Blubbering Chris Brown Steals Show at BET Awards

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 28th 2010 06:01AM

Awards shmawards -- it was all about comebacks and crying at the BET Awards on Sunday night, with Kanye West and Chris Brown leading the charge. For West, it was a triumphant return to the stage after a self-imposed exile since dissing Taylor Swift at last year's MTV Video Music Awards.

But the standout moment of the night came when Brown broke down and blubbered his way through a tribute to his idol, Michael Jackson. Watch Brown starting at the :45 mark:

Brown has been laying low since being sentenced to community service for assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna in early 2009, and recently was denied entry into Great Britain to play a series of concerts there because of his criminal record.

Jermaine Jackson introduced Brown, who came out wearing a fedora and glove and moonwalked his way through 'Billie Jean' without missing a step. Then, as he grabbed a microphone to sing 'Man in the Mirror,' he broke down in tears. His voice cracked, he couldn't sing, and at one point he crumpled to the stage in apparent agony.

Later, he apologized to fans, but for more than messing up the night's performance. "I let you all down before, but I won't do it again. I promise you," Brown said.

But was it for real? As the first tear welled in his eyes, it became impossible not to wonder whether Brown was showing genuine grief over the death of Jackson or whether he was trying to drum up sympathy as he struggles to regain control of his career.

He performed the dance moves to 'Billie Jean' flawlessly and it was only when the slow ballad of 'Man in the Mirror' arrived that he showed any emotion. An LA Times snap poll asked fans what they thought, with 20% saying he was faking. A healthy 39% believed he was sincere. A commenter on MTV News aptly asked, "Was it for real, or was he trying to get attention for being softer? I'm sure he feels bad about Michael's death, but is he just trying to get away from the bad boy image with the crying thing?"

West opened the show with a performance of his new single, 'Power.' Looking defiant in a red suit, shades and a ridiculously big chain around his neck, the rapper powered through the aggressive song while standing atop an erupting volcano set piece.

It was a triumphant comeback for the star, who like Brown has been avoiding the spotlight.

Other highlights included Usher performing 'There Goes My Baby,' Eminem and a choir doing his new single, 'Not Afraid,' and the return of 1980s hitmaker El DeBarge, who blazed back onto the stage to play old hits and the title track from his first new album in 16 years.

Prince received BET's lifetime achievement award. "I'm just so thankful to be a part of this world of music," he said. "Thanks for a wonderful night. I'll never forget it as long as I live."

The BET Awards honor the year's best in music, sports and film in 19 categories. Winners are selected by a voting academy comprised of industry insiders and executives, music journalists and a group of fans randomly selected by BET.com.

► For a full rundown of performances and winners, go to Black Voices.

Tags: BET Awards, Chris Brown

Comments

(655)

Monday 05 July

By Chynna

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No one is trying to be MJ!!! Because EVERYONE knows that there is and always will be one MJ. Jamie Foxx did horrible last year but this it was really good. No one is trying to take the place of MJ...so stop sippin haterade.

Monday 28 June

By Patty

Regardless if you think it was real or not, I thought it was a great performance. It made me cry watching it. I do hope that wasn't "planned", but if it was that is his issue. I enjoyed the clip. Thank you!

By MJ

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LOL That looked so fake.

By Anderson

Man in the mirror is a special song, strong song one that makes us think...l get very sad every time l hear it. For whatever reason Chris blew it - l gon't think for selfish reasons.
Rhianna, oh girl..we know why you got slapped.
Could not step down with your mouth..lt was wrong but Chris has paid his dues and its time to let him move on !!!
To both of you have a great life. Both of you are very talented.

Thursday 01 July

By joan

i love that performace by chris brown and that was the beast performace i have ever seen iam a chris brown fan and i love him it was hard for him to do we all love michael jacksoc michael was just more than a idol to me it just like he was family to me and i get choke up evertime i see michael videos or listen to his music his ledecy is very much alive and he will always be in my heart and the whole family love joan morgan

Tuesday 29 June

By Pattie

LEAVE CHRIS ALONE, HE DID A GOOD JOB I EVEN CRIED WITH HIM. LOVE U CHRIS. STOP HATEN

By whocares

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WHOCARES

By andrea

we do damn it now what

By James

Crying like a little baby. He should be crying in jail for what he did......every other black man in America would. Why not him. He must be the new OJ

By lottie

Not every black man is an OJ you idiot

By PATTIE

WHAT DO OJ GOT TO DO WITH THIS. HE DIDNT KILL ANYONE DO U REMEMBER SCOTT PETTERSON, MICHAEL PETTERSON, MEN WHO KILLS THERE PREGNANT WIFES AND BABY I DIDNT WANT TO GO THERE>>>>>NOW WHAT??

By srsnakes

We all make mistakes. Go ahead and cast the first stone if you want to, but don't you dare call yourself a Christian after you do.

By andrew

Why are you belittle Gays ? Can you not use words that are equal to respecting indiviuals or are you ashame of what you are. Forgive and not JUDGE !!!!!!!!

By dls031568

BARF......... WHAT A DRAMA QUEEN!!!

By susie

I find it interesting that on the night Rihanna won her award, it was that night that Mr. Brown beat her up. It's such a shame that he got such acclaim for his performance last night. Did anyone spoil his night? He's quite an actor.

By Alba

And the bible said take the rafter out of your eyes before you can take it out of someone else eyes. If you do not forgive other of their sins your sin will not be forgiven. GIVE IT UP Already and move on. Only God can read hearts and know if he is sorry or not. Luke 6:37 Stop judging, and you will by no means be judge.

By BeavisMom62

what did the picture of the pelicans have to do with Michael Jackson?

By heather

Please Chris Brown you will NEVERRRRRRRR be the next MJ, nice try but you don't win this time!

By andrea.louis

Heather no he will not be, but Chris brown has his own talents, do you? He payed a tribute to MJ, hello tribute. He wasn't trying to be, go judge yourself.

By JBaer

Meanwhile, if I got physical with my girlfriend (God forbid), I'd be behind bars at the local police precinct.

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