'It was probably the biggest wake-up call for me'
Speaking to a UK newspaper, the singer described the aftermath of his violent attack on his ex-girlfriend - which he refers to as ‘the incident with Rihanna’ – as ‘one of the most troubling times in [his life.]’
Explaining why, the now 24 year-old Chris said: ‘because I was 18 or 19, so being able to feel the hatred from more adult people, you don't understand it at the time, because you made a mistake.’
The ‘mistake’ was a ‘wake-up call’ for the singer, who was ordered with a restraining order, six months community service and a five-year probation.
‘It was probably the biggest wake-up call for me,’ he said, adding: I had to stop acting like a little teenager, a crazy, wild young guy.’
He added: ‘I learned from it, and it was almost like… I wouldn't say it happened for a reason, but it was something to trigger my mind to be more of a mature adult. To handle myself in situations, don't throw tantrums, don't be a baby about it.’
'I wouldn't say it happened for a reason, but it was something to trigger my mind to be more of a mature adult'
Speaking about the 52-week anger management programme he was ordered to undertake, he said: ‘It was beneficial because it made me cater more to a woman's thoughts and a woman's needs, and how to handle situations.’
‘But the class itself only tells you you're wrong, you're wrong, you're wrong,’ he added.
When asked about the controversy surrounding the tattoo he got on his neck which has been likened to the infamous police photographs of Rihanna's bruised and battered face – a resemblance he has always disputed – he said: ‘I really don't care. A tattoo's a tattoo; it's my body, my skin.’
‘This is not Rihanna's face,’ he added. ‘I just got a tat. Like I say, a tat is on my body, so it's personal. I liked how it looked, so I thought I'd get it done. It's all good.’