ABC to air Rihanna’s first interviews on assault on ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘20/20′

ABC to air Rihanna interviews on assault

LOS ANGELES — The first interview with Rihanna about Chris Brown’s assault on her is airing this week on ABC.

The network says the pop star’s one-on-one with Diane Sawyer will air Thursday and Friday on “Good Morning America” and Friday evening on the news magazine “20/20.”

Brown’s attack on then-girlfriend Rihanna occurred in February. He was sentenced in August to five years’ probation, six months of community labor and a year of domestic violence counseling after he pleaded guilty to felony assault.

Rihanna’s ABC interview coincides with the debut of her new single, “Russian Roulette,” from her upcoming album, “Rated R.” It’s her first CD since 2007’s multiplatinum “Good Girl Gone Bad.”