Mary J. Blige has spoken out in support of pop princess, Rihanna.

Speaking to Vibe Magazine, Blige expressed her sympathy for RiRi, acknowledging that the star is simply living her life in front of the world.

Rihanna has taken a good deal of criticism for getting back into a relationship with Chris Brown recently, following an incident in which he violently assaulted her in 2009.

Blige said that, not only is she proud of the material Rihanna is putting out, she is also sympathetic to the difficult public position Rihanna is in.

"Maybe in 2012, in the middle, I was like, 'What is going on? What is this?' Things got worse before they got better. I think things are going in the right direction. I am so proud of what Rihanna is doing. ... Yes. She is speaking to her generation, and she's living her life in front of them. I don't even think she's purposely doing it. She's such a beautiful girl, and I don't think she knows she's that beautiful. She's just living her life, and leading her generation, and she has great, great songs. Her career is amazing; and her team, obviously, is amazing."

- By Fiona Guest

Mary J. Blige has spoken out in support of pop princess, Rihanna.

Speaking to Vibe Magazine, Blige expressed her sympathy for RiRi, acknowledging that the star is simply living her life in front of the world.

Rihanna has taken a good deal of criticism for getting back into a relationship with Chris Brown recently, following an incident in which he violently assaulted her in 2009.

Blige said that, not only is she proud of the material Rihanna is putting out, she is also sympathetic to the difficult public position Rihanna is in.

"Maybe in 2012, in the middle, I was like, 'What is going on? What is this?' Things got worse before they got better. I think things are going in the right direction. I am so proud of what Rihanna is doing. ... Yes. She is speaking to her generation, and she's living her life in front of them. I don't even think she's purposely doing it. She's such a beautiful girl, and I don't think she knows she's that beautiful. She's just living her life, and leading her generation, and she has great, great songs. Her career is amazing; and her team, obviously, is amazing."

- By Fiona Guest