Rihanna has spoken for the first time about the leak of naked photographs of her in May.

The pictures, which showed the singer in a number of provocative poses, emerged online just two months after she was assaulted by former boyfriend Chris Brown.

In an interview with US radio station Hot 97, Rihanna said the pictures had been leaked by an ex-boyfriend and that she felt “humiliated”.

"I just felt like my whole privacy was taken before that and then, when that came out, I thought, 'oh great, so now there's nothing they don't know about me and my private life'," she said.

"It was humiliating and it was embarrassing - especially my mum having to see that. It was two days before Mother's Day, so I was nervous.

"I sent her flowers first before I called and then she texted me - when the world is against me she's always there supporting."

Rihanna, who said he mother didn't criticise her for the photographs, also defended her right to take them.

"If you don't send your boyfriend naked pictures, then I feel bad for him,” she added.

The 22-year-old singer is currently promoting her new album, 'Rated R', which was released on Monday.

(by Jason Gregory)