Grammy Exec. Producer Says ‘It’s Time’ Chris Brown Returned
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The Grammy Awards are this weekend, and Grammy Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich has confirmed to ABC News Radio that Chris Brown, who has three nominations this year, will be one of the many performers on the show. “We’re glad to have him back,” said Ehrlich.
This wouldn’t be particularly notable, except for the fact that Brown has essentially been blacklisted from the show following his assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna right before the 2009 Grammy Awards. Both performers pulled out of appearing on the show that night, leaving the producers scrambling to fill the time.
Explaining the decision to allow Brown back on the show, Ehrlich told ABC News Radio, “I think people deserve a second chance, you know. If you’ll note, he has not been on the Grammys for the past few years and it may have taken us a while to kind of get over the fact that we were the victim of what happened.”
After the assault, Brown was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to stay away from Rihanna, including at entertainment events at which they were both appearing. Since then, the singer has apologized numerous times, undergone counseling and performed community service. Brown and Rihanna have also reportedly reconciled. She was quoted as saying last year, “It’s incredible to see how he pulled out of it the way he did … I really like the music he’s putting out … I’ve always been a fan … I’m really excited to see the breakthrough he’s had in his career. I would never wish anything horrible for him … I never have.”
It’s for that reason, apparently, that Ehrlich is comfortable with allowing Brown on the show. “What he’s done and what he’s done to reclaim his career and seemingly the kind of person that he has become makes him — I don’t even want to use the word eligible — but you know, it’s time,” he said.
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Is it just me or do articles like this come up every few months for Chris Brown? Before the MTV VMAs, before the American Music Awards, last year when he was nominated for Grammys. Each time an award show producer talks to a new organization and he or she says “It’s time.”
His comeback was pretty much official 2 years ago with his major smash song Deuces. And then when he had a number 1 album, his first #1 last year in March. He repeatedly gets nominated for these awards because he’s ridiciously talented. Even those who dislike him know he’s talented. And it is for that reason that he has had a comeback. Even his Ex is a fan of his music. And recording artists who shunned him 3 years ago are now wanting to work with him again. Something he’s talked about in interviews – how all these stars who hated him now want him on their albums
After awhile these type of articles are unnecessary. You either like him or you don’t. He’s not affected. If those celebrity net worth websites are true, he’s worth tens of millions of dollars. He clearly has a large fanbase. How many “comeback” articles will there be? Until he’s 30? Enough.
I’m looking forward to the Grammys no matter who performs.
Posted by: Marshal | February 7, 2012, 11:58 am 11:58 am
I never care for chris’ brown or his music. He still has A LOT of growing up to do & by the way he carries himself I don’t think he wants to or cares…sad
Posted by: KeKe | February 7, 2012, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
You do what you will Chris is trying to be good he need stay clear of Rihanna cause that bad thing for them a train recker
Posted by: jb51294 | February 7, 2012, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
I find it unconscionable that ANY indivdual or organization would get behind a public campaign to embrace a woman beater. Lets call it like it is and Brown is spoiled little brat who obviously thinks he is exempt from the law, and decency. Because he has talent? Or is it because no one will set this young man straight about what is acceptable and is intolerable. This kind of monster starts in a home with abuse, and while I feel sad this has been his background, I will never find his actions “past their sell by date” and welcome his talent ever again. Period. Had he shown any sign of remorse for anything other that the effect on his career, I might feel otherwise, he made his, now I hope he chokes in it.
Posted by: Tony Johnson | February 7, 2012, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
Chris brown is the best performer on the planet so im glad he’s going to be there.
Posted by: Diana | February 7, 2012, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
I think its wonderful that someone as big in the entertainment business as Ehrilich is acknowledging Chris Brown’ s determination and growth over the last three years – and his talent ‘being missed’ on the Grammys. He is saying, I hear MOST people saying – lets put that tragedy of 3 years ago to bed now. Let these young artists – Rihanna and Chris – continue to grow and soar. This thing has come full circle. Grammys 2012 will be so special.
Haters – rant and rave all you want. The tide has turned.
Posted by: chianne | February 7, 2012, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Definitely is time! Cant wait to see him perform. Now I have a reason to tune in.
Posted by: Misty | February 7, 2012, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
I agree with him, its definitely time. Chris and Rihanna are in good terms, past it and life keeps going. I’ll be looking forward to his performances.
Posted by: kathy | February 7, 2012, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
I will not watch now, what a slap in the face to their female audience.
