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 28 June

By valeskas

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Chris Brown should stay away from all these kind of things, he had his time and messed it up. He was crying only for himself. Typical bad boy, when caught cry, it shows you what kind of "man" he is. I know he is not the first one and he want be the last one, but a woman beater once, will also be a woman beater later on.Because if they would fight with a man, they get there behinds kicked, so they fight or beat a woman.

By Samantha

Who are we too judge? The public is so quick to point and destroy. Yes, what happen was wrong, but there are two sides not just her side. He has suffered a long enough. Chris, I love you and think you did a fabulous job last night and NO it was not for show or a stunt. Keep God first and he will order your footsteps. We can't wait to see what you have in store for us :)

By Patricia

Who knows if he was sincere or not? At least he tried.
The whole show was bangin'.
Eminem rocked the mic.

By Slash

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I wonder if you threw jada smith & chris brown against a blackboard,which one woud stick the longest !

By me

@mo its gonna be a big deal. yeah he is not the first nor last but he is a public figure, with admirers, and as a public figure he needs to be much, more careful. Im glad he got so much negative publicity. He deserved it.

By eric

hates what he sees in the mirror

By darla rondo

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my goodness slash...what is this 2010, an you are writing foolishness like that.get over yourself you need a hug!!! to say the things you do just makes me want to laugh at you yet i feel pity. open your eyes you have a black president now. for you to say uneducated blacks and make a mockery of haiti is pitiful.we all have to stand and be judged in the end. i hope you are ready for your verdict in the end. in spite of yourself be blessed!!!

By jane

SOYA. You have learned your EBONICS quite well. I have cut/pasted your disgusting remarks to send to everyone I know. This is what is known as reverse discrimination at its worse! You must be one who enjoys being knocked around and then have sex with the fool who did it. You are a disgrace to the human race.

By Deanna Raenett

people need to leave Chris Brown alone and let him move on already.
Doesnt the bible say "those without sin, cast the first stone." If it
was you in that situation, you'd want people to forgive you. Can we
concentrait on how talented he is. Nobody is perfect, and we all do
things that are wrong, but aint nobody ready to throw you all to the
dogs. So dont do it to Chris.

By New York

Maybe the song Man In The Mirror has special meaning to Chris. Maybe it mirrors his own life. I really think he could have been sincere when performing that particular song. Hope I'm right. People can & do change you know.

By Quan

funny how you can quote the Bible and call names at the same time. whatever happened to judge not, lest ye be judged? some people. sweep around your own front door, before sweeping around someone elses..

By Erica

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People cried for Michael Jackson when he was alive, at all is concerts. He was jump out the floor and stand perfectly still for a whole minute....and fans would be losing their minds crying. You knew when Michael died there would be crying. Michael had fans in Romania crying at his concerts...so why shouldn't Chris cry, that is his biggest Idol. Besides, whatever happened is between Rihanna, Chris, and the Lord. Anyway, she is from the Islands, she gave as good as she got..or she almost did

By jenesis227

He never even got the slightest bit emotional about what he did to Rihanna.

By tiona

1st off his talent speaks for its self, second what happened has nothing to do with him as a entertainer its his personal life I dont know him personally so i cant judge him personally but I can judge the fact that he is a super star and is meant to entertain people chis and rihanna got into it plenty of times before that night we just didnt get to see it they are human like us all and have relationship issues they are not perfect and as for him being sincere yes 100% people change people grow and we have to respect that...one more thing once we stop feeding into the negative and listen to the positive there will be no more media think about it!

By David

we are all waiting for WET - now that ABC , NBC, CBS, FOX And over a hundred other Cable and Satellite channels broadcast all the "black programs" - we will not eliminate racism until we eliminate ALL racism = think about it.......

By mycuteshoes

wow all... i am neither God nor am i perfect so i won't judge chris brown but i will say this "to all of you that have responded with certainty about a person you do not know, nor have you had any inside story except for what the media has feed you - shame on you. i truly hope that you never find yourself i need - it is not for me to say if chris was genuine, only for me to make sure i don't fall off the path, at all time treat people the way i would want to be treated and stay humble because it is "never me, never never never, until it is you... it is me" it's okay to despise the act of violence but to condemn to a life of misery, how dare you... how dare any of us. everyone has hung chris but no one has mentioned the violence the Rihanna bestowed upon him first... as wrong as chris was, we can not downplay that Rihanna hit him several times, punching him in the face while driving and bit him first...

By DETRA FISHER

DANG PEOPLE GET A GRIP. THE MAN IS HUMAN HE MADE A MISTAKE. NOONE IS PERFECT. THE MAN WAS IN PAIN THE MAN HE LOOKED UP TO DIES AND HE WAS NOT AT THE ORIGINAL TRIBUTE AND THIS WAS HIS FIRST TIME PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MJ AND HE WAS TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER. DAMN DONT YOU HAVE A HEART O I FORGOT YOU ALL ARE PERFECT. NOT. ITS OK CHRIS GOD WILL MAKE AWAY FOR YOU AND YOU WILL RISE ABOVE ALL THIS NEGATIVE HIGH SCHOOL CHATTER.

By Vonnie

Nothing but theatrics to make headlines! Disgusting! Get a REAL job, Chris Brown!

By Joan

The article said he dissed Taylor Swift at the MTV Awards, but wasn't that Kanye West who jumped on the stage took the mike away from her and said Beyonce should have won it, and poor Beyonce didn't know a darn thing about what he was going to do. And wasn't it Chris Brown who admittedly attacked his then girfriend Rihanna...just asking cause I'm confused

By bill

From W hite E ntertainment T elevision "WET"

Of course it was real tears and agony..not about MJ, but about all the millions he lost from beating up his GF...Everyone has known women who can really push men towards violence..but real men walk away, and even run if you have too....CB didnt do that, and lacks self control and I believe his apologies were not really sincere..people can make decisions to change certain things...He can say and act as he wants...we will know 10 years from now...Bill view from WET, thanks for reading!

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