Emmy Rossum Admires Rihanna's Bravery

Actress EMMY ROSSUM has heaped praise on RIHANNA for bravely speaking out about her brutal beating at the hands of CHRIS BROWN on U.S. TV.

The Bajan beauty broke her silence about the February (09) attack, when she was beaten black and blue by her then-boyfriend, in an interview with Good Morning America this week.

In the pre-recorded chat, which first aired on Thursday (05Nov09), Rihanna admitted she was "embarrassed" about her romance with Brown, hinting she reconciled with him "eight or nine times" after the headline-grabbing incident.

She said, "That's embarrassing that that's the type of person that I fell in love with. So far in love. So unconditional that I went back. It's humiliating to say this happened. To accept that? It's a traumatising experience. I stayed. I even went back after he beat me, which was wrong."

And her candid comments have won her a fan in Rossum, who feels sure Rihanna's story will help other young abused women.

In a post on her Twitter.com page, she writes, "Just saw the first half of the interview of Diane Sawyer speaking to Rihanna about domestic violence. She speaks honestly, bravely. So many of my friends have experienced this, it's very close to my heart. I urge young women - and really women of any age - to watch it."

And the Poseidon star is encouraging domestic abuse victims not to suffer in silence and reach out for help, even providing the number for a support service.

She adds, "If someone is hurting you, or has hurt you, I urge you to tell someone. Do not be afraid to come forward, tell your friends, tell your family. It may be very frightening to speak up and say aloud what has happened... but do not be ashamed of what someone else has done to you.

"If you or someone you know is frightened about a relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline."

--IANS-WENN