Following Sunday’s booing of Chris Brown for winning the American Music Award, Kelly Rowland calmed the audience down.
The former member of Destiny’s Child announced that 33-year-old Brown had won the Favorite Male R&B Artist award, adding that she would accept the trophy on his place because he couldn’t be present.
Rowland, 41, responded to the crowd’s boos with “Excuse me.” “Slow down.”
The “Dilemma” singer addressed Brown directly after calling him a “great performer.”
The actress said, “Chris, thank you so much for making beautiful R&B songs. “I’ll accept this honor and present it to you. I cherish you. And congrats to each and every nominee in this category.
Rowland’s defense of Brown, who has been accused of violence against women repeatedly, was met with conflicting reactions on social media.
Why did Kelly Rowland push Chris Brown so aggressively on stage? What the f-k is Chris Brown doing still collecting awards and why is Kelly Rowland up there thanking his ass for real? was one Twitter user’s question.
To which a third responded, “Thank you Kelly Rowland for that true love you just showed Chris Brown for winning,” was added.
On Saturday, the dancer asserted that he was scheduled to give a Michael Jackson homage during the 50th annual awards ceremony.
ARE U SERIOUS? Brown shared a video from what looked to be a rehearsal with his Instagram followers over the weekend to explain. Would have been the AMAFest, but they canceled me for unspecified reasons.
The show’s creators have not yet commented on the performance’s apparent abrupt cancellation.
Since punching Rihanna in 2009, the songwriter has faced criticism numerous times, including accusations of hitting a woman in 2021 that were eventually dismissed owing to “insufficient evidence” and a lawsuit for allegedly drugging and raping a woman in 2020.
When the 2020 charge was made, Brown responded to it on Instagram by writing, “Whenever I’m releasing music or projects, ‘THEY’ attempt to pull some serious bulls-t.
In addition, Karreuche Tran, Brown’s ex-girlfriend who appeared as a presenter on Sunday’s show, allegedly got into fights with him.
From 2010 through 2015, the couple had an on-again, off-again relationship. In 2017, Tran accused Brown of punching her in the stomach and pushing her down a flight of stairs.
After that, the actress won a five-year restraining order against her ex.
At the time, Brown refuted her claims, asserted that she “doesn’t need a restraining order,” and charged that she was attempting to “market something.”
