Chris Brown has opened up for the first time in an interview with the Mirror about his assault of Rihanna in 2009, calling the vicious attack the "deepest regret of my life."

Four years too late may be the thought running through most heads, but Brown hopes his apology for the incident to the U.K. publication can help smooth over recent backlash to their reconciliation. Brown was attending Elton John's Aids Foundation Oscars fund raising party in Hollywood when he came out with the admission to the Mirror. 

Out of character might be how some described his humble admission of guilt. "Sometimes you row, you fight, with the one you love and things get said, stuff spirals" the singer said. "That night was the deepest regret of my life, the biggest mistake. But she loves me - what can I say? I'm forgiven... but, yes, I worked hard for it." 

This, of course, came on the same evening Brown was mocked by Oscar host Seth McFarlane while describing the premise of the film Django Unchained. 

"This is a story about a man fighting to get back his woman who has been subjected to unthinkable violence," McFarlane said. "Or as Chris Brown and Rihanna call it-a date movie."

Brown responded to the joke during the interview with the Mirror.

"People attack me and criticize me, it happens all the time. But they don't know me, and they don't know us. It doesn't bother me any more. Other people can judge us, but they don't know anything."

He then added, "I've learned a lot since that night and I've grown up. I was very young and i took a lot of stuff, fame, for granted. I didn't understand it. The support from those who do know me and the fans, who are incredible, got me through."