Rihunited Rihanna and Chris Brown's holiday in Barbados

Not turning her back on him ... RiRi seen in the latest US GQ RIHANNA is taking Chris 

Brown back to her native Barbados over New Year in a bid to win over her friends and 

family.

The 24-year-old singer has booked a plush five-star villa on the exclusive Gold Coast area of 

the tropical island for a “bonding holiday”.

She hopes Brown — who left her battered and bruised in a vicious assault in 2009 — will be 

able to convince her close circle that he’s a changed man.

Battered and bruised ... pic of Rihanna showing her after being attacked by Chris Brown

And Rihanna wants to persuade them that — despite fierce criticism — she was right to take 

him back.

The star has also planned for Brown’s mother to fly out so the two sets of families can spend 

time together.

A source said: “The more the public criticise Rihanna for getting back with Chris, the more 

determined she is to do whatever she wants.

“While no one else can understand it, she’s convinced that Chris is the love of her life and her 

soulmate and that they’re simply meant to be together.

“She’s booked him and his mum into a five-star villa in Barbados over New Year so they can all 

get some downtime with her family.

Smiling ... couple hours before Chris Brown's attack on Rihanna in 2009

“But they’re unrepentant and they want to show the whole world that they’ve moved on from what 

happened in 2009.”

Rihanna — whose album Unapologetic went straight in at No 1 on Sunday — was pictured 

attending the after-party for Brown’s gig in Berlin this week.

Her family and friends may slowly come round to 

the idea of accepting Brown back into the fold — 

but many of Rihanna’s fans remain far from 

convinced.

R&B star Brown, 23, was forced to close his 

Twitter account on Monday following a bitter 

online spat with US comic Jenny Johnson. 

She had previously criticised him for his treatment 

of RiRi.

Brown has already been forced to cancel a gig 

in Guyana on Boxing Day after protests from 

women’s rights groups.

Rihanna’s followers may also be unimpressed 

about the couple’s plan to duet at next February’s 

Grammy Awards. Brown’s attack happened the 

night before the 2009 ceremony.

Virginian-born Brown was found guilty of assault 

and ordered to do 1,400 hours of community 

service and complete a domestic violence 

programme.

He later released a video apologising to Rihanna.