Chris Brown's 'GMA' outburst: Making headlines for the wrong reasons on release day
Chris Brown should be making headlines for his new album, “F.A.M.E.,” which hit stores Tuesday. Instead, he is plastered all over the news once again for non-musical reasons.
He went into his "Good Morning America" appearance Tuesday morning with intentions to discuss his music, and to perform, but his segment became tense when interviewer Robin Roberts pushed him to discuss the 2009 felony assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna, for which he pleaded guilty. Brown attempted to control the conversation, but Roberts pressed.
According to ABC, after the live interview an enraged Brown stormed into his dressing room and trashed it. Security was called, but a window in the room had already been smashed by a chair, sending glass onto the street below.
ABC News later released a statement that said: "As always, we asked questions that are relevant and newsworthy, and that's what we did in this interview with Mr. Brown."
Requests for a statement from Brown’s label, Jive, went unreturned on Tuesday, and a previously scheduled Times interview regarding Brown’s comeback with Tom Carrabba, the executive vice president and general manager of Jive Label Group, was canceled Tuesday morning.
The reports of Brown’s temper are a far contrast from what the singer displayed during a recent evening inside Record Plant Studios in Hollywood. Boyish grin fixed on his baby face, he made sure to extend his hand to greet every person who walked into the room before plopping himself in front of a wide mixing board next to an engineer as he was about to unveil a sample of his upcoming album to press and industry insiders.
The pop-R&B singer and showman was eager to play the new music, no longer interested in discussing the controversy.
“This is the most sincere song I could do,” Brown said before introducing “Beautiful People,” a Benny Benassi-produced, synth-heavy Euro-pop-infused single on which he pleads for listeners to discover the beauty inside and not let others bring them down.
He flashed a smile when he talked about the new tracks on the album, and was in a good mood throughout the night, joking and laughing with his crew. If he was worried whether the disc would help position him back at the same level of success he enjoyed before the Grammy-evening incident with Rihanna two years ago, he didn't show it.
Entertainment publicist Courtney Barnes, who heads his own agency, has helped reinvigorate controversy-plagued stars like Brandy and Ron Artest. Speaking as observer on Brown's situation, he had said before Tuesday's incident that his talent remains strong enough to salvage his career. “Not that time has healed his situation ... but to be honest with you, nobody else has come along since he’s had his trouble that is viable enough to take his spot as the premiere R&B male crossover singer of this generation.”
Barnes said the record is the latest in a string of savvy musical decisions Brown has made. But when it comes to his public image, Barnes said there is still some work to be done.
He suggested Brown limit print press –- which he largely has -– and stick to high-profile TV performances, though that suggestion, made prior to Tuesday's "GMA" appearance, may have changed. Brown declined repeated interview requests for this story, and there's no word on whether a scheduled appearance on “Dancing With the Stars” next week is still on. On Monday, he performed on BET’s “106 & Park,” where the girls chanted his name.
“The mistake he made with Larry King was he was there for an hour. When you give a person who’s that young and in that type of trouble an hour with an experienced journalist, you’re asking for trouble,” Barnes said. “He would have been far more successful had he done 15 minutes. There’s just too much room for too many follow questions where you can end up looking really, really bad.”
The past year has shown signs of musical recovery for the 21-year-old.
Instead of retreating after his first post-incident album, 2009’s “Graffiti” underperformed on both the charts and with critics -- it ranks as the lowest-reviewed album of that year, according to aggregator Metacritic.com, and has sold a mere 316,000 copies to date (not the multi-platinum success of its two predecessors). Brown issued three mixtapes last year, including “Fan of a Fan,” which yielded hit singles “Deuces” and “No BS.”
“Deuces,” a simmering, downtempo R&B kiss-off immediately linked to Rihanna, reached No. 1 on the R&B/hip-hop singles chart, where it spent 10 weeks. The track, which snagged a Grammy nomination -- one of three he received this year -- was included on “F.A.M.E.”
“The fanbase has come back. Will it put him to where exactly he was? Not yet,” said disc jockey Big Boy, who hosts a syndicated morning radio program on KPWR-FM (105.9). “People are still standoffish toward him. It’s a little bit different.”
