Talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey has blamed low self-esteem for Rihanna's decision to reconcile with boyfriend Chris Brown.
Brown is facing felony charges of assault and making criminal threats following an altercation with the “Umbrella” hitmaker last month.
Rihanna reportedly split with the “Kiss Kiss” singer following the incident, but then revived their romance after spending time together at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' home in Miami.
Winfrey, who urged Rihanna not to reunite with Brown, has slammed the reconciliation as a mistake and puts the singer's decision down to feelings of inadequacy.
She says, "Let me tell you why she (Rihanna) got back with him (Brown). If you go back with a man who hits you, it is because you don't feel worthy of being with a man who doesn't hit you.
"If you think you are a wonderful person, somebody hitting you is really offensive to you."
Winfrey recently teamed up with fellow talk-show host Tyra Banks to make a show dealing exclusively with the issue of domestic violence, dedicating the program to "all the Rihannas of the world."
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