Natalia Zoppa today defended controversial US rapper Chris Brown after he held her by the throat during a provocative dance routine — and said: 'I loved every minute of it.'

The former Love Island contestant, 23, was picked from the audience by Brown, 33, at his concert in Manchester on Monday night as part of his routine to 'serenade' a fan on stage.

Brown, who famously assaulted his then girlfriend Rhianna in 2009, faced a backlash over the performance after straddling Natalia and grabbing her around the neck.

But Natalia has insisted she was 'happy' to be involved despite critics claiming he was sexualising violence and displaying 'controlling behaviour'.

She told MailOnline: 'Why are people assuming the worst? It's actually annoying. I loved every minute of it.'

Natalia, a reality star and OnlyFans model, said she had seen Brown’s performances before and was keen to volunteer for the moment on stage.

She added: 'I've seen previous dances he's done, and I knew what the routine was. I was more than happy to participate.'

Defending the way Brown touched her, she insisted: 'He barely even grabbed me.'

The R&B star performed the routine as he sang the track Take You Down, holding Natalia's hand, kissing her neck and thrusting his hips as he straddled the TV star, who sat on a chair in the middle of the stage.

Critics slammed the scene, calling it 'disturbing' and said Natalia was treated 'like a piece of meat'.

They claimed Brown is sending a 'dangerous message to young people' with his routine.

One mother said she found the clip 'scary' because it may lead 'impressionable children' to believe grabbing a woman by the throat is acceptable.

Other fans said Natalia 'didn't look uncomfortable at all' - and assumed the routine was rehearsed.

Brown performed the same moves, grabbing a different female audience member by the throat, during his show in Berlin.

Brown was convicted of domestic violence against superstar Rihanna 14 years ago.

He left her with facial injuries so severe she needed hospital treatment after attacking her in their car.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of felony assault and was sentenced to five years of probation, one year of domestic violence counselling, and six months of community service.

He was also handed a five-year restraining order requiring him to remain 50 yards away from Rihanna at all times, reducing to 10 at public events.

He has admitted busting Rihanna's lip and leaving her "spitting blood" as he attacked her, in documentary Welcome To My Life.

Another ex-girlfriend, Karrueche Tran claimed that Brown punched her in her stomach twice and pushed her down stairs during their relationship.

Nightclub photographer Bennie L. Vines also reportedly considered bringing charges against Brown after the singer allegedly punched him for taking photos during a promotional appearance.

While he was also arrested in a dramatic stand-off at his home in 2016 after beauty pageant winner Baylee Curran accused him of pointing a gun at her head.

Despite Brown's history of violence against Rihanna, she agreed to record music with him on her ‘Unapologetic’ album in 2012.

Natalia found fame on winter Love Island in 2020, entering the villa as a Casa Amor bombshell.