A string of misfires in the past few months have upset the delicate balance that Brown and his representatives have attempted to reach in their interactions with the public and press.
In January, Brown got into a heated Twitter feud with former B2K singer Raz B in which he shot off a homophobic slur. Then a naked photo of Brown leaked weeks before the album’s release. And now there's the “GMA” dustup. But for a singer already being handled with kid gloves -- he’s been known to hang up on radio interviewers if he doesn't like a question -– will this string of misfires hurt the album?
“In more recent times he’s let the music speak for itself. A hit record will revive anything,” said DJ Skee, a disc jockey for KIIS-FM (102.7) who has a weekly show on Sirius XM satellite radio. “You have to give people second chances. We all make mistakes. Granted, it’s not OK what he did. I don’t think people will forget. But you can’t control that. You have to just step in that future.”
In the wake of Rihanna incident, Brown pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge and brokered a plea bargain that placed him on five years of supervised probation and 180 hours of community service in his home state of Virginia. He completed a court-mandated yearlong domestic-violence counseling course, and a restraining order banning Brown from coming within 50 yards of Rihanna for five years has since been lifted.
Instead of cramming “F.A.M.E.” -- an acronym for both “Fans Are My Everything” and “Forgiving All My Enemies” -- with redemptive pleas, he’s doing what made him a superstar six years ago: commanding the dance floor. Forced to ditch his boy-next-door image -- both age and a felony court case lent a hand in that -- he’s settled into this harder-edged, sexual lothario role. “F.A.M.E.” blends together R&B, pop, hip-hop, reggae and Europop sounds. While the lead single, “Yeah 3x,” struggled to make an impression, the follow-up “Look at Me Now” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 11.
Jermaine Hall, editor in chief of Vibe magazine, who gave Brown his first post-incident cover, said Brown’s success on the charts is “a testament to his talent,” and despite the negativity he’s bound to rebound.
“It says a lot when people leave you for dead,” Hall said, “and you’re able to pick yourself up.”
Related:
'GMA' co-host Robin Roberts on Chris Brown interview: 'I didn't think it had gone well'
Chris Brown tweets about 'Good Morning America' outburst
Album review: Chris Brown's 'F.A.M.E.'
-- Gerrick D. Kennedy
Photos: Top, Chris Brown is shown on the set of ABC's "Good Morning America" with host Robin Roberts. Credit: Ida Mae Brown / ABC / Reuters. Middle, Chris Brown. Credit: Kenneth Cappello
That Chris apparently thinks plastering on a sweet smile will get him a pass - even from respected news journalists - on discussing his vicious assault serves to further establish his lack of character, lack of remorse and sense of entitlement. Well, that in addition to going into a violent rage backstage at a major television show.
Posted by: Billy Idler | March 23, 2011 at 09:48 AM
I don't care how talented or un-talented Chris Brown is, he's a beater of women. He cannot control his anger and the slightest provocation sets him off. 99.9% of people don't throw someone's property through a 3-story window when they're upset. Loser.
Posted by: David | March 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM
I think that chris brown is sexy as hell and he is a good singer and a great dance and he should not go back to jail beacsue all his fan will be mad at him again and i am the big fan in the world and i love him with all my heart and i want too meet him in real life. and he is going to be in chicago and i am going to see him
Posted by: michelle | March 23, 2011 at 11:47 AM
The fact that the media is now trying to give this violent person a pass for ratings is absolutely ridiculous. He should not be rewarded for bad behavior. His new persona is disgusting at best. He has embodied every negative image any age, gender or social economic status that should not allow their impressionable musical representatives line to cross. He is a bad taste in any reasonable and articulate persons mouth to even say his name.
Posted by: This is Dispicable | March 23, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Why is she asking questions about something that happened 2 yrs ago?! That is not relevant to his new album. He made a mistake in 09, get over it. People can change. He came there to talk about his album but instead he was asked about stuff that happened 2 yrs ago and he got mad. So what! We've all made mistakes and he made his. Its in the past and people need to move on. How can you judge someone who made a mistake when we all have. Love you Chris
Posted by: ms wright | March 23, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Chris Brown is very Talented and he did make a mistake, unfortunately because he is in spot light anything he does the media will make it 10x's worst. I'm not saying what he did to Rhianna was right, but at the same time don't you think that it's time to move forward and leave the past in the past.
