Inside Music with Melinda Newman

Rihanna to perform tracks from 'Rated R' for the world on Nov. 16

Singer tells 'Good Morning America,' she's 'embarassed' over loving Chris Brown

By Melinda Newman Thursday, Nov 5, 2009 6:03 PM

Rihanna

Credit: David J. Phillip/AP

Rihanna will preview tracks from new album, “Rated R,” on Nov. 16 during a globally streamed live performance from an undisclosed London location.

But first, there’s a little data mining to be done. Nokia is sponsoring the whole shebang, so to take part, you have to sign up to watch the live stream through Nokia’s website at www.nokia.com/rihanna.

And, of course, Nokia then wants you to download a widget that counts down to the performance, download a Rihanna mobile app, and, natch, download the album from the Nokia Music Store. You will then receive Nokia emails/texts for the rest of your life.

The press release announcing the concert calls “Russian Roulette” a “sultry” song. Have they actually listened to the lyrics? Just asking…

In other Rihanna news, because we feel it’s going to be Ri-Ri 24/7 between now and “Rated R’s” Nov. 23 release, she told Diane Sawyer on today’s “Good Morning America,” that it was “embarrassing” that she fell in love with someone, Chris Brown, who could be an abuser. And even worse, she went back to him after the Feb. 8 incident that left her battered and bruised.

“I even went back after he beat me, which was wrong," she told Sawyer.. "But again ... I'm a human being... It's completely normal to go back. You start lying to yourself. The minute the physical wounds go away you want this thing to go away. This is a memory you don't want to have ever again."

MTV has an interesting article that gives fan reaction to her “GMA” interview, which will air in its entirety on “20/20” on Friday night. While many applaud her courage to talk about her abuse, some fans question the timing of her decision to speak out now, just as she has a new CD to promote.