Bobby Brown

Bobby Brown Says Goodbye To Whitney Houston On New Song

17 May 2012 13:50:17 EDT

Houston's ex-husband debuts 'Don't Let Me Die' during a visit to the 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.'
By Nadeska Alexis

Since Whitney Houston passed away in February, her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, has only opened up about her death in one interview on the "Today" show, but during a Wednesday night appearance on the "Tonight Show With Jay Leno," the R&B singer paid tribute to Houston with a new song.

"Don't Let Me Die" finds Brown musing on mistakes he made during his relationship with Houston. "I didn't realize that every breath I took was from you," he sang, dressed in black, "You were my air."

The new song will be featured on Brown's upcoming album The Masterpiece, set to debut on June 5. It will be his first album since 1997's Forever. "I guess I [messed] up pretty bad/ I didn't know who you were/ I didn't know what we had," Brown continued to sing. "Now I'm stuck living in the past/ Trying to get the pieces back/ But I guess now you're gone."

Brown's tumultuous marriage to Houston was well-documented on their reality TV series "Being Bobby Brown," which showed the couple's difficult battle with drugs. When Houston died, she left behind 19-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, who reportedly has a strained relationship with her dad.

During his visit to the "Today" show in April, Brown defended himself against constant accusations that he was responsible for Houston's drug use, saying she was using drugs before they met in 1991. "I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs at all," Brown told "Today" host Matt Lauer."It's just, it's just unexplainable, how one could [say that I] got her addicted to drugs. I'm not the reason she's gone."

Houston's family — including daughter Bobbi Kristina, brother Gary Houston and sister-in-law Patricia Houston — are set to appear in an upcoming Lifetime reality series.

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Bobby Brown Didn't Get Whitney Houston 'Addicted' To Drugs

30 Apr 2012 17:34:02 EDT

'I'm not the reason she's gone,' singer's ex-husband tells Matt Lauer in upcoming 'Today' show chat.
By Kara Warner

Their relationship may have been tumultuous and their struggles with substance abuse well-documented, but Bobby Brown insists that he is not the reason ex-wife Whitney Houston started doing drugs, a habit that she battled right up until her death in February.

"I'm not the one that got Whitney on drugs, at all," Brown told "Today" host Matt Lauer in an interview set to air on Wednesday and Thursday. "I'm not the reason she's gone."

Brown admitted that when he learned of his ex's death, he was saddened to hear she had started using cocaine again.

"I was hurt ... because, you know, me being off of narcotics for the last seven years — I felt that she was, you know, I didn't know she was struggling with it still. But at the same time, you know — listen, it's a hard fight," he said.

Regarding his involvement in Houston's drug use, Brown said that drugs were a part of Houston's life before they met in 1991. "I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs at all," he insisted. "It's just, it's just unexplainable, how one could [say that I] got her addicted to drugs. I'm not the reason she's gone."

The New Edition member said that Houston seemed to have "a glow about her" the last time he saw her over dinner at a restaurant with their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, which was about a week before she died.

"She just looked like she was in a good place," he said.

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Bobby Brown Arrested On Suspicion Of DUI

26 Mar 2012 17:42:42 EDT

TMZ reports Brown was taken into custody Monday afternoon in California.
By James Montgomery

Bobby Brown was arrested Monday afternoon (March 26) in California on suspicion of driving under the influence, just days after the findings of an official investigation into the death of his former wife, singer Whitney Houston, was released.

According to TMZ, Brown was pulled over in Reseda, California, at 12:20 p.m. PT for allegedly driving while talking on a cell phone. It's not known what substance police believe Brown had been using before getting behind the wheel, but law-enforcement sources told the website the singer was taken into custody at a Van Nuys jail and is awaiting bail.

As of press time, MTV News was awaiting comment from Brown's rep on the report.

Brown already has a DUI conviction on his record after pleading guilty to a 1996 arrest in Georgia. He served eight days in jail as a result of the charge.

In the days following Houston's death last month, Brown paid tribute to his ex onstage in Connecticut, telling an audience that he wanted to "give blessings to my ex-wife, Whitney Houston. I love you," before pointing toward the sky.

Those comments came just hours after Brown left Houston's funeral in Newark, New Jersey, where he had a disagreement with security inside the service. Brown would subsequently release a statement saying he was angered by security's insistence that he and his children repeatedly move seats and their refusal to let him see his and Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

Earlier this month, TMZ reported that Bobbi Kristina was contemplating changing her name "because of her association with her father" and wanted to now be known as Kristina Houston.

