Rihanna Finally Speaks

After TMZ.com this picture of Rihanna's badly bruised and swollen face on Thursday, her spokesperson released the following two-sentence statement on Friday, the singer's 21st birthday:

"At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown. 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."

The Umbrella singer's remarks came after her father, Ronald Fenty, ripped the Los Angeles Police Department for the release of the photo. While he called their work sloppy, he was glad that people were getting to see just how badly his daughter was hurt.

The LAPD said that releasing that picture of Rihanna's injuries was a serious violation that could lead to departmental firings. As for TMZ, the celebrity website wouldn't comment on a blog report that it had paid "a law enforcement insider" -- wink, wink -- over 62-thousand bucks for the photo.

Although Rihanna had originally gone home to be with her family in Barbados in the wake of the February 8th incident, she was spotted in LA on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, Chris Brown is currently free on 50-thousand dollars bail. While the 19-year-old hasn't been formally charged, he's due back in court on March 5th. Stay tuned as this drama unfolds...