Rihanna Heads to Leno, Brown to Hard Labor

Jay-Z, JT, Kanye among those who want to record

(NEWSER) - Rihanna’s planned duet with ex Chris Brown ended on a flat note when he allegedly assaulted her—but lucky for her, she has five back-ups good to go. Jay-Z, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, and Soulja Boy are all ready to record with her, the Mirror reports. “Rihanna has been working with the biggest names in the business,” says a source. “She is going to blow everyone away.” More»

Singer talks Chris Brown assault, says she didn't call 911

(NEWSER) - In the wake of her assault at the hands of ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, Rihanna has a new, edgier sound and look—just check out the cover—and she talks about both with GQ . Eight months later, finally talking about the assault is “very liberating,” she says, recalling that, in the wake of her drama, “nobody” helped her get through it—it was recording her new album that helped her to heal. More»

Speaking out for first time since attacking Rihanna, singer says he's still shocked

(NEWSER) - Chris Brown spoke out for the first time since his assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna, but “spoke” is a relative term. “Wow” was the word he used most often to describe to CNN's Larry King the shock he still feels about the incident. “No, I don't” remember doing it, he says. “It's like, it's crazy to me. I'm like, wow. I just look at it like, wow, I'm in shock.” More»

Joyce Hawkins says assault is a lesson from God

(NEWSER) - Chris Brown’s mother is speaking out for the first time since her son's assault on Rihanna, thanking fans for supporting him, E! reports. “I can now say this has been the most painful moment in my entire life,” Joyce Hawkins writes on his fan club website. “This whole thing isn't about Chris, it's about God. He wants to show all of you the goodness of him through Chris.” More»

Plus, director dishes on 'handsome' JFK, and more

(NEWSER) - Rihanna doesn’t want any protection from Chris Brown—the pair think the court’s no-contact clause is “unnecessary and ridiculous,” a source tells the New York Daily News, adding that even though “they aren't looking to hook back up,” they’re “solid” now as friends. Elsewhere:

• Director Nora Ephron was once a White House intern, reports the New York Post. Her one regret from that stint? “I totally regret not having had an affair with” then-President Kennedy, she tells More magazine.