Contrary to Reports, Matt Kemp is not Chris Brown

by Spencer Loomis

The whirlwind relationship between pop star Rihanna and Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Matt Kemp  burst into the public eye during their highly publicized romantic getaway to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in the first days of 2010. Since then the media have followed the pair like bees to honey. Rihanna has downplayed the relationship, claiming she is single and won’t be bringing a date to this year’s Grammy’s. The photo evidence of the two would suggest otherwise. As a result, Kemp has achieved a level of celebrity he has never experienced before. Playing centerfield in any city would make Kemp a high profile individual, but being LA’s centerfielder dating a pop sensation might as well make him a rock star.

Matt Kemp and Rihanna on a boat in Cabo

As would be expected from any relationship involving Rihanna, comparisons between Kemp and Rihanna’s notorious former hubby, Chris Brown, began to swirl. Rihanna and Brown’s  infamous relationship ended in domestic violence while driving home from a 2009 pre-Grammy party sparked by a text from another woman to Brown. Therefore, Kemp entered the relationship as an immediate improvement in the public eye compared to the abusive Brown.

However, reports have since surfaced that Kemp may have his own abusive past. Kemp’s former girlfriend of two years, Felisha Terrell, filed a restraining order following the end of their relationship which was reported by Star to have stemmed from domestic violence.

Dave Stewart, Kemp’s agent who earlier this month negotiated Kemp’s two year $11 million contract, reported to E! News that this report was false and that although Terrell did file a restraining order against Kemp, it had nothing to do with domestic violence. A rep for Terrell has since confirmed that Kemp was never physically abusive. While Rihanna continues to downplay the relationship, the swarm of media that surrounds her and Kemp is only growing and questions will only continue to arise.