Rihanna Releases Statement: Thanks Her Fans, But Won’t Comment On Chris Brown

Rihanna, who turned 21 on today (Feb. 20) has released a statement not long after news broke of Rihanna’s father speaking to media expressing his anger over the leaked photo of a bruised woman believed to be a police photo of Rihanna taken after the alleged Chris Brown assault. The pop star singer thanked her fans but would not comment on the alleged assault by her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

“At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown,” read the statement released by Rihanna’s public relations representatives, Rubenstein PR. “She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time.”

Though the statement was reportedly released hours after the Web site TMZ released the photo of an apparent battered face of Rihanna, the statement has only now began to circulate in the news.

Earlier today, as previous mentioned, Rihanna’s father stated, “Sloppy work on their part,” to PEOPLE regarding the supposed leaked photo of his daughter.

Fenty however also stated it was partially good also that the photo was leaked stating, “It’s good and it’s bad to see the picture because there’s other people who were thinking differently..,” Fenty added.

LAPD has since launched an investigation into the leaked photo.

“The unauthorized release of a domestic-violence photograph immediately generated an internal investigation,” an LAPD spokesman said in a statement.

“The Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about the release of a photograph associated with a domestic violence incident that occurred on February 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris Brown.”