LONDON: Singer Rihanna, who endured a turbulent year after being assaulted by her now ex-boyfriend Chris Brown in February, is impressed by Lady Gaga’s bold image

and success.

“Lady Gaga has a very bold, fearless image and I have

so much respect for original artistes who aren’t afraid to

do what they do. That is what I respect the most. She is awesome,” femalefirst.co.uk quoted Rihanna as saying.

The 21-year-old singer recently admitted that 2009 had been the toughest year of her life because of the attack that left her with cuts and bruises and traumatised her emotionally as well.

“Before this, every young

girl thought my life was perfect. Now they realise it’s not. Nobody’s perfect. I am living the same human life that they are, just with a more public career,” said Rihanna.

“Looking back at this incident, I feel as if it was the beginning

of a new era almost like a wake-up call for me. It was a massive turning point for me in my life,” she added. — Agencies