Why did the AMAs cancel Chris Brown’s Michael Jackson tribute? Fans are looking for some answers from the American Music Awards (AMAs) after news broke that they canceled Chris Brown’s performance, which included a tribute to late pop icon and legend Michael Jackson.
Brown uploaded a seven-minute video giving fans insight on what his performance would have looked like if the AMAs didn’t pull it.
The singer’s post featured him dancing to his popular hit “Under The Influence” which smoothly transitioned into a medley of a few of Michael Jackson’s popular songs such as “Billie Jean,” “Wanna be Startin’ Somethin,” and ended with “Thriller.” All three songs are a part of the king of pop’s sixth studio album, “Thriller.”
The album, which won Jackson numerous awards including two Grammys, recently reached its 40th anniversary, and it seemed as if Brown was going to honor this milestone during his performance on stage Sunday, Nov. 20.
Brown captioned his insta video, “U SERIOUS? [facepalm emoji]”
He made a second comment underneath his post stating, “WOULD’VE been the ama performance but they cancelled me for reasons unknown [shrug emoji]”
Many fans as well as other celebs showed their disappointment under his post, noting how amazing it would’ve been to see his performance.
Self-proclaimed King of R&B singer Jacquees commented, “Stop playing with Chris Brown bru.”
Rapper Dreezy also commented, “Y’all blacked out!!! Def would’ve been the best performance there!”
Other comments included, “No seriously it’s their loss!!! Because no one’s performance is going to be as good as yours would’ve been”
“When We” singer Tank went to the length of uploading a video calling out the music award show asking them why they canceled Brown’s performance.
“Dear @amas before we jump to conclusions we’d like an answer on why you canceled our brother @chrisbrownofficial #TeamBreezy,” he wrote as his caption.
This wouldn’t have been Brown’s first time doing a dance tribute to Michael Jackson. In 2010 the then-21-year-old performed “Man In the Mirror” at the BET Awards and broke down crying over his idol’s passing in 2009.
Some fans have equated Brown’s star quality to Jackson’s, which he notably shut down. However, singer Akon recently renewed the debate by saying Brown had the potential to reach a legacy as big as Jackson’s.
Why did the AMAs cancel Chris Brown’s Michael Jackson tribute?
A rep for Dick Clark Productions, which produces the award show, told Puck News, “Live shows change all the time, it’s the nature of the business. Unfortunately, the AMAs didn’t come together as we couldn’t align on the performance, to no fault of Chris Brown.”
Many critics also point to Brown’s complicated past. In 2009, 19-year-old Brown was arrested and pleaded guilty to assaulting then-girlfriend, pop sensation Rihanna on the eve of the Grammy Awards. After his hearing in court, Brown was sentenced to five years of probation, ordered to complete 180 days of community service, and ordered to attend anti-domestic violence counseling.
Numerous accounts of violent acts and allegations have not stopped since 2009, for a restraining order was placed against Brown by his ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran in 2017 after she claimed he threatened her.
