Grammy organizers had to play a quick game of musical chairs on Sunday when two of the awards show’s top-billed performers dropped out shortly before the telecast.
Late Sunday, news broke that top-selling R&B singer Chris Brown, who has been romantically linked to pop singer Rihanna, was under investigation by Los Angeles police for attacking an unidentified woman after an argument in his car early Sunday morning, hours before he was scheduled to perform his hit single “Forever” at the Grammys.
Then shortly later, before Rihanna’s scheduled performance, reporters backstage were handed a tersely-worded notice by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences saying the singer would not be performing at the Grammys.
“We have just been informed that Rihanna will not be attending tonight’s 51st Annual Grammy Awards. We’re sorry she is unable to join us,” the academy said in a brief statement that did not offer any further explanation.
But the show must go on and so two stars, pop icon Justin Timberlake and R&B legend Al Green stepped in to fill in the slot where Rihanna had been slated to perform her latest hit, “Disturbia” early on in the telecast.
“We had 2 hours and 40 minutes to rehearse it,” said Green backstage. “I thrive on that kind of energy becuase it is just spontaneous.”
Brown, who released his first album in 2005 at the age of 16, the self-titled “Chris Brown,” topped the charts with his hit single “Run it.” Barbados-born Rihanna has already logged four Number 1 singles since breaking onto the charts in 2005. In 2007, she scored a Grammy for her hit “Umbrella,” a collaboration with the rapper Jay-Z.
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7 comments so far
this is sooo terrible!! I cant believe that such a good kid like chris brown would do such a thing!!! I am shocked to hear this and I hope he isnt charged with anything and that he is innoccent!!!!
- Posted by amyi dont believe that chris brown would ever hit rihanna….or anyone
that isnt rite.
- Posted by melissaIt’s ridiculous what people are saying. Apparently Chris Brown has a history of violence. And just because he’s famous doesn’t give him the right to hit another person. I hope that he does get charged. If he did something wrong, he should be punished for it just like a normal human being would be charged.
- Posted by NameI feel bad that two of the most talented young people have went down this path. In life we all make mistakes but it is up to them to learn from those mistakes. I don’t care what the circumstance are no one should ever lay their hands on another person. Just because someone has grown up in violent household doesn’t mean that their destiny is pre-determined. It’s even worst that it has happened to Chris and Rihanna where everyone will know, if not by word of mouth than on TV. I hope that he has learned a valuable lesson and whatever issues are going on can be resolved or worked out. I LOVE CHRIS BREEZY and RIHANNA.
- Posted by sweetteehonestly anyone that says \”rihanna must of said something or did something otherwise he wouldn\’t of hit her. You are a complete moron noone has the right to hit another human being whether your a woman hitting a man or man hitting a man or a celebrity i hope he does time and gets abused in lock up stupid fool.
there are people who are just cowards and bullies
- Posted by noCome on ppl get you act together.abuse is abuse regardless or who you are or what you say.grow up and get your act together
- Posted by ericaFirst of all, people need to hear both parties speak before making an assumption on who did what. Far as we know Rihanna could have made the attack and Chris was defending him self. It doesn’t take much for a person to look like they got their ass kick in a small sports car. It is definitly time for Americans to stop accusing only men in domestic disputes. Women to are violent and has the assurance of the court system that they wont spend a time in jail if they hit a man because they shouldn’t hit them back. Women play your roll as women and stay out of men face if you don’t want to be treated like a man when confrontation begans. This is real talk from a woman!!!
- Posted by MARCIE