to more unsubstantiated gossip today, Brown will have to pay Rihanna £7 million if he "as much as squeezes her arm the wrong way", something Winfrey seems convinced will happen. In her most pointed comment, she said: "If a man hits you once, he will hit you again. He will hit you again." There is much talk here of redemption via counselling and anger management, but Whitney Houston, whose infamously turbulent marriage to Bobby Brown ended in 2007, has also spoken out in equally forthright fashion. "Don't make the same mistakes I did. Whenever you let your heart rule your head, you are bound to run into trouble", she explained. Question is, does Rihanna really have the sense and bravery to run in the opposite direction to this trouble?