Why We Loved It So Much: Chris Brown had a lot of promise. His tour de force performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, almost exactly two years ago this weekend, had people comparing him to the master Michael Jackson — he even sampled “Billie Jean” as he tore through hits including “Wall to Wall” and “Kiss Kiss.” His swagger and precise footwork during the truly inspired performance substantiated the buzz that he was pop’s next big thing. The routine’s surprise appearance from “Umbrella” girl Rihanna radiated sexual chemistry and crossed over to a real-life romance, and Brown, along with his princess of pop, sat on top of the world and the charts. And then …
Now, Not So Much: Damage control has rarely been so damaging. Brown messed up in a hard-to-forgive way, and he’s somehow made himself look like even more of an ass since his February 2009 domestic-violence arrest. Months after the “incident,” Brown reared his confused little head to offer YouTubed apologies to former girlfriend Rihanna (reeked of insincerity). Then, wearing a little blue bowtie, he seemed mighty regretful (no, not really) during his recent Larry King interview, saying, “When I look at it now, it’s just like, wow, like, I can’t — I can’t believe that — that actually happened. It’s — it just really like took a toll on me. Like, I was just like, wow.” What was really like, wow, were photos of Brown dancing on a tabletop at an L.A. club just hours after he was sentenced to five years probation and six months community service. Two years ago, he was dancing on tabletops at the VMAs; now he’s doing the same thing to celebrate not going to jail.
It’s now confirmed that Brown won’t be performing at the now cancelled tribute Michael Jackson tribute concert (Jermaine was obviously quite desperate for headline(r)s), and Brown laid low at the memorial service for the icon he was once compared to. A lot has changed in the pop world during the last few months, but what’s certain is that Brown’s new single “Changed Man” is total crap. And tell us this: How do you come back from Oprah publicly defaming you? You don’t, Chris Brown, you don’t.
LAST WEEK’S DUNZO: Holly Madison’s Plastic Surgery TMI