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Bobby Brown

Bobby Brown 'Blesses' Whitney Houston At Show

19 Feb 2012 11:13:13 EST

Brown honors ex-wife at Connecticut show hours after seating spat at New Jersey funeral.
By Ralphie Aversa

MONTVILLE, CONNECTICUT — Hours after the world paid its final goodbye to Whitney Houston in New Jersey, ex-husband Bobby Brown paid his alongside bandmates New Edition before a sold-out crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Brown's remarks came just hours after the singer's rapid departure from Houston's funeral services at Newark, New Jersey's New Hope Baptist church.

Brown sat out the night's first three songs, then took the stage for "Hit Me Off." He acknowledged the fallen icon before "Jealous Girl."

"I want to give blessings to my ex-wife, Whitney Houston. I love you," Brown said, pointing towards the sky. "I want to give a lot of blessings to my kids, my fiancée, my brothers, and all of you."

Brown and his New Edition band-mates powered through a set that lasted almost two hours, including hits from Brown's 1988 solo smash, "My Prerogative," to Bell Biv DeVoe's 1990 hit, "Poison."

"I lost three great people in my life, in the last year," Brown told the audience of over 7,000 before the sextet wrapped with "Home Again." "But, nothing makes me happier than to be right here, right now."

Some New Edition fans, like Lisa Pollock of Bridgeport, Conn., were simply happy just to see Houston's ex-husband in the building.

"[New Edition] just held it together. I can't imagine what today was like for them," Pollock said after the concert. "For them to come and do a show for all of us, definitely exceeded my expectations."

Serita Outlow of Norwich, Conn. also attended the show unsure if Brown would make it.

"I think he did an excellent job considering what he must have been feeling," she said. "I don't know what he went through with his voice today but I think he still pulled it off."

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Whitney Houston Memorialized By Stars, Family, Friends At Childhood Church

18 Feb 2012 17:47:42 EST

'Whitney, you are the only one who could bring us all together,' New Hope Baptist Church pastor says in Newark, New Jersey.
By Tomika L. Anderson

The whole world went to church on Saturday (February 18) to say goodbye to one of the greatest singers of all time. Attendees of all ages, religious beliefs and walks of life, gathered to celebrate superstar singer Whitney Elizabeth Houston, a native of Newark, New Jersey. The state's governor, Chris Christie, flew flags across New Jersey at half mast in her honor.

The 48-year-old music icon died on February 11, a day before the Grammy Awards, in Los Angeles. She is expected to be buried on Sunday. (The official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.)

Despite the singer's well-documented struggles with substance abuse, on Saturday, there was very little talk of controversy during the largely upbeat, often humorous and emotional Home-Going ceremony held at New Hope Baptist Church, where Houston first sang in the choir as a child. It was attended by more than 1,500 mourners, including Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Kevin Costner, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack and Whitney's longtime friends, the Winans family.

The ceremony largely underscored her deep Baptist roots and love of the gospel, whether through word or song. This was evidenced by a performance by Grammy-winning gospel star Donnie McClurkin, who sang one of Houston's favorites, "Stand," at the request of her family.

Filmmaker Tyler Perry, who spoke early in the service, said that in conversations with Houston he learned that it was her faith in God that carried her through the darkest times of her life. "Say whatever you want," Perry said. "God is for her. She is resting with the angels."

Gospel singer BeBe Winans, who caused ripples of laughter as he talked about the "crazy Whitney" he knew, wept as he sang the touching ballad "I Really Miss You," a song he wrote about his deceased brother who also died at the age of 48.

Bishop T.D. Jakes and gospel star Kim Burrell also remembered the fallen diva, with Burrell personalizing the Sam Cooke classic, "A Change Is Gonna Come." The legendary Stevie Wonder did something similar later, changing the lyrics of one of his most famous songs from "There's a ribbon in the sky for our love" to "There's an angel in the choir of love."

Actor Kevin Costner, who fought to have Houston cast opposite him in the groundbreaking 1992 film "The Bodyguard," spoke of Houston's enduring doubts about herself and her talent, even at the height of her musical career. He urged her to "go sing for your heavenly father, Whitney," as he fought back tears.

There were a few anxious moments during the ceremony, however, involving Houston's ex-husband Bobby Brown. He apparently attempted to bring nine people to sit in the front row at the ceremony and was turned away. A source at the funeral told MTV News that Brown was encouraged not to cause a scene at the funeral by walking out, but the singer reportedly got on his tour bus and took off, saying he loved Whitney but felt disrespected by the church. He reiterated the sentiment in a statement released by his rep.

Houston's mentor, Clive Davis, brought the audience back to the reason they'd all gathered in that church.

"You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime," he said. "A face like that. A smile like that. A presence like that for a lifetime. And when one person embodies it all — well, it takes my breath away."

He called Houston an eternally loyal friend. "Yes, she admitted to the craziness in her life, and confessed to Oprah about her battles but when I needed her, she was there," he said.

