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NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > CHRIS BROWN PUNCHES CAREER IN THE FACE, AND GIRLFRIEND RIHANNA TOO
CHRIS BROWN PUNCHES CAREER IN THE FACE, AND GIRLFRIEND RIHANNA TOO
February 9 2009
Hollywood CA – Very few performers would willingly pass up the opportunity to perform at the Grammys. The annual music awards show is watched by millions around the world and because of that is seen as the premiere showcase for music performers. Last Sunday’s Grammy’s were no exception in terms of viewership, but two high profile singers expected to perform were missing in action due to incarceration and hospitalization.
Singers Chris Brown and Rihanna were both scheduled to perform at the awards show but cancelled two hours prior after Brown allegedly assaulted girlfriend Rihanna, landing him in jail and her in hospital with a reported broken jaw. While the no show will likely not have much of a negative effect on either career, the vicious assault and imprisonment likely will.
“Domestic assault is never a good thing for anyone involved but in the case of high profile people the impact can be multiplied, sometimes in a positive way. Suddenly both singers are on the front pages of every tabloid and blog which will only do wonders for their immediate sales,” said Scrape TV Entertainment analyst Tracey Temple. “Long term is a different story. Rihanna may be fine, provided she is still able to sing, but Brown is in a different situation altogether. If he were a hip hop performer the transition to scumbag would be less of a leap, but being that he is an R&B performer things might not be so smooth. Bobby Brown did it, as did James Brown, but they both had formidable careers before they started beating women. Brown is still young and this could hinder his future.”
Other R&B singers who have had significant trouble with the law include Michael Jackson and R. Kelly. Early expectations though are that Brown’s career issues are far more severe than any of his predecessors.
“Jay-Z and Timbaland are very powerful people in the business and both are very protective of Rihanna. They are the kind of people who could kill a career at will and this incident isn’t likely to put Brown in good standing with either of them,” continued Temple. “Child molestation, pedophilia, statutory rape, these are all things you can get away with if you have a rep. Brown simply doesn’t have that. His profile isn’t nearly as high as hers and her friends are a lot more powerful. Sure Brown has Busta Rhymes but this isn’t 1996 anymore. The best option for Brown to continue his career is to go tough, once he gets out of prison that is.”
Brown was charged with “criminal threat” which could be elevated in the coming days. Maximum sentence for the current charge is four years in prison.
“Brown could come out of this shining. He is still very young and obviously he’s got a lot of talent and stage presence and that won’t go unnoticed. His handlers need to figure out how to redesign his career to fit the current situation. That may not be the ideal situation but it’s the one they have on their hands and they need to figure out the best way to navigate the situation,” said Carmen Diego, a publicist for CMA Publicity. “Things are always fluid when it comes to celebrities, especially young celebrities and it takes a deft hand to deal with them. If Brown can rap then that would be the ideal position to slot him in. Get some tattoos and some bling and he’ll fit right in. Keep
in mind hip hop is a genre that has built itself on the notion of being a badass. Beating up a woman won’t get you a whole lot of respect, but four years in prison certainly will.”
As for Rihanna, expectations are that this incident will only further cement her status as a top level performer. Aside from the increased exposure this incident brings, the sympathy and inevitable musical inspiration will keep her profile high for a very long time.
“As long as they spin this right they could exploit this
incident into some kind of woman power thing. Inevitably we’ll see her at charities for battered women but she needs to make her appearances. Ditching is going to
make her look like a diva,” continued Diego. Brown was in cuffs so he had a reason for not showing up but what was her excuse? Odds are she would have lip synched anyways so she wouldn’t have needed to use her mouth that much. Her people need to make sure she shows up to these things. Successful divas are few and far between.”
One performer who did make the show was former battered wife Whitney Houston.The resurrected diva had no comment on the Brown/Rihanna dust up but her publicist did say “Been there, done that.”
Samantha Dryden, Entertainment Correspondent
NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > CHRIS BROWN PUNCHES CAREER IN THE FACE, AND GIRLFRIEND RIHANNA TOO
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