Chris Brown Is Giving Back, Whether You Like It or Not

By PopEater Staff Posted May 3rd 2010 04:59PM

Exclusive: Chris Brown has his eyes set on helping people, no matter what the public or media thinks. The singer (who turns the-big-21 on May 5) is looking to raise money for both his hometown community of Richmond, Virginia, as well as the earthquake victims of Haiti with the "Virginia Stand Up! A Call to Action" concert he's organizing and headlining on May 15. Brown spoke to PopEater about what led to his charitable ways, and despite what many in the media think, there's no ulterior motive behind the concert. "It's not for PR or press," Brown tells PopEater, admitting that when the media and others say it's just a ploy to revamp his image following his assault arrest, "it hurts because it's from my heart."

What prompted you to look into doing a charity concert?

I did a Walk for Relief for Naomi Campbell, and I always wanted to do something in my community. Richmond and virginia isn't the wealthiest place, there's a lot of poverty and people struggling, so I always wanted to give back from my community. Doing Naomi's event really triggered me to continue to do something that would benefit Haiti as well, but definitely give back to my community.

What has the response in Virginia been like?

The response has been incredible. I still live out here, so people come up to me if I'm in the store and tell 'I think it's great what you're doing.' It's going to be incredible. Everybody's happy about it.

Do you think people have forgotten about the Haiti tragedy already?

I think once something is urgent, people are more prone to help, but over time it lessens the concern from the general people. I feel like always keeping it fresh and stressing the issue is great to continue to do.

Do you think younger celebrities like yourself do enough for charity?

Kids are rebellious and a lot more concerned with their own personal lives than anybody elses, so I can understand why a lot of younger artists tend not to do that until they get older. But I've done everything... been a pop star, traveled the world, movies, the whole nine, so I feel like as a young guy, so many people look up to me. Kids, adults, parents -- from my position, it's about helping out. Why not? I've got everything else. Everyone's been supportive of me, so why not help other people in need who need it more than I do?

Does it bother you that some in the media question your motives for things like this, claiming it's more PR than good will?

To be honest, it does. I'm human, just like the next person. I could care less about them wanting to participate, because it's something I'm going to do to help my community. But When it's a question of 'Oh, is he doing this to gain fans or get his image back, it hurts. When you do something genuinely from your heart, it's not for PR or press. If that was the case, I'd try to get Obama or somebody. 'Come out, please come out!' [Laughs] But it hurts because it's from my heart and I'm from Virginia and want to help my community out. I'm always here, and I always want to help out. Even with the Haiti stuff I'm doing... I wanted to do my own so that some of the proceeds would benefit them.

This weekend you Tweeted that if you didn't love your fans and music so much, you'd give up. What was that in response to?

I'm just saying in general. A lot of stuff as a guy, it's a hard world. Not to say it's bad, but as far as my passion for music and my fans, that's what drives me. The whole industry itself is fabricated to me. My drive is my music, what I love to do, entertaining, being creative, dancing... but the number one thing that's kept me strong through everything is my fans. From grandmothers to children to kids, they make the support that much greater. I appreciate that, and that's what I meant by it.

And has Twitter been a big help when it comes to support?

Yeah, it does. Twitter is a great outlet. People tend to hate on twitter and say it depreciates an artists value. As a young guy, the new age of being internet savvy and being able to keep in contact or see what your favorite person is doing and connect with them all makes it sweeter because you feel a personal connection. Otherwise, you only see them if they come to your city and do a show. You get to interact with them, and who knows, sometimes they might reply or retweet and you see they're really hearing you. We see our fans.

So once this charity concert is done, what's next?

I have a charity I work with called Best Buddies. A lot of the proceeds from my concerts goes to that organization that deals with disabilities and kids with autism. I've been working with them for more than a year and a half. It's been great. Otherwise, I have a tour, I'm going to Brazil, then overseas for a while and then hopefully shoot a couple more videos. Then we have a movie coming out in August called 'The Takers.'

Ticket sales from the 'Stand Up!' concert will benefit The American Red Cross, the Greater Richmond Chapter's local efforts and their continued relief in Haiti, as well as The Central Virginia Food Bank. Concertgoers can even bring non-perishable food items to be donated.