To her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, Davis said, "Always be proud of your mother," before concluding that Whitney was going to "raise the roof in heaven like no one else has done before."

Her longtime bodyguard, Ray, who found her body in a Beverly Hills hotel room, wanted people to remember Houston the woman and not just the singer, adding that entertainers in general should be treated with more respect. He was referring to Houston's tarnished image in the media after years of battling addiction. "We have to give back to all our entertainers. Treat them with love and stop ridiculing them," he said. "They give their lives to you. They're not with their families. This lady right here, she loved you. I know that. I was with her every day."

Controversial R&B singer R. Kelly sang a song he wrote for Houston, "I Look to You," moments before one of the ceremony's final performances, "Tomorrow," by the Winans family. It was followed by the eulogy given by Marvin Winans.

The church played Houston's chart-shattering hit "I Will Always Love You," the song that was without a doubt her most famous, as pall bearers carried her gleaming silver casket out of the church.

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Bobby Brown Leaves Whitney Houston's Funeral Over Seating

18 Feb 2012 17:14:26 EST

'In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene,' singer says in a statement.
By Sowmya Krishnamurthy, with additional reporting by Rebecca Thomas

Bobby Brown did not attend the funeral services of his ex-wife, singer Whitney Houston, in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday (February 18). Brown arrived and left after a disagreement with security over his seating inside the New Hope Baptist Church, a source confirmed to MTV News.

In a statement released to the press by his rep, Brown explained, "My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move.

"Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi-Kristina," the singer continued. "In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how." Whitney Houston's funeral, or Home-Going, was held on Saturday at noon, and the Reverend Al Sharpton, who was also in attendance, weighed in on Brown's arrival and departure in a series of tweets.

"I am at Whitney's funeral. I spoke with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down and not distract from the services. Today is about Whitney!" Sharpton wrote a little after 1:15 p.m.

In a subsequent tweet, the MSNBC personality pleaded on behalf of Brown's case. "We are out of the service. I don't want anyone distorting Bobby Brown. He has shown love and respect today. Stop hatin' "

The traditional Baptist ceremony was a celebration of Houston's life, rooted in the church and her New Jersey upbringing.

An array of family friends, including Dionne Warwick, BeBe & CeCe Winans along with luminaries like Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder and Kevin Costner, who starred with Houston in the 1992 hit film "The Bodyguard," spoke and performed. Among the others in attendance were actor/producer Tyler Perry and Mariah Carey, who shared the 1998 duet "When You Believe" with Whitney.

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Bobby Brown 'Deeply Saddened' After Whitney Houston's Death

12 Feb 2012 19:05:09 EST

Singer's ex-husband and the Houston family release statements just before daughter Bobby Kristina Brown is hospitalized.
By Jason Kaufman

As details of Whitney Houston's death emerged, both the singer's ex-husband, Bobby Brown, and her family officially addressed the media for the first time.

"I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston," Brown said in a statement to MTV News. "At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina. I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time."

The statement appears to have been made before Brown and Houston's 18-year-old daughter, "Bobbi Kristina, was admitted to Cedars-Sinai hospital. According to TMZ, the teen was spotted being taken out of the Beverly Hilton on a stretcher less than 24 hours after her mother's body was taken from the same hotel.

The Houston family also released a statement to MTV News in what appears to be the hours before Bobbi Kristina's hospitalization. "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Whitney. This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly," the statement read. "We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends."

Before his statement, the most the world had heard from Brown was during a New Edition concert in Mississippi Saturday night. After being comforted by the other members of New Edition, Brown took the stage and addressed the crowd. "First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all. Second, I would like to say, 'I love you Whitney.' The hardest thing for me to do is come on this stage." Brown then told the fans that their support for New Edition over the years was the only thing that allowed him to get through the show.

Brown broke down several times through the show and left the stage near the end of the set when he appeared too shaken to perform.

MTV News' Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the Grammys red carpet all evening to get reactions from music's biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch reactions and remembrances at MTV.com.

Share your condolences with Whitney's family and friends on our Facebook page.

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Bobby Brown Breaks Down Onstage Paying Tribute To Whitney Houston

12 Feb 2012 09:47:36 EST

Singer's shaken ex-husband turns to Mississippi crowd for support during New Edition concert.
By Jason Kaufman

Just hours after Whitney Houston's death, her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, took to the stage and was visibly shaken in front of the crowd.

Brown was performing with New Edition in Mississippi. Upon hearing the news of Houston's passing, TMZ.com reported that he was comforted by his bandmates backstage at Southaven's Landers Center.

