While the mother of Jasmina Anema wonders why she hasn’t heard from Rihanna, and the Bajan beauty’s trainer filed suit against her for unpaid wages, the singer has been in another world altogether—at least that’s the impression her outfit gives off. This week, Rihanna has been in Berlin and last night she attended the Echo Awards in this “Star Trek” inspired jumpsuit with some serious shoulder pads and sleeves that could double as wings. It’s obvious that subtle was not part of yesterday’s vocabulary.

We may have only seen Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna and Roberta Flack on stage but there were plenty of sisters in attendance at the Grammy Awards last night.

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We’re in week two of our countdown of stories that shaped the images of black women in popular culture. We’ve chosen a dozen stories (the good, the bad and the ridiculous) that captured our attention in 2009. Here’s the story that made our hot list today:

#2: The Night That Changed Rihanna’s Life (aka “Why It’s Important to Hear Rihanna’s Story”, originally published November 3, 2009) Read the full story

Seems like an artist can’t just come out with a new album, they have to have synergy (also known as a hook that will get them more exposure and ultimately sell more music). We already know that Rihanna timed her Diane Sawyer interview to coincide with her new album, “Rated R”. And Janet Jackson will break her silence about her brother Michael’s death and do a sit-down with Robin Roberts next week— to coincide with the release of her “Number Ones” CD. But synergy is not limited to a tell-all interview. Just ask Beyoncé who’s getting a special on one of the biggest days of the year, Thanksgiving (when there’s nothing else on television but repeats and football). She joins the likes of Madonna, Harry Connnick Jr. and Sir Paul McCartney (who’s special will follow Bey’s that same night). Bey and The Beatle will also on ABC, the network that snagged the aforementioned interviews and will air Jennifer Hudson’s “Home for the Holidays” special next month. Read the full story

We already know that Halle Berry is one sister who can not only command a decent salary but can have her pick of roles in Hollywood. So it’s no surprise that she might be included in The Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100:Women in Entertainment List that’s due out next month. But the bible of the entertainment industry has singled out our girl Halle for an even more prestigious honor, she will receive the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporters 18th Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast on December 4th. She joins a list of heavyweights who’ve received the award including Meryl Streep, Jodie Foster and Glenn Close. (In other words, Hollywood royalty). Makes me want to say ‘Go Natalie’ umm I mean Halle (you “Strictly Business” fans know what I mean.) Read the full story

Think you have nothing in common with Rihanna? Think again. Today, in her first public interview since the altercation with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, Rihanna talks about her relationship with him and her perspective now. Correcting Dianne Sawyer she said, “it’s actually eight or nine times” women go back to the man after they’ve been physically abused. She also talked about how difficult and “embarrassing” it was to be in the situation amidst the public scrutiny. Read the full story

It might be a strange coincidence but Chris Brown and Rihanna have decided to tell their stories around the same time. Chris went first with Larry King, Angie Martinez and of course a string of upcoming concerts. RiRi on the other hand has played it pretty close to the vest. We’ve seen lots of her (looking quite fabulous every time), we’ve heard her sing with Jay-Z and Kanye on “Run This Town” but in-depth interviews have been scarce until now. Timed closely with the release of her new album, “Rated R” which comes out November 23rd, the Bajan songstress did a sit-down with 20/20 and Good Morning America —which airs Thursday and Friday—as well as with women’s glossy Glamour, which hits stands November 10th. The magazine named her one of their Women of the Year (along with the FLOTUS). Read the full story

Does Mya have the makings of a comeback kid? The R&B singer whose fame seemed to have peaked in the late ‘90s joins the latest cast of “Dancing With The Stars”. This season is a hodgepodge ensemble that should be nothing but entertaining. When I think of ballroom, Tom Delay in sequins and Macy Gray fox trotting across the stage don’t immediately come to mind. With her experience with choreography and her role in “Chicago”, it seems that Mya will naturally rise to the top of the leader board. Read the full story

Perhaps the Chris Brown/Rihanna saga is going to some conclusion. The young crooner finally looked like he was taking things seriously in court and has received a sentence comparable to other first offenders (so they say). But will these two really stay away from each other? Rihanna made me wonder when she didn’t want that order of protection.

Looks like Rihanna is doing as much as possibly can to put that alleged incident with Chris Brown behind her. She showed up at Carol’s Daughter Hand & Foot Spa yesterday. Makes us all feel better that RiRi is being good to herself.