This is what I don't understand. Here you have a singer that made his mistakes and admitted he did it, paid for his mistake and is still paying for it. then you have someone like Charlie Sheen who not only has beaten several of his ex gf's, wives and i'm sure a few porn stars, yet this man is making MILLIONS selling his 'winning' bull! This man has been doing this for years and continues to amuse the idiots that watch him. he's still a drug addict, he's still a dead beat and he's still an idiot. I just don't see how someone like HIM is entertaining america and someone like Chris Brown makes 1 mistake and his career is out the window. Cut this guy some slack!
Posted by: sophia | March 23, 2011 at 01:22 PM
I blame the media.... Why are you asking about something that has nothing to do with the reason that he is on the show.... Yes what he did was wrong but he is trying to grow and move on from it but of course the media does not want that to happen.... Then they look at him like he is wrong when he gets upset..... Well my question to all of you who are criticizing him how would you react? I would have probably reacting that way ON AIR!!! Since they have the nerve to ask something like that ON AIR!!!!
Posted by: Clo | March 23, 2011 at 01:37 PM
This is truly outrageous. Not that of the behavior of Chris Brown, but that of the media. I am sure upon accepting interviewer Robin Roberts proposal to showcase his new album, their were some terms and conditions of the interview. I am very much surprise in Robin Roberts, what did she think that she would win some type of Oscar, or honored by the news cast association. Although I do not and will never condone any form of domestic violence, the young man has paid his dues to society. This is my questioned. Would Robin Roberts would have pushed Charlie Sheen in such a manner. No she would not; as that, she would have never received the chance to interview him. We need to allow the past to be the past. I am sure interviewer Robin Roberts, has some issues from her past that she would like to lie dominated.
Phyl
Posted by: Phyl | March 23, 2011 at 01:48 PM
this ridiculous he made a mistake 2 years ago let it go. yes it was wrong but he and rihanna are trying to move so should the rest of the world. a good reporter should stay to the topic of what there job is. if you cant do that then get a different job
Posted by: andria | March 23, 2011 at 01:51 PM
why dont they get over the Rihanna thing ! he's tryna move on and they wont let him! EVERYBODY makes mistakes!
Posted by: ROSA APONTE | March 23, 2011 at 02:30 PM
I think he's just a little baby but my 1 year old his more mature than chris brown his I have no respect for anyone famous or not that beat women they have a special place in hell for them
Posted by: Matt Anderson | March 23, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Ms Wright: You must be a nut yourself. I don't care if the incident w/Rihanna happened 10 years ago. A professional, mature, SANE individual would have gracefully answered the questions - perhaps even welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate his growth - then parlayed his answer into discussion of his new album. He then could have left the GMA studios triumphantly after his performance. An intelligent young man would realize that people may continue to question him about Rihanna for years to come. SO WHAT. There are consequences for bad behaviour. Deal with it, handel it and keep it movin. He should have been greatful that he was invited on the show at all.
Posted by: Deb | March 23, 2011 at 03:04 PM
Newspapers, News networks, the media period are out to do one thing...increase ratings. Every person in that studio was probably thinking about some of the same questions Robin was asking him. Only, GMA got the better end of the deal. I'm not saying Chris is a Saint. He's so far from it that he might burn a little if he went to church. He definitely has anger issues and needs help with it. But in his defense, that interview was all about probing for profit. Instead of asking Chris about his new album or how has his career been going (boring, boring, boring), Robin brings up the apparently sensitive incident with him and Rihanna (exciting, exciting, exciting). Even when he tried to blow it off, she insisted. That's why I hate the media sometime.
Posted by: Tony P | March 23, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Chris Breezy did his wrong but it should be left alone he was trying to think about something positive and his negative pass was brought up. I still love him!!
Posted by: Michele | March 23, 2011 at 04:52 PM
ABC was wrong for provoking Chris Brown to descuss the issue with him and rihanna. i will no longer watch ABC.
