American R&B singer Chris Brown is seemingly upset with the event organizers of the American Music Awards (AMAs). Brown stated that the event organizers canceled his Michael Jackson tribute performance, which he was planning to perform at the awards.
Chris Brown was booed after winning an award at last night’s American Music Awards, with presenter Kelly Rowland defending the controversial singer.
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During Sunday night’s ceremony in Los Angeles, Brown – who was not present – won the AMA for Favourite Male R&B Artist.
After announcing that Brown had won the award, audible boos were heard around the arena.
“Now, Chris Brown is not here tonight so I’m accepting the award on his behalf,” she told the crowd, before referencing the boos and saying: “Excuse me. Chill out.”
The New Flame singer took to Instagram to share a seven-minute clip of his rehearsals, wherein he is performing with other dancers on Michael Jackson’s hits, including Beat It, Bille Jean, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, and Thriller.
He spoke against the event’s organizers in the caption, noting:
“U SERIOUS?”
The artist continued in the comments:
“WOULD’VE been the AMA performance but they cancelled me for reasons unknown.”
This is the 50th edition of the AMAs, and will air on ABC starting at 8 pm ET. The awards will be held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Brown has received a nod for Favorite Male R&B Artist this year.
The event organizers are yet to release an official statement on why they canceled Brown’s performance.
According to reports, Brown would have begun the tribute with his own single, “Under the Influence.” But then he would have segued into an homage from Jackson. He was said to emulate many of the famed dance scenes that Jackson made household works of art, including segments from “Beat It,” “Wanna Be Starting’ Somethin’,” “Billie Jean” and the title track, “Thriller.”
Brown was not present at the award show, but he received a shoutout from former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, who accepted an award on his behalf and said, “Chris Brown is not here tonight, so I’m accepting this award on his behalf… I want to tell Chris, thank you so much for making great R&B music, and I want to tell him thank you for being an incredible performer. I’ll take this award and bring it to you, I love you! Congratulations, and congratulations to all the nominees in this category.”
Kelly Rowland Shushes Chris Brown Haters at the 2022 AMA’s
Kelly Rowland showed love to Chris Brown — and shushed a few of his critics — while presenting an award on stage at the 2022 American Music Awards.
After announcing Brown as the winner of the Favorite Male R&B Artist category, the 41-year-old “Dilemma” singer accepted the award on his behalf, noting that he was not able to attend the event. Amidst scattered boos from the audience, Rowland said to the crowd, “Excuse me. Chill out.”
Speaking then directly to Brown, Rowland added, “Chris, thank you so much for making great R&B music. l’ll take this award, bring it to you, I love you. Congratulations, and congratulations to all the nominees in this category.”
According to a viral tweet from @RNB_Radar, Brown was apparently set to perform a Michael Jackson tribute at the AMAs, but it was allegedly cancelled last minute. The tweet shares rehearsal footage showing the 33-year-old practicing a choreography for Jackson’s hit “Thriller.”
For years, Brown has had a long history of abusing women — including the physical assault of his ex Rihanna in 2009 among others. But this checkered past admittedly hasn’t stopped major artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and even Rihanna herself from collaborating with him over the years.
This isn’t Rowland’s first time speaking on Chris Brown, nor is she the first celebrity to face criticism after voicing support for the singer. In 2019, Justin Bieber caught some heat when he compared Brown to the likes of Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson, and in 2021, Lizzo received backlash for calling him her “favorite person in the whole fucking world.”