In her first interview of the year, Rihanna opens up to the upcoming issue of Glamour magazine about the past year, how it inspired her new album and her message to girls.

For her courageous comeback and philanthropy, the magazine will honor Rihanna as a Glamour Woman of the Year at its gala awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall on November 9.

For Glamour’s December issue, Rihanna joins 11 other inspiring Women of the Year winners featured in the magazine, on newsstands November 10. Known mostly for her iconic style and original sound, Rihanna also talks about her passion working on the Believe Foundation, a fund she started in 2006 to provide educational and medical supplies to needy children.

“Rihanna’s clearly a superstar for her music and style alone — but in breaking her silence about what she calls the ‘big secret’ of domestic violence, she’s also sending an important message to young women that they too can move on, and succeed, after personal challenges,” says Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive.

Here, a few highlights from the interview:

Rihanna on the ordeal with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown: “I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears. That was the level of media chaos that happened the next day.”

Rihanna on her message to young women: “My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn’t heard. Now I can help speak for those women.”

Rihanna on her new album: “I’ve put everything I’ve wanted to say for the past eight months into my music. [My new album] is super fearless — which is exactly how I feel right now. I am in a really good place.”

Rihanna on relationships: “I want to find love in the next 10 years — that will be pretty annoying if I am 31 and still have never been in love!”

Rihanna on how she made it back: “My friends and family have been extremely supportive, and everyone has been there for me. But at some point you are there alone. It’s a lonely place to be — no one can understand. That’s when you get close to God.”