Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Kelly Rowland Defends Chris Brown From Booing At the AMAs
After an absent Chris Brown was awarded Favorite Male R&B Artist, Kelly Rowland defended the singer, accepting the trophy on his behalf.
Kelly Rowland is taking a stance against Chris Browndetractors. While presenting the Favorite Male R&B Artist category at the 2022 American Music Awards, the former Destiny's Child member accepted the trophy on Brown's behalf after the noticeably-absent singer was booed by some audience members. Also in the category were The Weeknd, Lucky Daye, Brent Faiyaz and GIVĒON.
“Excuse me — chill out,” Rowland retorted to those protesting in the crowd. She continued, “But I wanted 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, bring it to you. I love you. Congratulations. And congratulations to all the nominees in this category.”
\u201cKelly Rowland said you ain't gonna cut me off Chris Brown needs his flowers\u201d— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf4 (@Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf4) 1668997234
Brown was previously expected to attend the AMAs, also performing an eight-minute set honoring the 40th anniversary of Michael Jackson's 1982 landmark album Thriller. In footage of the singer's Thriller choreography, Brown, with an added cameo from Ciara, was supposed to dance to “Beat It,” “Wanna Be Startin' Somethin’,” “Billie Jean,” and “Thriller" before the performance was called off at the last minute.
\u201cChris Brown was suppose to do Michael Jackson tribute for the 40th anniversary of Thriller (the album) at the #AMAs\u00a0this Sunday. \n\nHowever, the AMA\u2019s canceled it without telling him their reason \u2026 here is footage of him rehearsing \n\n\u201d— RNB RADAR (@RNB RADAR) 1668870301
\u201cMJ thank you for the inspiration you\u2019ve given us all! Thriller 40th Anniversary. @ChrisBrown you\u2019re a rare breed of this generation. Always fun to rock with you \ud83d\udc83\ud83c\udffd\u201d— Ciara (@Ciara) 1669050181
On social media, Rowland was criticized for defending Brown, many noting Brown's history of colorism and domestic abuse. Earlier in the week, Rowland went to Hot 97 to discuss her next film Fantasy Football, but was derailed by questions about longtime collaborator and friend Beyoncé. When co-host Peter Rosenberg asked Rowland about "playing second" to the Renaissance artist, Rowland explained that both "shine together."
"Here's the thing, light attracts light. I am light," Rowland said. "So I am a beautiful brown shining light. So I don't think anybody's light dims anyone else's. I think that when other people start to compare you, I think that's when it shows how dim they are of themselves."
\u201cWhat the fuck is Chris brown doing still winning awards and why is Kelly Rowland up there thanking his ass wtf truly\u201d— \ud83d\udc08 (@\ud83d\udc08) 1668995462
\u201cIt's so sad to see all of these women artists who we respect so much putting their integrity into question for a man who abuses MULTIPLE women and who's colorist?? Does Kelly Rowland know he doesn't even like dark-skinned women???\u201d— Material Blerd! \ud83e\ude84 (@Material Blerd! \ud83e\ude84) 1668997844
\u201cKelly Rowland is a clown for defending Chris Brown when he wouldn\u2019t even let dark skinned women that look like her in his section @ the club.\u201d— IG: @athemilana\ud83d\udc96 (@IG: @athemilana\ud83d\udc96) 1669002146
\u201cKelly Rowland defending Chris Brown, an abuser and discriminatory asshat against dark-skinned black women. Embarrassing for her.\u201d— That's so Maven (@That's so Maven) 1669003966
