Rihanna, Brown hotel stay "a coincidence"

A representative for Rihanna has insisted that it was only by "coincidence" that the 'Umbrella' star spent the weekend at the same Manhattan hotel as ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

The 21-year-old singer and Brown were reported to have checked into separate rooms at the Trump International Hotel And Tower on Friday, and were later seen arriving and exiting the building in separate cars.

Speaking to Access Hollywood, a spokesperson said: "This was a coincidence. She's stayed there before as have thousands of people."

Brown, 20, had been seen visiting a childhood friend in Harlem on Friday, while Rihanna was photographed partying with Katy Perry and dining with friends during her stay in the city.

The R&B star recently struck a plea deal in court following allegations that he assaulted Rihanna in a dispute in February. He was sentenced to five years' probation and 120 hours of community service.

Brown issued a video apology last week, insisting that he was continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred can never happen again and that legal advice had prevented him from speaking out sooner.