Just In: Rihanna Speaks On Chris Brown and Why She Didn’t Attend Katy Perry’s Wedding

Rihanna on Chris Brown: “I Needed That Wake-Up Call”

More than a year after Chris Brown pled guilty to assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna in February 2009, the 22-year-old singer tells the December issue of Marie Claire UK that she doesn’t regret the traumatic experience.

“God has a crazy way of working, and sometimes when stuff happens you feel like, ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ Why was it backfiring on me?'” she recalls. “But I needed that wake-up call in my life. I needed a turning point, and that’s what God was giving to me.”

At the time, however, Rihanna says it was difficult to go through such a painful relationship in the public eye.

“All this terrible stuff they say to you, it breaks you down,” she says.

“[But] once you’re back on your feet — if you ever make it back on your feet — that’s the ultimate achievement.”

Still, she admits it wasn’t easy to break up with Brown, 21, who later pled guilty to a felony and accepted a plea deal that included more than 1,400 hours for community labor in addition to five years probation.

So how did Rihanna finally find the strength to end the toxic relationship?

“I remember I was in New York at the Trump Hotel and I woke up and I just knew I was over it. It was a different day. I felt different. I didn’t feel lonely,” she recalls. “I felt like I wanted to get up and be in the world. That was a great, great feeling.”

And she hasn’t looked back since.

“I feel like I smile for real this time. The smiles come from inside, and it exudes in everything I do,” she says. “People feel my energy is different. When I smile they can tell that it’s pure bliss and not just a cover up.”

Why Rihanna Skipped BFF Katy Perry’s Wedding

Katy Perry tied the knot with Russell Brand in India over the weekend, she was noticeably short one equally famous gal pal: Rihanna.

One of Perry‘s best friends, Rihanna, 22, was on hand for Perry‘s epic Vegas bachelorette bash in September, but wasn’t among friends and family when Perry, 25, wed Brand, 35, on an Indian tiger reserve on Oct. 23.

Why the no-show?

“Rih was finishing her album, and she just switched managers, so she had to pull out at the last minute,” a source close to the “Only Girl (In the World)” singer explains to UsMagazine.com.

“It was always sort of up in the air that she would go anyway, and Katy knew that,” the source adds. “They saved her a room just in case, but they always knew it would be nearly impossible for her to make it as she’s still finishing the album and it’s out in a few weeks. Rih was in the studio all weekend.”

Perry and Brand exchanged their vows against “the inspirational and majestic countryside of Northern India,” in a ceremony officiated by a Christian minister, according to her rep’s statement. Perry wore an Elie Saab haute couture dress.

The “Firework” singer and the British comic have since flown to the Maldives for their honeymoon.

Rihanna Bought Katy Perry a “Really Cool” Wedding Gift

She may not have been able to attend Katy Perry and Russell Brand‘s wedding in India last weekend, but Rihanna made sure the “Teenage Dream” singer knew she was there in spirit.

“I got her a really, really cool gift,” Rihanna, 22, told Entertainment Tonight Wednesday afternoon. “But I’ll let her tell you about that!”

Though Rihanna said she and Perry continued to text each other prior to the ceremony, she hasn’t heard a peep from her pal since Perry and Brand tied the knot.

“Ever since she’s been there it’s been no text messages because there’s no service,” the “Only Girl (In The World)” singer explained.

Source: UsMagazine

Check out more photos of the besties below…

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Watch It!: Katy Perry to perform on “Saturday Night Live”

“Saturday Night Live” will welcome back a former cast regular as host of its season premiere and has confirmed the hiring of four new featured players in its cast.

“Parks and Recreation” star Amy Poehler will host the Sept. 25 premiere. She was a member of the cast for eight years and has made several return appearances since leaving for “Parks and Rec,” but the premiere will be her first turn as host of the show.

The musical guest will be Katy Perry, who’s making her “SNL” debut. We’re also sort of hoping her fiance, Russell Brand, might make a cameo.

NBC has also confirmed the previously reported additions of four new featured players to the cast: Vanessa Bayer, Paul Brittain, Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah. They represent the biggest infusion of new cast members to the show since 2001, when Poehler and Seth Meyers were among the newcomers.

“SNL” will also air new shows on Oct. 2 and Oct. 9. “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston has said he’s hosting the Oct. 2 episode, but NBC hasn’t officially named the hosts for those weeks. There were also talks that Lindsay Lohan will host “SNL” as well.

Historically, Lohan has been on “SNL” twice before. Once in May 2004 and another in April 2006 when she also poked fun at her bad behavior in a skit.

Lohan, who will complete her rehab stint in early November if everything goes smoothly, is also being pursued by TV Shows for her first post-jail interview. NBC’s “Today” reportedly is the frontrunner although her mother Dina Lohan said that “no final decision has been made”.

“SNL” spokeswoman refused to confirm whether Lohan is a lock, saying “We never comment on upcoming hosts until they’re announced.”

“SNL” repeated the Betty White episode this weekend with musical guest Jay-Z. White won an Emmy for her splendid work on that episode.

Watch It!: Make sure you tune in to watch “Saturday Night Live” on Saturday, Sept. 25th @ 11:30 p.m. on NBC

Out & About: Rihanna Hosts A Bachelorette Party For Katy Perry à la Cirque Du Soleil Along With Strippers

Katy Perry isn’t letting her fiance’s recent arrest get in the way of her having a good time as she celebrated on Saturday her bachelorette party.

Perry, sporting a veil from the bottom of the back of her bikini (think a peacock), arrived at Las Vegas’s Hard Rock Hotel Beach Club pool with an entourage of 25 who included Rihanna and inflatable objects consistent with bachelorette parties, People.com reported.

The large group reportedly went unnoticed as they indulged on champagne, beer and vodka and feasted on finger foods in their VIP cabana.

[Perry and Rihanna hanging out at Hard Rock Hotel Beach Club on Saturday afternoon.]

Perry, wearing a white bikini and sunglasses, appeared to be at ease, she may have been gearing up for a crazier alcohol-fueled night. Shortly after arriving at the pool, she tweeted, “Signing up for a liver transplant now.”

Perry laughed with her friends and briefly danced to the music, but seemed to relish the relaxing environment.

Following their time at pool, Perry and friends reportedly hopped into a stretch Hummer limo to check out Cirque Du Soleil’s “KA” at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, with Perry sporting a lively looking D&G gown. The night, however, was far from over.

Following dinner at Ago, the group headed to XS nightclub, where they sat in a VIP table. Perry, wearing a sparkling black cocktail dress and miniature top hat with a veil. Though Perry and RiRi remained low-key as they sipped Grey Goose at the club, the night was nowhere near finished for the bride-to-be and her BFF, who organized the Sin City event.

Following the club, the group reportedly headed over to Sapphire strip club,where Perry was spotted checking out the female dancers who danced to her songs. She also apparently received a lap dance of  her own from a blonde dancer before the group headed to a private skybox – away from the public’s eye.

The singer’s bachelorette party comes one day after her fiancé Russell Brand was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for attacking a photographer. According to police, Brand, 35, was set off by one of the paparazzi aiming a camera up Perry‘s dress.

The photographer made a citizen’s arrest of the star, who was then taken into custody and arrested for misdemeanor battery. After the incident, Perry tweeted, “If you cross the line & try an[d] put a lens up my dress, my fiancé will do his job & protect me.”

Back in April, Rihanna had spilled the beans that Perry and Brand will return to the site of their New Year’s Eve engagement in India to tie the knot later this year.

Check out more photos of their fun-filled night below…

Sources: People.com, NY Daily News