Rihanna has defended her relationship Chris Brown, insisting her relationship with the rapper has changed.

The Talk That Talk singer has attracted controversy for rekindling her relationship with Brown after he assaulted her in 2009.

Now Rihanna, 25, has given a revealing interview to The Observer magazine defending Brown, 23.

She said: "It's different now. We don't have those types of arguments any more. We talk about [stuff]. We value each other."

Responding to the suggestion that Brown doesn't appear to have changed after losing his temper in public, Rihanna said: "I know it comes off like that, And it doesn't help. For a long time he was really angry... there's so many reasons why I ever reconsidered having him in my life.

"He's not the monster everyone thinks. He's a good person. He has a fantastic heart. He's giving and loving. And he's fun to be around. That's what I love about him - he always makes me laugh."

The couple - who rekindled their romance late last year - spent a romantic holiday together in Hawaii this week to celebrate Rihanna's 25th birthday.