Rihanna and Chris Brown KISS on the lips at MTV VMAs

Is this the proof that Rihanna and Chris Brown are more than friends? Pair KISS on the lips at MTV VMAs 

By SARAH BULL and MIKE LARKIN

PUBLISHED: 04:54, 7 September 2012 | UPDATED: 16:33, 7 September 2012

She sparked rumours that she had rekindled her relationship with Chris Brown after she called him the love of her life in a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey.

And at last night's MTV VMA awards, Rihanna appeared to finally confirm the rumours are true.

As she exited the stage at the star-studded event after collecting her Video Of The Year award, Rihanna, 24, was stopped by former boyfriend Chris as he congratulated her.

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More than friends? Rihanna and Chris Brown were seen sharing a kiss at the MTV VMA awards, as Rihanna exited the stage after collecting her award for Video Of The Year

The pair were seen kissing on the lips, before hugging tenderly, with Chris' arm looking slightly proprietorial around Rihanna's waist.

The images of Rihanna and Chris, 23, are sure to spark rumours among the singers' fans that the pair have decided to give their relationship another go.

And quite what Chris's girlfriend Karreuche Tran will think is another matter. 

Still close: Chris held onto Rihanna's waist as she stood talking to singer Akon 

Rihanna and Chris' tender display comes after she admitted to Oprah that she still considers Chris to be the 'love of her life', despite the fact that she took a restraining order out against the singer after he was charged with assault after hitting Rihanna at a pre-Grammy party in 2009.

His vicious assault, which led to her being hospitalised, led to him receiving five years of probation as a result.

Cuddling up: Rihanna looked thrilled to be congratulated after her win by Chris, who put his arm around the singer's waist as they hugged

Cheeky chappy! Rihanna was also seen patting Chris on the head as she made her way back to her seat

But Rihanna told Oprah that since the restraining order was dropped in February 2011, the pair have been working on their friendship.

She said: 'I think he is the love of my life. He was my first love. Now we're very close friends. And that's not anything we're going to try to change.

'It's awkward because I still love him. My stomach drops and I have to maintain this poker face and not let it get to the outer part of me. I have to maintain it and suppress it. When you don't understand those feelings you can make a lot of mistakes.'

At the time of making the comments, Rihanna was single while Chris has been dating model Karrueche Tran.

Victory: Rihanna won the prestigious Video Of The Year prize for We Found Love

What's so funny? Rihanna shared a joke with host Kevin Hart as she made her way onto the stage

Rihanna's friendly display with Chris at the VMAs is also likely to anger charities who blasted the singer for 'sanctioning' domestic violence after the Oprah interview.

Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of the Women's Resource Centre, said last month: 'Rihanna's case demonstrates the emotional complexities felt by women locked in abusive relationships.

'Whatever the nature of the argument, [Brown] chose to beat her up. And we need to stop society allowing us to normalise such behaviour.'

All white on the night: Rihanna showed off her new super-short hairdo and her toned figure in a backless white dress

Best of pals: Rihanna posed with Nicki Minaj and best friend Katy Perry in the front row

Girly time: Rihanna and Katy cuddled up in the front row as the awards took place

At last night's VMAs, Rihanna and Chris both took home awards, with Rihanna being named Video of the Year for We Found Love, and Chris winning Best Male Video and Best Choreography for Turn Up The Music.

Chris' win is likely to please the singer even more as he was up against rival Drake for the prize.

The RnB singer seemed more than a little delighted to have scored his victory following his infamous brawl with Drake in a New York nightclub in June.

Sssssssexy: For her performance later in the evening, Rihanna arrived on the stage in a giant snake head

Lady in red: Rihanna wore a pair of tight shiny red trousers, with a sheer top and turban-style headscarf

Belting it out: Rihanna performed her latest track Cockiness (Love It) with rapper A$AP Rocky

When he took to the stage he said: 'First and foremost, I want to thank Team Breezy, Riveting Entertainment because this is my first time actually being able to direct a video by myself.'

However, Drake did not walk away empty handed after losing out on the big award for Take Care. Instead, he won the lightly regarded Best Hip-Hop Video award instead.

Meanwhile, the show's host Kevin Hart made light of Drake and Chris's brawl at the W.i.P club that left eight people injured, including San Antonio Spurs player Tony Parker, who later said he nearly lost his left eye.

VMA smackdown! Chris got revenge on old rival Drake by beating him to best male video award

Moving on: But Drake did not walk off empty handed after scooping best hip hop video

He said: 'Right now you guys are arguing over a mistake. You're arguing over a thrown bottle in the club.

'Drake is from Canada. Drake loves to recycle. Drake thought there was a recycle bin in Chris's section.'

The cameras showed 25-year-old Drake laughing heartily at the quips.

However, he may not be laughing for long, as he and Brown have been hit with a $16m lawsuit over the incident by the clubs owners, who lost their licence following the melee.

Gentleman? Chris helped Demi Lovato after accepting his award from the X Factor judge and Rita Ora

Famous friends: Chris accepted his award from Rita Ora, who looked chic in a black and white feathered dress

Front row fashion: Chris looked smart in a shiny grey suit as he sat in the front row at the awards

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS 2012 WINNERS

Video of the Year: Rihanna, "We Found Love"

Best New Artist: One Direction

Best Female Video: Nicki Minaj, "Starships"

Best Male Video: Chris Brown, "Turn Up The Music"

Video With a Message: Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper"

Best Hip-Hop Video: Drake feat. Lil Wayne, "HYFR"

Best Rock Video: Coldplay, "Paradise"

Best Pop Video: One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"

Best Electronic Dance Music Video: Calvin Harris, "Feel So Close"

Most Share-Worthy Video: One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"

Best Choreography: Chris Brown, "Turn Up the Music"

Best Editing: Beyonce, "Countdown"

Best Visual Effects: Skrillex, "First of the Year (Equinox)"

Best Cinematography: M.I.A., "Bad Girls"

Best Art Direction: Katy Perry, "Wide Awake"

Best Direction: M.I.A., "Bad Girls"

Video: Rihanna accepts her award...

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2199631/MTV-VMAs-2012-Chris-Brown-gets-revenge-rival-Drake-beating-Best-Male-Video--hugging-joint-love-Rihanna.html#ixzz25pPWnqsw