Rihanna feels her abuse at the hands of Chris Brown was a sign from God.

The 'Russian Roulette' hitmaker - who was assaulted by her then-boyfriend in February 2009 - says she needed a "wake-up call" to make her realize their three-year relationship was not working out.

She said: "God has a crazy way of working, and sometimes when stuff happens you feel like, 'What did I do to deserve this?' Why was it backfiring on me?'

"But I needed that wake-up call in my life. I needed a turning point, and that's what God was giving to me."

Rihanna - who is now dating baseball star Matt Kemp - admits it wasn't easy to end her relationship with the 'Run It' singer, but is happier than ever now he is no longer in her life.

She told Britain's Marie Claire magazine: "I remember I was in New York at the Trump Hotel and I woke up and I just knew I was over it. It was a different day. I felt different. I didn't feel lonely. I felt like I wanted to get up and be in the world. That was a great, great feeling.

"I feel like I smile for real this time. The smiles come from inside, and it exudes in everything I do. People feel my energy is different. When I smile they can tell that it's pure bliss and not just a cover up."