Posted by: mnmom1980 | February 7, 2012, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm
So an ordinary man who beats up his girlfriend goes to jail and is rejected by society. Chris Brown beats up Rhianna and embraced by the music world. The music industry is cesspool of immorality. Why would any woman like him? Why would anybody like him?
Posted by: Coffee man | February 7, 2012, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm
Horse hockey, all that crappy music needs to be stopped.
Posted by: oldwolf49 | February 8, 2012, 2:15 am 2:15 am
Did the producer of the Grammys really say that the award show was the victim? Really? How dumb are you Mr. Ehrlick? Did your show get beaten black and blue? Show some respect to the real victim.
Posted by: LIlyputt | February 8, 2012, 5:19 am 5:19 am
“it may have taken us a while to kind of get over the fact that we were the victim of what happened.”
Seriously?
Seriously?
SERIOUSLY??
That they would allow onto their show a convicted domestic abuser (who has shown basically zero real remorse or growth; wtf are you commenters talking about) is disgusting, but that quote is UNREAL.
Posted by: Kel | February 12, 2012, 4:33 am 4:33 am
As much as I like who will be presenting and many people who will be performing, this makes me not want to watch. Chris Brown has shown zero remorse and still gets angry when asked about Rihanna as if he were the victim. And no, people not being able to see Chris perform is not comparable to Chris beating up his girlfriend and not learning anything from it or really paying for it.
Posted by: Shonaille | February 12, 2012, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
“taken us a while to kind of get over the fact that we were the victim of what happened”
Honestly? This is disgusting. How was anyone but his girl friend the victim.
He doesn’t deserve a second chance. It’s sad the public continues to fund his career when he’s the sort of man that would beat up someone else out of anger. It will never be ok. What he did was bad and deserve some form of real punishment.
Posted by: MLeon | February 12, 2012, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
“I think people deserve a second chance, you know. If you’ll note, he has not been on the Grammys for the past few years and it may have taken us a while to kind of get over the fact that we were the victim of what happened.”
What an ignorant thing to say. Ken Ehrlich should really think about what he’s going to say before he lets something so idiotic get out of his mouth. He was definitely not the victim here, and neither were the Grammys.
Posted by: Thomas | February 12, 2012, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
“it may have taken us a while to kind of get over the fact that we were the victim of what happened.” —— Ken Ehrlich needs to send an apology to Rihanna and ALL victims of domestic violence for that very uneducated remark. Chris Brown has not really suffered much at all for his onging violent behaviour and very flippant remarks since this happened. Maybe The Grammys waited for two years to have him back but he has been on plenty of other award/tv shows acting like HE is the victim.
Posted by: theo | February 12, 2012, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
I bet there won’t be backlash over his comment, too. Or, if there is, it will come from Chris Brown fans who will insist that *he* is the real victim in all of this. Just like when Usher had to publicly apologize for commenting in a non-approving manner on the situation a few years ago. He had to apologize for speaking out against Chris Brown, the man who beat his girlfriend. What world is this we live in, and how do I find a new one?
Posted by: L | February 12, 2012, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm
I am truly appalled at Mr. Ehrlich’s statement and at the fact that CBS has agreed to allow Chris Brown to perform. Unfortunately, they are caving in to the will of the craven masses to increase the bottom line, sending a really clear message to the youth of America about the worth and value accorded to women in 2012.
Posted by: Maura | February 12, 2012, 9:55 pm 9:55 pm
It’s disgusting to me that any spokesperson for the Grammys thinks that the Grammys were the VICTIM of Chris Brown hitting Rhianna.
Moreover, how the hell is this seen as a “comeback”? Usher and Jay-Z got more flak for making positive comments about Rhianna than Chris Brown EVER got for beating Rhianna.
Posted by: Katie | February 13, 2012, 12:01 am 12:01 am
Erlich’s statement is motivated by how greed. Erlich’s attempt to “make it ok” for people to ignore what Chris Brown did is NOT OK, nor should people forget what he did to Rihanna. The lack of remorse by Chris Brown should be a wake of call. As far as I am concern should Brown kill someone next time, Erlich will have blood on his hands.
Posted by: Jackie | February 14, 2012, 3:29 am 3:29 am
I can’t believe that they are trying to insinuate that somehow the GRAMMY’s are a victim of Chris Brown abusing Rihanna. Is this a joke?
Posted by: Anne | March 8, 2012, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm