Chris Brown apologizes, seeks counseling

Musicians Chris Brown and Rihanna perform during the Z100 Jingle Ball in New York, December 13, 2008.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - R&B star Chris Brown, who was arrested last weekend on suspicion of attacking a woman widely believed to be the pop star Rihanna, said on Sunday he was "sorry and saddened" about the incident, and was seeking counseling.

The 19-year-old performer of such U.S. chart-toppers as "Run It!" and "Forever" has been in hiding since the alleged fracas with his girlfriend in a rented Lamborghini.

He hired a public relations company that specializes in crisis management to issue a five-sentence statement in which he also said many media and blog reports have been wrong.

"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," he said. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."

He did not mention his father, who was quoted on Friday as telling People magazine that his son was "very remorseful."

Police and prosecutors have not officially disclosed that Rihanna was the victim of Brown's attack just after midnight on February 8. But unidentified police sources told the Los Angeles Times that Rihanna was the victim, and numerous media outlets have reported the same information.

Brown turned himself in to police, and he was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats against a woman. The Los Angeles Police Department is still investigating, and a spokeswoman for the L.A. District Attorney's Office said a decision has not yet been made on whether to file charges.

Celebrity websites and magazines have reported that the incident happened shortly after Brown left a Beverly Hills party with Rihanna as his passenger. The 20-year-old native of Barbados suffered bruises on her face and a split lip, according to several reports.

Brown added in his statement: "Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong. While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writings under my name are frauds."

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, many of Brown's showbiz comrades have defended him. Most recently, hip-hop star Kanye West said, "Can't we give Chris a break?" during a taping of VH1's "Storytellers" on Friday.

(Editing by Patricia Zengerle)