Posted by: jennifer | March 23, 2011 at 04:56 PM
If Chris Brown (or his manager or handlers or whomever) thought that a show like Good Morning America (whose viewers are predominantly young mothers raising children and middle aged housewives who most likely have no idea who Chris Brown is outside of the Rihanna incident) would ask him any question not related to his relationship and physical abuse of Rihanna, then he's even a bigger moron than I thought in the first place. And like a lot of people, I thought he was a really big moron in the first place.
Posted by: Rudolpho | March 23, 2011 at 05:11 PM
i don't think Robin had a right to bring up the 2009 incident with chris and rihanna its in the past and they have both progressed and moved on with their lives so just let it go people. he's paid his debt to society now let the man live his life happily and peacefully........
Posted by: chelsea carr | March 23, 2011 at 05:15 PM
My goodness leave the man alone. Nobody is perfect and your not suppose to judge. He pleaded guilty regarding the situation with Rhianna and doing what he needs to do to move on. Robin should not had brought up the past Rhianna situation period it was two freaking years ago, if he did not talk to her then about it what makes her think he wanted to do it now.
I sure would hate to know the skeletons you people have in your wicked closets.
Posted by: Wisdom | March 23, 2011 at 05:28 PM
I'm trying to figure out why do people keep asking Chris Brown the same questions...If he was on GMA to promote the release of his album F.A.M.E then that's what Robin Roberts should of discussed. Not keep bringing up what happened in 2009 with him and Rihanna. How many times must he apologize, discuss and endure something from the past?Why is it the Media as well as some people can't get over his mistakes? I don't agree with domestic violence by any means-but it comes a time where people should let go of ones past so they can move on to continue to better themselves. Our country always states: Freedom, Equality and Second Chances well why doesnt it seem people are giving him one. I like Robin but for her to keep askin him the same questions over and over had me pissed off and it's not even about me. Im like if this man;this Black Man is trying to be better and Move forward --my God why can't people allow him to do that? It just doesn't make any sense to me. This Country, This Earth will never allow people to just live(for good)if its not negative people don't grasp it well. But let people be making a mockery out of their own life re: Charlie Sheen and its all of a sudden funny(not hardly). But to Chris hang in there Place God first bc "he will make your enemies your footstool".
Posted by: le-sha | March 23, 2011 at 05:44 PM
Enough is enough get over it Chris is a young talented normal human being just as we were one day and just as our children are! Did the world forget that we all mess up as we grow up we all make mistakes so let it go! THE WORLD NEEDS TO STOP SITTING AROUND WAITING AND WANTING OTHERS TO FAIL! Im pretty sure he reacted that way because he have moved on and paid his debt for that situation and now he is focused on more positive things like his new cd. STOP JUDGING THATS GOD'S JOB NOT GOOD MORNING AMERICA NOR YOURS!
Posted by: johnny lindsey | March 23, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Leave the past in the past. This young man is trying to build a future.
Support him..
Posted by: Kathy tate | March 23, 2011 at 06:54 PM
Robin Roberts did nothing wrong in this interview. She was just doing her job. Chris Brown wasn't even making eye-contact with her and kept doing rude things during the interview like waving to his fans and blowing kisses to his fans.
He is such a loser.
Posted by: Erika Dani | March 23, 2011 at 07:30 PM
CHRiS BROWN iS A GREAT SiNGER WHO MAY A MiSTAKE! iF HiS FANS CAN FORGiVE HiM THEN WHY CAN'T THE REST OF THE WORLD GET OFF HiS BACK! NO ONE KNOWS WHAT REALLY WENT ON WiTH CHRiS AND RiHANNA BUT THEM SO EVERYBDY SHOULD LEAVE THAT ALONE AND LET THE BOY SHiNE!.......................------STiLL A CHRiS BROWN FAN------
Posted by: TiERRA K | March 23, 2011 at 07:47 PM
once a punk always a punk.
Posted by: chris | March 23, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Let it go already, let the young man move on with his life. How can he learn from his mistakes if people keep talking about it? I just hope that chris get all the help that he need and keep god in his prayers. So im sure he do have alot to learn from in life. Im glad that he apologize to GMA and he just want to move past it. Please please chris dont do any more of them interviews.
Posted by: Neci | March 23, 2011 at 10:05 PM