Rihanna calls returning to Chris Brown ‘a mistake’

Despite watching her career explode from its well-managed fallout, singer Rihanna now says she regrets reuniting with Chris Brown after their hi-profile conflict in L.A’s Hancock Park early this year.

“It’s completely normal to go back. You start lying to yourself,” the 21-year-old told “Good Morning America,” in the first of numerous interviews booked to promote her new album. “I’d say that to any girl who is facing domestic violence – Don’t react out of love.’”

The Barbados native also agreed that returning to Chris after the incident may have sent the wrong message to legions of young women for whom she has now appointed herself a role model, “I didn’t realize how much impact I had on girls’ lives until it happened,” she claimed. “When I realized this could mean some young girl getting killed, I could not be easy with that.” she said.

Despite repeated apologies to Rihanna, and to his fans, Chris Brown’s career has almost imploded since the assault; Some major sponsors have dropped him and several radio stations still won’t play his songs.

Rihanna’s interview just happens to coincide with the release of a new single, taken from her next album. For those who want to hear more, ABC will air clips on Friday’s “GMA,” with the long version due to air in the magazine show, “20/20.” Chris, meanwhile, will tell his side of the case in an MTV interview due to air the same day.

But puzzle me this — If she’s so gravely concerned about women’s safety, why wasn’t she doing this six months ago — when there wasn’t a new disk to promote?…