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Chris Brown Snapshots

Entertainer Chris Brown sings the national anthem prior to the start of a WBA welterweight boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Shane Mosley, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Chris Brown Snapshots

LAS VEGAS - MAY 01: Singer Chris Brown performs the national anthem before the Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Brown

Chris Brown Snapshots

LAS VEGAS - MAY 01: Singer Chris Brown attends the Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Brown

Chris Brown Snapshots

FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2010 file photo, Chris Brown models at Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief - Haiti fashion benefit, shown during Fashion Week in New York. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, file)

Chris Brown Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 02: Chris Brown (R) and Tyga attend a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Brown

Chris Brown Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 02: Chris Brown attends a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Brown

Chris Brown Snapshots

Tags: chris brown

Comments

(24)

Monday 03 May

By victoria

Vote down Vote up Report this

IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.LIFE IS SHORT.

Wednesday 05 May

By cheech

@ acemakr6

that happened more than a year ago, let it gooooooooooooooo. They are both moving on with their lives.

By Charlotte

Get on with life Chris. Put the past behind you. BUT your hometown is Tappahannock, Virginia

By manx

oh please axl rose was ten times worse than this guy and he's still... ok never mind

By Kayebaye

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Your fans are SO PROUD of you CHRIS!!! We are here to support you 10000%

Tuesday 04 May

By optimusBreezy on twitter

I'm so proud of Chris :] TeamBreezy has been by his side since the beginning and we'll be there til the end

By OhLori

From the beginning he was someone to be proud of, in the middle he screwed up and you were still proud of him? You must love being beat on.

By rdora30

Good for you Chris. I always said there's something about that R girl that I can't put my finger on. I don't condone with what you did, but I understand. You're heading in the right direction. Hang in there! Things happen for a reason.

By maria b

I miss hearing his music on the radio, he is sooo talented!

By Me

YAY! Good for Chris! So glad that he's staying strong and not letting everything break him. Just keep on growing, maturing and learning.

If you're damned if you do AND damned if you don't, DO YOU and ENJOY LIFE as best you can.

By peace

You are doing a good thing Chris, keep it up

By Janelle

I am a fan and i understand what you are going through. Hang in there Chris, we will always be there for you through thick and thin. You have fans that love you. You have learnt from you're mistake and you are taking action from it. We hope you continue walking in the right way and keep positivity in you! GOd has bigger plans for you. Hang in there! We love you.

By amber.

i love this man so much,
i think he deserves a break already!
how old was he when the incident happened?
um... 20
i think he's aware of his mistake, very aware,
the media don't help either!
He does wrong... the media are on him,
he tweets something on twitter (totally fine and harmless)
He does something constructive, positive..
THE MEDIA STILL WANT TO BASH HIM?!!
wow.
He's almost 21 now, we need Chris back on top...
Where for sure, he belongs.
God is with him anyway, team breezy have got him!
- oh and the interview was GREAT

By themeeker

He's giving back whether I like it or not? Well, I DON'T like it. Whatever it is he's giving back he can just keep for all I care. He's go NOTHING I want, and he won't be getting any of MY dollars. He may be giving back, but I won't be giving to him...whether he likes it or not.

By Lori

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Agreed, he's a loser.

By J. Ryan

Dude, just get on with your career because conversations like these about all the charities you support just feel like forced public relations... you can't trick people in to supporting you again, it takes time.

By Ms Linda

thats your business hater we chris brown fans got his back whether you like it or not give charlie sheen your money because he is a loser he shot a woman beat all of his wives chris had a fight with his xgirlfreind somebody was going to get bruise you get bruise when you in a fight chris hold head up and do your thing superstar because thats what you are a SUPERSTAR from your adopted momo Ms Linda from new orleans

By who cares yea right

where are these people that look up to you? in a cave. U just butchered the NA at a WWfight after beating a women. Who does that? Its like MIke Vick opening at the Westminister Dog Show, why would he do that? Im glad the interviewer didnt ask any hard questions to set him off. Was there a record player near? Oh good cause he would of insisted that his music be played r he would have cursed u out and walked out. so a day later this article cleanes that a way? do us all a favor and go away, if your doing charity do, why the speech & press. for the concert ok but the rest please. And nobody is tryin to see that wack a*z*z* movie your in. VOMIT at your face

By winli

tiffany jewelry
Tiffany

Sets
links of london charms

Thursday 06 May

By Andie

Thanks PopEater for doing this interview. I loved reading it!
And I am a big supporter and fan of Chris Brown.

Thank you so much.

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