Rihanna covers the June issue of Elle magazine, in which she shares her weariness over her rumored affair with mentor Jay-Z.

“People know that it’s not true,” she says. “I think it’s kinda a cliche question, and people know it’s not true, so I don’t even know why it’s still addressed to this day. I get asked about it all the time and I’m like, You’re asking, but you know the answer. I don’t even like to address it anymore.”

Ri-Ri’s right. That conversation is soooo yesterday.

“Lovebirds” Rihanna, 20, and Chris Brown, 18, are still trying to convince folks their just buddies.

From People: Speaking to MTV News at Saturday’s Kids’ Choice Awards, the Girls Gone Bad singer and philanthropist, 20, said, “I won’t say that we’re just friends – me and Chris are really best, best friends…We both started our careers around the same time. He is one of the only people in the industry … I trust and hang out with all the time…If he was a boyfriend, I would say that.”

Brown joined in, too, saying: “They keep asking me, ‘What’s the deal?’ I’m like, ‘There’s no deal. No deal.’ We’re just friends.”

Yep, cuddling up with your friends like these two is completely normal.

She doesn’t show it off very much, like some people we know — Kim Kardashian! — but Rihanna says she digs her booty the most.

“I keep working at it as I want it to be perfect,” she told the press recently. “It makes my clothes look good – and guys like it!”

We can kinda see its cuteness in this older photo. But we might have to take her word for it.

Rihanna’s hometown of Barbados bestowed her with an honorary cultural ambassador title recently. The pop princess, who also made news for helping a leukemia-stricken mom in need of a marrow transplant, received a prime piece of real estate on the island as part of her honor.

You’d think folks in Barbados would still be proud of their native girl, Rihanna. But not everyone on the island is cheering her on. Consider this from the editorial section of Barbados’ NationNews.com:

“I AM TIRED of opening my newspaper to find Rihanna headlines; Rihanna this and Rihanna that. Give it a rest! People talking about her putting Barbados on the map is nonsense. Barbados was well on the map before she came along; and will be when she is gone.

I read a comment written in the DAILY NATION, November 20, about giving her a big welcome each time she comes home. I do not believe she gives her schedules to anyone here, anyway. She comes and goes when she pleases. All her achievements are hers and I have not seen her do anything spectacular. Where was her donation back in September for the Brittons Hill tragedy? I have nothing against the young woman. More power to her. But when sensible Barbadians write what to my mind is rubbish in the paper, I feel the need to comment.”  — Sonia Armstrong 

Somebody needs to cut back on the Haterade.

Far be it from me to say who should be dating who, especially in the zany world of entertainment. But some couples, at first glance, just don’t make sense, like Vivica Fox and 50 Cent. Like Bobby and Whitney (before we saw her ghetto side). Like Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley. Like Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupree (who have grown on us by now). Like Beyonce and Ja…anywho, it’s my job to comment, so here I go.

Rihanna and actor Shia LeBeouf: If they are in fact dating, um, why? The Umbrella-ella-ella girl reportedly said she dug white guys, which, you know, is her thing. But this white guy?  Mismatch.

Djimon Hounsou and Kimora Lee Simmons: Beyond modeling, don’t you wonder what these two have in common? Kimora’s all Ms. Fabulous CEO Diva, high on her glamorous life, and Djimon’s all like the righteous African, down-to-earth brother who doesn’t appear to be interested in blingin’ a thing. Mismatch.

What other celebrity couples make you wonder, “How did that happen?”