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Chris Brown camp denies BET Awards snub
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MTV: Chris Brown performs "Billie Jean" at 2007 VMAs
A number of announced last-minute additions to the Michael Jackson-themed BET Awards never materialized on Sunday's live broadcast, among them performers Michael counted among his absolute favorites - Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake and Usher.
Immediately following the shock of Jackson's death on Thursday, producers spent the next three days turning the entire program into a King of Pop tribute. It was announced that Brown, Timberlake and Usher were being added to the lineup, but when Sunday's three-and-a-half hour program was over – none of them had graced the stage.
Both "Ursh" and Timberlake released separate statements the following day expressing regret that they were out of town – Usher in Paris, J.T. in London – and unable to make the trip to Los Angeles on such short notice. [Both agreed to take part in a later tribute to Jackson on BET.]
As for Brown's no-show, there were reports that he spent those three days rehearsing a special number and was all set to perform it when producers got cold feet over his recent felony assault rap.
Brown, a Michael Jackson fanatic who regularly incorporated the Gloved One's songs and routines into his live shows [see videos below], only a week earlier pleaded guilty in Los Angeles to beating his ex-girlfriend and fellow pop star Rihanna. He was handed a community service order and five years supervised probation as well as being told to stay away from the songstress.
Both the New York Daily News and the New York Post reported that producers dumped the Tappahannock, VA native at the last minute at the insistence of Jackson family advisor Al Sharpton and rap mogul Jay-Z, who discovered Rihanna in 2004 when he was the president of Def Jam and took her under his wing.
"Al made such a fuss to the BET executives that they pulled Chris,” an "insider" said, according to the Daily News. “Jay is a big name in the BET community, and he was very vocal about his displeasure with Chris attending the ceremony. He didn’t want Chris anywhere near the awards so close to the court’s ruling."
Both BET publicists and Brown’s camp reportedly deny the allegations. A spokesman for Brown told the Daily News he was never even booked for the show. The rep told the Post of their similar story, "That's not true -- he was never confirmed to perform."
Chris Brown performs "Billie Jean" dance (at 5:05) at the 2007 VMAs
Chris Brown performs Thriller at World Music Awards
Chris Brown - Michael Jackson dance during world tour
For more info:
Usher Regrets Missing BET Awards – Planning Michael Jackson Tribute
Justin Timberlake, Usher, Ne-Yo Talk About Michael Jackson's Influence
NY Daily News: Chris Brown not a good bet for BET awards, says Al Sharpton
NY Post: Chris Brown Nixed by Jay-Z
Video: Michael Jackson, Usher and Chris Tucker perform "You Rock My World" at 2007 WMAs
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