Rihanna Speaks Out

Rihanna made her first statement to the media on Friday, since she was allegedly physically injured by Chris Brown:

"At the request of the authorities, Rihanna is not commenting about the incident involving Chris Brown," read a statement released by Rubenstein Associates. "She wants to assure her fans that she remains strong, is doing well, and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support she has received during this difficult time."

The statement was released hours after the Web site TMZ released a photo that purportedly shows the battered face of the pop star, with bruises on her forehead, bloody lips and other marks on her face.

The Los Angeles Police Department announced it was investigating the leak shortly after the photos were posted Thursday evening. On Friday, Chief William Bratton said his department is conducting an internal investigation, but also a criminal conspiracy case that could result in up to three years in prison.

"It as an embarrassment to this department," Bratton said. He said the agency believes a department employee leaked the photo, and that the department is working to quickly complete separate investigations into Rihanna’s beating and the photo’s leak.

The picture above is the first of Rihanna since the alleged beating. Rihanna was spotted back in Los Angeles last night.