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Pop went Chris Brown’s bubble this week, in oh-so-many aspects.
In the confines of a weekend, the R&B singer lost an endorsement deal, a Grammy Awards performance, a girlfriend, and a squeaky-clean image – all while gaining a criminal record.
The downfall began on Sunday morning, around 12:30. According to witnesses, Brown allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with another female. A number of sources identified the woman as 20 year-old Rihanna.
After one onlooker heard screaming, she called 911. By the time police arrived, Brown left the scene of the crime – but turned himself in to custody later that evening. The Los Angeles Police Department booked Brown on suspicion of making felony criminal threats. Authorities released the singer after he posted the $50,000 bail.
A court date is set for March. Wrigley Jr. Company is not waiting until then to take action. The candy company suspended its marketing campaign which promotes Doublemint gum with Brown and his song, “Forever”. In a statement released Monday, Wrigley’s acknowledges due process yet takes the allegations seriously.
Coincidentally, Brown’s “Got Milk?” campaign was previously set to cease this week. That contract will not be renewed. Furthermore, the crooner will not appear at next weekend’s NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.
As the fallout of Brown’s fate unfolds, more details emerge about the victim, allegedly Rihanna. According to TMZ, law officials call the songstress’s injuries “horrific.” The website reported a litany of damage done by the beating – from face contusions to busted lips and a bloody nose.
Both singers cancelled their performances for Sunday’s Grammy Awards. Neither won an award.
TMZ’s Leslie Harris informed me that there’s a history of domestic violence in Brown’s family. In an interview on The Tyra Banks Show a few years ago, Brown recounted some of those childhood memories.
“I treat women differently, because you know, I don’t want to put a women through the same thing that person put my mom through,” said Brown when recalling memories of watching the abuse as young as age 7.
Rumors began to swirl earlier this month that the couple, who had been dating for at least a year, was on the rocks. Other artists even talked about the possible break-up. Grammy nominated Colby O’Donis went as far to dedicate a song off of his LP, “Let You Go”, to the duo.
“I actually just found out that they broke up,” O’Donis told me exclusively on 97 BHT the Thursday before The Grammy’s. “I’m sure they’re going to dedicate that song to each other.”
O’Donis nabbed his first Grammy nod for his contribution to Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance.” He and Rihanna share a mutual friend in singer/producer Akon.
As of press time, neither Brown’s nor Rihanna’s camp issued a statement regarding the abuse reports.
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