Rihanna rode a tremendous wave of success following the release of her 2007 album, Good Girl Gone Bad. The lead video, "Umbrella," featuring Jay-Z, showcased the Barbadian beauty's new look: a fashionable bob and edgier, sexy attire.

Sunday's Grammy Awards should have seen the singer in all her splendor, as she was not only set to perform, but her boyfriend Chris Brown was also scheduled to take to the stage.

But in the hours leading up to the telecast, she and Brown shocked everyone by reportedly engaging in an argument that turned into a [article id="1604569"]physical altercation[/article].

Neither party has commented since Brown turned himself in to police and was charged with making criminal threats. Rihanna has remained withdrawn from the public eye. Rumors have been swirling regarding the extent of her injuries, but only Rihanna's publicist and her grandmother have spoken publicly; her grandmother told a Barbados newspaper that [article id="1604755"]the singer is "fine."[/article]

While Brown has had endorsement deals suspended and his [article id="1604786"]songs pulled from some radio stations[/article], many wonder what Rihanna's next move will be in the wake of this surprising turn of events.

"I think it must be incredibly humiliating, that kind of experience," Julianne Shepherd of music and culture magazine the Fader told MTV News this week. "So it might take her a while to get back in the public eye. Especially to have your domestic problems out there on this level -- everyone in the world knows them, is following every detail. It's going to be be really hard for her."

According to several reports, [article id="1604672"]Rihanna has been cooperating with police[/article] in the investigation against Brown. As of press time, the status of their relationship is uncertain. Certainly, Rihanna has gained a tremendous amount of sympathy as a result of allegedly being the victim of a domestic attack. ([article id="1605023"]She has also garnered a surprising amount of comments blaming her for the alleged incident[/article].)

But Laura Checkoway, a freelance writer who has written about Brown extensively, said Rihanna has struck a chord with many women by choosing to take control of her situation.

"In my experience the woman is sort of taking a stand and pressing charges, that's a big statement and a strong statement. And choosing not to do that also speaks volumes," Checkoway explained. "So it'll be interesting to see what she wants to do."

When MTV News spoke to a number of fans in New York, their [article id="1604743"]reactions to the altercation varied[/article]. A number of both men and women, however, suggested that the empathy people have for Rihanna would be lost if she decides to reunite with Brown. Sources told MTV News that their [article id="1604662"]relationship had become rocky in recent weeks[/article].

Public-relations expert Howard Bragman, who authored the book "Where's My Fifteen Minutes?" said what happens next for both young stars will be extremely difficult. Bragman noted that in addition to the legal ramifications, Brown and Rihanna will also have to endure criticism from their fans over their actions.

"It's ridiculously hard to deal with this in the public eye, because people have to deal with it in the court of law -- Rihanna and Chris have to deal with it in the court of law -- and they have to deal with the court of public opinion," he said.

Shepherd and Checkoway both agreed.

"I think that it's a sad story and I think that it spirals into some whole other beast," Checkoway said. "Both of them are probably going through it right now."

On the other hand, Shepherd added that Rihanna has proven to be at the helm of her image. She thinks the singer has made positive choices so far in her career and ultimately her track record will define her. Shepherd said this event, regardless of the harm, hopefully won't have a lasting effect on Rihanna.

"I think Rihanna is big enough that this will not cloud her career, it will not overpower her career," Shepherd insisted. "She has enough hits, she's famous enough, enough people love her. She's a global star."

Get resources and information about [article id="1604622"]domestic violence[/article], or check out [url id="http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF0098989A00170098A1E8/"]Think MTV[/url] for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse.