"America's Next Top Model" Winner Jaslene Gonzalez Talks About Her Abusive Relationship, Offers Rihanna Advice

"America's Next Top Model" winner Jaslene Gonzalez has teamed up with Liz Claiborne's "Love Is Not Abuse" foundation as their new spokeswoman. And, at a time when domestic abuse is a hot topic thanks to Rihanna, she's coming forward with stories of her own abusive relationship. Jaslene, now 22, says that, as a teenager, she dated a guy who was insanely jealous and increasingly violent. Recalls Jaslene:

He was my first love - he was 19, and I was 17. The first year was like a honeymoon. It was, like, the best thing ever. But in the second year of our relationship - we were together for four years - there was a lot of name-calling and picking away at my self-esteem. It escalated from there. Like, trying to hit me and pulling my hair.

Their first physical fight, says Jaslene, happened after she sitting in a male friend's car. Her boyfriend tried to break the door in and eventually dragged her out onto the sidewalk. Nonetheless, he would cry and apologize, and Jaslene kept taking him back. She explains her thought process:

He'd get on his knees, apologize and cry, and that's what would get me. He even considered going to therapy with me, through he never did it.  But I felt I could help him. I could show him I still loved him and he'd change. In reality, it was hard for him to change. It was a vicious cycle, and the abuse escalated every time.

Jaslene credits her "Top Model" win with giving her the self-esteem and confidence to finally break out of the relationship. As for what she would say to Rihanna, Jaslene advises the singer to "take a step back" and begin taking steps to leave the relationship. She warns: "And even if he says he loves you, he doesn't, because love shouldn't cause physical pain." We really can't express how happy we are that Jaslene is speaking out about this and offering advice, not criticism, to Rihanna and women who look up to her. You win, Jas. Here's a free pass to wear whatever fool-ass outfit you please, and we'll turn the other way. We're especially glad that a Latina is coming out and talking openly about this in order to give a face and a voice to women in a similar situation. If you would like more information about domestic abuse among Latinos, or resources to help you or a loved one get out of a violent relationship, check out the National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence. 

"I Thought I Was Going To Die" [Us Weekly, print]