Rihanna: I have a bad mouth

Rihanna has said rude things which have got her into trouble since she was "a little girl".

The pop star is known for being outspoken and for posting controversial pictures and thoughts on Twitter.

The Barbadian singer says people have always told her off for speaking her mind, declaring that her mouth has been her best weapon to defend herself in life.

"We don't start the trouble, but that's how we're defending ourselves - by saying some slick sh*t. That's how I've always been," Rihanna confessed to the latest edition of Complex magazine. "I was so rude when I was a little girl. I got my ass beat by my mother for that. Most of the time it was because of my mouth."

The workaholic star has had an impressive career in the music industry that includes racking up an impressive 12 number one singles in the US alone. Although she is regularly criticised for her shocking and sensational tweets, the 24-year-old will always defended her right to be herself.

"Bigger, [is my one-word mission statement]," Rihanna explained. "It's all about growth."

Last November, Rihanna reached another career milestone when Unapologetic became her first album to debut at the top of the US charts. Rihanna believes it was such a success because she has given up trying to please people, and is finally being honest about who she is.

"I held back before. I didn't show a lot of myself. I was very guarded," Rihanna explained. "I needed to be open and free and fearless. Basically say, 'F**k it.' What's the worst that can happen? They'll hate me? They've done that before."

Rihanna's favourite song on the album is Diamonds, which controversially features a heavily tattooed arm that bears a striking resemblance to that of her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown's in its promo. Rihanna and Chris are rumoured to have reconciled their turbulent relationship, following their split in 2009 after a domestic violence incident. The singer hinted that the reason she loves the track is that her feelings towards love and romance have softened over recent months.

"Diamonds, [is one of my favourite songs since Umbrella because of the way it makes me feel]. It was so inspiring and uplifting," Rihanna gushed. "It was giving me hope, that song. I was tired of angry love songs. Love doesn't always have to be about breakups, and 'We're never going to be together again.' It could be sweet. It could be, 'Hell yeah! We're diamonds!'"

The private star refused to discuss her alleged romance with Chris. Showing her defensive attitude once more, she finished by declaring no one knows the real her and probably never will.

"People take the little bit of information they're fed, and they draw a picture of who you are," Rihanna said. "Most of the time it's wrong."