Rihanna has spoken publicly for the first time about being attacked by her ex-Boyfriend Chris Brown.

The singer was left with facial injuries after Brown assaulted her during an altercation in Los Angeles in February.

In a US TV interview, which will air on Thursday, Rihanna says: "This happened to me... It can happen to anyone.”

The 21-year-old singer also tells journalist Diane Sawyer that Brown was “definitely my first big love”.

Brown, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna, was sentenced in August to five years' probation and ordered to do community labour.

The singer said recently that he spent “every second” regretting his attack against his former girlfriend.

Rihanna is currently preparing to release her new album 'Rated R', which is due out on November 23.

Her interview with Sawyer will air on Good Morning America on Thursday and during 20/20 on Friday, People magazine reports.

(by Jason Gregory)