The Associated Press says members of the R&B act took to the stage without him and told the crowd, "This one is for Whitney." Brown soon made his way onstage to join them and was met with a standing ovation.

An emotional Brown spoke about Houston to the near-capacity crowd. "First of all, I want to tell you that I love you all," he reportedly said. "Second, I would like to say, 'I love you Whitney.' The hardest thing for me to do is come on this stage." Brown told the fans that their support for New Edition over the years was the only thing that allowed him to get through the show.

Us magazine reports that the audience appeared to be willing him through a performance of New Edition's 1996 single "Hit Me Off" with their applause.

A concertgoer told Us that Brown, who was married to Houston for almost 15 years, broke down onstage again while performing his solo hit "Roni" and asked the audience to sing along. During the intermission, the early Houston hit "You Give Good Love" played over the Landers Center's sound system.

The AP reported that New Edition performed 10 songs over more than an hour. As the concert wound down, Brown could not hold back the tears. As his voice cracked during one of the final numbers, he waved to fans and walked off the stage.

Brown, who had a tumultuous marriage with Houston before their split, was not available to talk to the media either before or after the performance. Todd Mastry, the executive director of the Landers Center, was asked by reporters about the mood backstage before the show. "It's what you would expect it to be when something like this happens," Mastry said. "Respectful."

Brown later released a statement. "I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston," said Brown. "At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi- Kristina. I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time."

While Brown was dealing with his grief in the South, artists across the country paid tribute to Houston, with stars like Mariah Carey and Rihanna taking to Twitter while Alicia Keys, Clive Davis, LL Cool J and Tony Bennett toasted the late star at several pre-Grammy parties in Los Angeles.

MTV News' Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the Grammys red carpet tonight starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music's biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch reactions and remembrances at MTV.com. Share your condolences with Whitney's family and friends on our Facebook page.

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Whitney Houston's Death Leaves Bobby Brown 'Distraught'

11 Feb 2012 23:20:55 EST

Houston's ex-husband reportedly 'in and out of crying fits' after hearing about Houston's death.
By Tomika L. Anderson

Bobby Brown is "distraught" and "in and out of crying fits" Saturday night (February 11) following the news that his ex-wife, Whitney Houston, was found dead.

Us Weekly is reporting that Brown went ahead with a planned concert in Mississippi on Saturday night. After breaking down prior to the show, Brown performed and from the stage cried "I love you, Whitney!" while blowing a kiss to the sky.

Whitney Houston was found dead inside a Beverly Hills hotel room following a 911 call. Beverly Hills Police Lieutenant Mark Rosen said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent," and the cause of death is being investigated.

Brown and Whitney were married for 14 years.

According to her official website, Houston sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos during the course of her storied career.

Many celebrities, including Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and countless others, have taken to Twitter to express their shock at her death.

The Reverend Al Sharpton also issued this statement: "I am stunned at the passing of Whitney Houston whom I have known since the late 1980's. I have known her mother, the great gospel singer Cissy, and her aunt Dionne Warwick, down through the years, and the world is saddened by this great loss. Tomorrow Morning at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles I will call for a national prayer for her family and the memory of Whitney Houston. The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird."

MTV News' Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12 starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music's biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch Reactions and Remembrances at MTV.com.

Join us for a tribute to Whitney Houston with non-stop music videos on MTV Hits and MTV Jams, all day Sunday.

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Bobby Brown Gets Engaged To Manager Alicia Etheridge Onstage

10 May 2010 09:20:00 EDT

Singer popped the question to girlfriend of three years at Funk Fest in Florida.
By Jocelyn Vena

Bobby Brown proposed to his girlfriend of nearly three years, Alicia Etheridge, onstage in Florida over the weekend.

Playing a show at the Funk Fest concert at Jacksonville's Metro Park on Friday night, according to the Florida Times-Union, Brown was joined onstage by Etheridge with their 11-month-old son, Cassius, on hand. He then got on one knee and asked Etheridge, his manager, to marry him.

Speaking to the Florida Times-Union, fans said that the crowd went crazy when Brown popped the question. "We shouted, we screamed," Carol Pearsall told the paper. "We supported him." Her husband, Paul, added, "Hopefully he'll get it right this time."

Brown was very infamously married to R&B diva Whitney Houston for 15 years. The two have a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, 17. Brown, who appeared on "Celebrity Fit Club," also has three other children from previous relationships.

While Brown has remained under the radar for the last few years, Houston released an album last year, I Look to You. During the publicity tour, she spoke openly about her troubled relationship with Brown. "He was my drug," Houston, 46, said. "I didn't do anything without him. I wasn't getting high by myself. It was me and him together, and we were partners, and that's what my high was — him. He and I being together, and whatever we did, we did it together. No matter what, we did it together."

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