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Singer Kelly Rowland caused quite a Twitterstorm on Sunday when she told booing audience members to "chill out" as she accepted an award on behalf of Chris Brown at the American Music Awards.
When Rowland revealed Brown had won Favorite Male R&B Artist, the crowd audibly shared their disappointment in the result.
As Rowland began to accept the award for Brown, who was not in attendance, she paused:
"Excuse me. Chill out."
She then continued:
"I want to tell Chris thank you so much for making great R&B music."
"And I want to tell him thank you for being an incredible performer."
"I'll take this award, bring it to you."
She finished:
"I love you. Congratulations."
You can watch the speech below.
Chris Brown Wins Favorite Male R&B Artist | AMAs 2022youtu.be
Brown's presence in the industry has been controversial since 2009 when he pleaded guilty to assaulting then girlfriend Rihanna as part of a plea bargain.
He has since been accused of other cases of violence against women, stalking, and harassment. Several cases were plea bargained, reduced to fines or dismissed pending Brown's completion of rehab.
Though his career was initially impacted in 2009, Brown continued to successfully record new music.
Some on Twitter shared their disappointment in Rowland defending Brown.
Shame on Kelly Rowland for supporting an abuser
— d #FireCashman (@someyanksfan) November 21, 2022
embarassing. chris brown is not only an abuser but also a colorist who doesn't even like dark skinned black women, he would have never done the same for Kelly Rowland. WTH? it must be drugs. #AMAs #KellyRowland
— Jane (@Anderson_Jane) November 21, 2022
Being wise is knowing that he is multiple timed physically stronger than she was, and should have taken less brutal attempts at stopping her. Maybe leaving. He had that woman's face looking like a busted up watermelon. Remember how he looked?
— RandomThoughts (@RandomTea4Free) November 21, 2022
His flowers? Lol he beats women. He needs a restraining order and some prison time.
— yeah No (@HOWDYHORANGERJO) November 21, 2022
even if we ignore the Rhianna case because obviously she does too, doesn’t this dude have a rap sheet a mile long, including abusing multiple women?
— Albert Dalton (@AlbertDalton420) November 21, 2022
Kelly, you oughta be ashamed of yourself for defending an abuser.
— 😺😾Terie Milburn 😼😽 (@MilburnTerie) November 21, 2022
However, others applauded Rowland for addressing the crowd and agreed Brown deserved his award.
You go Kelly! Chris deserves it and even more low key 🙏🏼
— Guadalupe (@lupitas_8) November 21, 2022
Glad someone saying it, folk don’t seem to want to give dude his flowers but he’s HIM and it’s truly sad he gets treated like he does
— J.Hopp💯✊🏾🏁🖤🖤 (@J__H0pp) November 21, 2022
I loveeeee her! She said chill out and everybody got quiet🤣🤣🤣 period
— t-money (@Eatmytacooo) November 21, 2022
She did the right thing as someone who is in the music business and knows the impact Chris brown made over the last 15 years. How y’all mad she gave him flowers for making good music ? 💀
— TOP OF THE MORNING🤠 (@D_Solo702) November 21, 2022
Exactly the topic is music .. they’re giving out awards for you’re talent & success you’ve had in the business not deducted points on the bad parts of life you lived
— LxrdEvol (@Lodyevol) November 21, 2022
You guys really need to separate Chris Brown the man from Chris Brown the artiste and performer
— Somtoo 👓🌈 (@Maazi_Kelvin) November 21, 2022
She separated his music career from how he is as a person. That’s what y’all need to realize
— Shihab Hardy (@shihabhardy) November 21, 2022
Brown was set to perform a Michael Jackson tribute at the awards, but said in an Instagram post his appearance was canceled, possibly explaining his absence from the event.
The tribute was to be in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Jackson's Thriller album.