There has been a lot of controversy surrounding pop icons Rihanna and abusive ex-beau Chris Brown following their recent musical collaborations. Rihanna, however, never thought this reunion would spark such concern.

The whole thing caught me a little off-guard, to be honest, she said to the British edition of Esquire magazine. Especially the amount of negative attention. Because it never occurred to me how this was going to be a problem, you know. It really didn't.

In February, the Barbados-born singer appeared on two tracks with her former boyfriend, including a remix of her single Birthday Cake and a new version of recent single Turn Up The Music, according to Rolling Stone. These tracks were released simultaneously, inciting rumor and speculation that the two stars had reunited.

I thought people were gonna be surprised that we finally did a record together, but I didn't see how people could think it was a bad thing, you know? she told Esquire. In my mind, it was just music.

The 24-year-old R&B pop artist was taken aback by news that some fans thought she was sending the wrong message with the collaboration. Brown served time for physically assaulting Rihanna in 2009 just before the Grammy Awards ceremony, but Rihanna emphasized that the two have been working in a completely professional environment since then.

I mean, if I went back to him [as a girlfriend], then that's a whole different discussion, she said. And if I ever do, then that's something that y'all have to talk to me about when-if-that ever happens. Until then, look at it for what it is. I think a lot of people jumped to an assumption that was incorrect and they ended up looking stupid.

Judging by Rihanna's behavior as of late, it does not seem as if the R&B songstress plans to reunite with Brown anytime soon. Recent rumors suggest that the We Found Love singer could be dating New York Knicks team member J.R. Smith. Rihanna was seen partying with the NBA star over Memorial Day weekend, according to the Daily Telegraph, and was spotted sitting on his lap at the West Village's Veranda Nightclub earlier in May. However, those close to the singer seem to think otherwise.

I still think she has a thing for Chris in a big way, a source close to the singer told the Chicago Sun Times. It's weird, but I believe she may be dating J.R. to make Chris jealous in some kind of twisted way.

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