Rihanna has been house hunting in the Hollywood Hills.

The "Take a Bow" singer reportedly spent Monday looking at properties in the same exclusive area of Los Angeles where celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Richie and Cameron Diaz live, according to X17Online.

Rihanna, 21, is also believed to have viewed Christina Aguilera's former Hollywood home, which is closer to the city's shops and clubs than her present house in the quiet neighbourhood of Los Feliz.

While Rihanna has been taking a break from work, her on/off boyfriend Chris Brown - who has been charged with felony assault and making criminal threats following his alleged assault on her last month - has found it hard to concentrate on making his latest album.

Singer Tyrese Gibson - who is close to the 19-year-old singer - said the charges looming over him have left him struggling.

Tyrese told People magazine: "Although he appears to be really strong through all of this, it's really taking a toll on his spirit. "People like me and P. Diddy are just trying to show him love and keep his spirits up while he's going through all of the heat, and there are a lot people doing the same for Rihanna. "I'm not trying to justify it because wrong is wrong, but unfortunately, us as entertainers, we have to grow up on stage with a lot of people looking at us." Chris will next appear in court on April 6 when he will enter his plea for the charges against him.

(China Daily/Agencies, March 25, 2009)