Chris Brown Responds to Rihanna 20/20 Interview

After the past couple weeks that have included back-and-forth appearances in the press--sometimes music, sometimes personal--Chris Brown has made the first direct address to Rihanna's statements.

Chris has released a statement to MTV News responding to Rihanna's comments about their infamous dispute in her interview with Diane Sawyer for 20/20, previewed on Good Morning America.

"While I respect Rihanna's right to discuss the specific events of Feb. 8th I maintain my position that all of the details should remain a private matter between us. I do appreciate her support and wish her the best. I am extremely sorry for what I did and I accept accountability for my actions. At this point I am taking the proper steps to learn about me and grow from my mistakes. I only hope that others in similar situations can learn from our experience as well. Abuse of any kind is always wrong. The rest I leave it to God."

Rihanna went into vivid detail about the fight that resulted in community service, five years of probation and mandatory domestic abuse counseling.

"I was battered. I was bleeding. I was swollen in my face," she said. "There was no way of me getting home. My next option was to get out of the car and start walking in a gown and a bloody face, so I really don't know what was my plan. I didn't have a plan; that whole night was not part of my plan."

Rihanna's full 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer airs tonight at 10 pm EST. --John Kennedy