When Chris Brown performed at the Grammys on Sunday he caused a bit of a stir because a lot of people are still very uncomfortable with him since the whole Rihanna beating incident. We heard a couple of weeks ago that he was on the performance list, and a lot of Pink readers were dismayed and disappointed. It didn’t help that last week we heard that Chris was told by the courts that needs to stay under the watchful eye of his probation officer as he completes the remainder of his sentence. When the RUMORS started a couple of weeks ago that Chris and Rihanna have been hooking up the past couple of months (none of which were ever confirmed) the comments out there sent a pretty clear message – ‘How could she? Once a hitter is always a hitter’. It seems to me that most people cannot forgive the unspeakable thing that Chris did to his then girlfriend (almost 3 years ago). A lot of people seemed to feel the same way about him being back on the Grammys stage. The Executive Producer explains why they invited Chris back…
Brown performed twice on Sunday’s show and even won an award. In the aftermath of the Grammy Awards executive decision to have Chris Brown perform at this years show many people were confused about the decision. Grammy Awards executive producer Ken Ehrlich spoke to ABC News Radio a few days before Chris took to the stage to explain why they did in fact invite Chris back.
“We’re glad to have him back…I think people deserve a second chance, you know?…What he’s done and what he’s done to reclaim his career and seemingly the kind of person that he has become makes him — I don’t even want to use the word eligible — but you know, it’s time. [He] has not been on the Grammys for the past few years….because it may have taken us a while to kind of get over the fact that we were the victim of what happened.”
Woah…ok, when I read this I had a very strong reaction which is why I wanted to share it with you all. Personally I am horrified that the Grammy organizers can ‘forgive’ something as horrific as domestic violence. I also think that implying that ‘we’ are the victims of what happened, as opposed to Rihanna, is stupid and ludicrous. I have no time for Chris Brown and what he did sends chills down my spine, but I do know that this issue is complex and filled with shades of gray. There is certainly no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer here. There will be people out there (like Ken) who believe that Chris deserves a “second chance” and that “it’s time” to forgive and move on, which is basically what Ken has said. I also know though that there will be a lot of people that feel VERY differently. Chris beat his girlfriend and was sentenced to five years probation and to stay away from Rihanna. He has apologized publicly and is doing his community service, but domestic violence of any kind is not something our society takes lightly. It is serious and the consequences are devastating and far reaching.
A lot of people were disappointed that he performed at the Grammys for this reason. Country Singer Miranda Lambert tweeted after the show, “Chris Brown twice? I don’t get it…He beat on a girl. Not cool that we act like that didn’t happen.”
Of course I know there are people out there on both sides of the argument,it’s a hard one. Do you think that Chris should have been invited to perform at the Grammys this year?
I don’t want to comment on forgiving Chris Brown or whether not Chris Brown deserved a Grammy. I don’t think a constant three year rehash of past events should be the focus right now,before jumping down my throat, let me explain why.. I do want to comment on the “rumors” of him and Rihanna rekindling their friendship/romance/working relationship – whatever it may be. Reps for Chris Brown have stated that not everyone was required to sign a NDA at Rihanna’s bday party, just those working or taking pics/video. So,he was there. Now unless (although very unlikely) he was invited completely out of the blue after three years of not speaking or having any contact with her at all, I think we can safely say these two have been in contact for at least some amount of time. A year? Who knows maybe less, maybe more. For those two to go through the hassle of NDAs to spend time together at a private party and to have possibly recorded a song together, speaks to the importance they feel towards staying in each others lives. It would be my hope that if they do choose to again become involved romantically (if they aren’t already )that they will seek counseling and that neither of them will commit any act of violence against the other. That is my hope. But, if you can step away from the lynch mob mentality for two seconds and consider that if any further abuse were to happen,because of this constant Chris Brown is the devil commentary, SHE would most likely never report it in fear of the world wide collective “we told you so”. I find their attempts at concealing their present relationship, whatever that may be, to be an indication of that. I don’t think as it has been stated here over and over that Chris Brown is very concerned about redeeming himself to YOU or I, he is however working to redeem himself to her and that may be all we will ever get to see. Although many of you are not, I am personally ok with that. Hating CB will not cure domestic violence and if you haven’t noticed, he seems to be getting by, getting the girl and getting a Grammy despite the hate. Watching someone you hate succeed is infuriating, no doubt. Just my thoughts, but like I said, I hope they are able to grow past this and do what makes them happy. Also- I found Miranda Lambert’s “needs to be put back in his place” comment horribly racist and offensive. Then to insinuate he should listen to her song which insinuates that violence cures violence in an attempt to speak out about her hatred of violence????
well said. couldn’t agree more.
i LOVE miranda lambert — she’s one of my biggest girl crushes and i felt the same way in terms of her comments leaning in the direction of racism.