Late yesterday evening, TMZ released a fairly graphic of Rihanna that shows the injuries she sustained in the alleged assault on her person by her boyfriend Chris Brown in the early morning hours of Sunday February 8. As soon as I saw the photo for myself, I was horrified by the injuries that are very evident in the photo … and immediately decided that I did not want to post the photo on my site. It turns out that the photo was released WITHOUT the consent of the LAPD, who has launched an official investigation to find out who leaked the photo to TMZ. Here is the official statement on the unauthorized release of this horrific phot and and the info that TMZ provided with the release of the photo:
TMZ has obtained a photo of Rihanna taken after Chris Brown allegedly beat her.
I am pretty disgusted that someone inside the LAPD apparently leaked this photo to TMZ … I cannot really see the merit to republish the photo on my site when it is already readily available elsewhere. I absolutely understand that this news is of interest to many people and I also understand that the release of a photo like this might speak to the many women out there who may suffer from domestic abuse and may prove a wake up call that they are not alone. I just cannot bring myself to feature the photo on my site. Interested people can head over to TMZ to see the photo if they so desire. I, personally, was so disturbed from seeing the photo that I just cannot republish the photo here. Rihanna‘s injuries look serious, I just hope that if any crimes are proved from this case that due justice is duly served.
[Source]
I saw the Photo late last night on a different site, and quickly came here to see if you had seen it yet or were going to post it. I then realized you probably wouldn’t. I was so releaved this morning when I check to see that you knew about the photo but decided against it. THIS is why you’re my favorite and why I will continue to come back here. I can read about theses celebrities, have a few laughs and not feel like i’m doing anything wrong by getting TOO deep into these people’s privacy. Keep up the good work Trent. :)
i agree with erica – come down off your high horse – classy my ass
@Erica — great idea to offer grades. You totally deserve an A … for A$$Hat!
Thank you for not posting the picture. I wish that Rihanna had the choice whether or not it was released. I think you did the perfect thing. While Rihanna deserves her privacy, a lot of people need to see the dark results of an abusive relationship. And to those blaming RiRi, yes she could have left, and she could have instigated it, but he could have killed her.
He deserves everything coming to him. Happy birthday Ri!So many people will find hope in her story now. I learned from my aunt and got out before it was too late, and if even one persons life is saved due to this leak, then unfortunatly its worth it. But then again, she has to pay once again…
While the thought is there in not posting the image, the link does kind of defeat the purpose; this is the first site I’ve come to and it was that easy to see it. At least make someone google it if they want to see it that badly.
I do think an interesting point is raised – if Britney’s actions in the past are due to a mental illness, then why should she not be treated with the same respect? She’s made some pretty bad choices in the past, but it got to a point where it was obvious she wasn’t that well.
Trent, I’m going to add to the chorus. Yours is the only gossip blog I read anymore and this is exactly why.
its soooo good that you did not post the photo
i admire that
and it shows respect!
good job
posting a link the picture isnt that much better than just putting it up
sure, you dont directly see it but you still give a way to get to it…anyways
that is soooo sad she looks bad =[
I saw the picture on the news last night when I wasn’t expecting to see it. It made me cry. Thanks Trent for giving me the choice to view it instead of posting on the front page or after the jump. Posting the link give me the choice to view and I choose not to.
people are always going to be curious and want to see something that has been featured in the news as trent has already clarified this in an earlier reply. @beeba saying posting a link isn’t that much better- you don’t have to click on the link, it’s not hard to refrain oneself from clicking on a link to view something but trent gave us a choice of whether we wish to do so unlike other websites and for him doing so along with other things he posts, i continue to only read pink.
I completely respect your decision not to publish those photos and think you are just really awesome and classy for not doing so. I think it shows you really aren’t observing this as if it were a show and I really think you’re a sweetheart for respecting Rihanna like this
I knew you wouldn’t post the photo, and I’m glad. Thank you.
Dahlia, sometimes you CAN’T leave, when someone is assaulting you……. I wish she could’ve beat that dude’s ass!!!
PixieBassline – Maybe Chris will Start seeing older women and even older women.
If he tried that shizz with Naomi Campbell or Grace Jones, he’d be mumbling his apology from a hospital bed…..if he lived.
Oh, you can add Foxy Inga Marchand Brown to the list. Don’ t Eff with women who’ve done time, either.
Thanks for not posting it. I thought that that was very classy of you. Love ya!
Thank you Trent for having the decency to protect Rihanna’s privacy and safety. Survivors of domestic assault are supposed to be protected. The blatant disregard of TMZ and other media outlets that chose to show her picture, only revictimizes Rihanna and all women who have survived domestic violence. She can be a role model and stand up against DV without her privacy being violated. It would have been one thing if she chose to release the photo, but otherwise it is completely wrong. Rihanna needs to get back her control which was stripped from her and this photo release takes her control away again. Disgusting!
I’m glad you didn’t post the picture (truth is, it’s everywhere at this point), but i am glad the photo got released. the negativity coming from people (rihanna gave him herpes, rihanna is a diva and “deserved it”, etc) was disgusting and people needed to see that domestic violence is an ugly, evil, spiteful thing. when people see the effects of abuse like this, they can finally see the outrage. even though chris brown won’t get the beatdown he deserves, i hope the law punishes him to the fullest extent they can.
Fuck all those people who are calling you un-classy for posting the link. This is what you do, you’re a quasi-journalist…I think by leaving it up to the reader’s to view the link as they choose was a respectful move. Nobody should thrust photos like that onto the public. Thank you for not doing so. I’m so shocked at the severity of the abuse. I can’t believe those photo’s were leaked…its clear the anguish she felt in her face…taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability is beyond revolting