Rihanna is opening up on the cover of ELLE magazine about why she is still in contact with her abusive ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown.

It’s been over three years since Brown violently beat up Rihanna in his Lamborghini.

“I respect what other people have to say. The bottom line is that everyone thinks differently,” says the singer in regards to fans’ and critics’ feelings about their relationship.

“People end up wasting their time on the blogs or whatever, ranting away, and that’s all right. I don’t hate them for it.”

They always have to bring up the blogs don’t they? [eye roll]

But despite people’s reactions Rihanna could care less saying, “Because tomorrow I’m still going to be the same person. I’m still going to do what I want to do.”

The “We Found Love” singer sees the 2009 assault as a turning point in her life.

“It gave me guns,” she says of the attack. “I was like, well, f***. They 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. I wanted people to know who I am. Whatever they take that to be, good or bad, I just want them to know the truth.”

You can read the rest of the story in the May issue of ELLE magazine.