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Chris Brown’s Alleged Assault Charges Could Cost Him His Endorsement Deals

Posted Mon Feb 9, 2009 12:58pm PST by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

No. Not Chris Brown.

He's been the squeaky clean pop R&B poster boy since he hit the scene in 2005 with his #1 debut single "Run It." 

He is not Michael Jackson, but he surely lit a fire under Usher's behind.

He has not publicly feuded with another artist. 

He's been dating his female counterpart Rihanna.

He even had a Doublemint commercial. 

He is 19-years-old.

There are a half a dozen upcoming teen male pop R&B singers signed to major labels who wish they could achieve his success. 

But if the allegations are true that Brown assaulted a woman, his career will be in jeopardy.

According to the reports from the most reputable news sources, Brown turned himself in to authorities Sunday evening in connection with a charge of making a criminal threat. After being interviewed by police, he was released on a $50,000 bond. 

Brown is being accused of assaulting a woman Sunday early morning and fleeing the scene, leaving her in a car in the Hancock Park section of Los Angeles. As a result of the issue, Brown canceled his performance at Sunday's 51st Grammy Awards where he was nominated for two trophies, best pop collaboration for his song "No Air" with Jordin Sparks and best male R&B performance for his ballad "Take You Down."

It is unclear whether or not his girlfriend pop star Rihanna was the victim, however, insiders are speculating that it was the "Umbrella" singer who made the 911 call to police, complaining of being attacked.

Rihanna also withdrew from her scheduled performance from the Grammys.

The couple was last seen together Saturday night when they attended the annual pre-Grammy party hosted by music veteran Clive Davis. Reports indicate that they were happy. 

On Sunday a spokesperson for Rihanna told People magazine that the singer was well, but did not confirm whether she was involved in the altercation.

I hate to speculate on matters like this until all of the facts have been revealed. But I do want to consider what the ramifications might be for Chris Brown if he is found guilty of hitting a woman.

Aside from potentially serving jail time, Chris could face a backlash from his fans and the companies that endorse him. 

Wrigley said Monday that it will be suspending its Chris Brown ad campaign for Doublement gum. In a statement the company said it would delay any advertising or related marketing until the situation is resolved, AP reported. Wrigley added that Brown should be "afforded the same due process as any citizen."

Advertisers and sponsors are quick to disassociate themselves from artists with controversial histories. Ludacris lost an endorsement deal with Pepsi in 2002 when The O'Reilly Factor host Bill O'Reilly attacked the soft drink giant for supporting an artist whom O'Reilly described to have socially irresponsible lyrics. And last year, Verizon pulled the plug on its sponsorship of Gwen Stefani's tour after opening act Akon was seen on a web clip dirty dancing with an underage girl at one of his club dates.

Just last week, we saw the consequences Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps faced when photos surfaced of the 23-year-old swimmer smoking marijuana via a bong pipe.

This could potentially affect Chris' invitation to other award shows and might even prompt fans to not support his upcoming concerts. 

Respected hip-hop historian and journalist Dave "Davey D" Cook said that Brown losing endorsement deals is hardly the key issue. He wants to know how the community will be affected by having role models in Brown and Rihanna entangled in a widely publicized domestic matter. "The music industry, they'll circle the wagons and protect him," Cook said via email. "They'll spin the story and even go out after the victim which is happening now with Rihanna, who is catching heat from people accusing her of snitching."

Cook adds that he would like to see both Brown and Rihanna get help, but he believes that the music business will first put emphasis on keeping Brown's career afloat. "Chris Brown is a hot commodity making money in a crumbling industry that celebrates abusive culture, i.e. pimping," Cook said. "He'll be protected and held up to high esteem just like Ike Turner, Dr. Dre and Big Pun and numerous other artists and entertainers accused of domestic violence."

Many of Chris and Rihanna's fans are already forming opinions about the allegations.

After the news reports were released, fans expressed their opinions on social networking sites. 

I've read many status updates on Facebook that conveyed anger towards Chris Brown.

On Rihanna's MySpace page, some users left her encouraging words, telling her that they are praying for her, that she will be okay, and to do what's best.

Ironically, few harshly condemn Brown. Some even take his side, citing rumors that Rihanna may have provoked a fight between the couple.

The comments on Brown's MySpace page clearly support the artist. One reminded him that he is innocent until proven guilty, while another told him not to worry because everyone makes mistakes. 

We will see how the reaction develops as more of the story comes to light.

Brown is scheduled to go to court on March 5.

17314 Comments

1. clara v -
I don't know what happen we will wait for the reports to come out. But I have read that Rihanna is really controlling and jelous. Other artist have said that she follows him around to every video shoot to make sure girls don't approach him. I don't believe he would do something like that.

2. TracyW -
Let's just wait to see the outcome of this ppl.

3. susies -
think it's there business if it was her, too much drama for the two to be together from the start, hope the best for both, love both of them, wish them both the best of luck with the situation

4. TiffanyS -
well all i kno is that chris brown didnt do it he would never touch a girl unless they said it was ok hes innocent i kno it chris jsut keep ur head up

5. Yahoo! Music User -
i just hope that both of ya'll have tha best of luck and every thing be alright between both of ya'll.

6. jonathanb -
umm clara v its the other way around, i heard chris doesnt like rihanna hanging round with the other dudes. He knows better

7. seoul55 -
i like his music. in his song "forever" he says "i wouldnt let you fall" chris you went back on your word. i love you and wish you the best. hopefully leason learned

8. Yahoo! Music User -
I will say, in regards to the comment made by degrassi1316, I wish that I could agree with you but... unfortunately, those that grew up seeing those types of situations are most likely to repeat it. It's all they know.
I just hope all ends well for the both of them.

9. AleeseS -
Like TiffanyS what are you to chris family? his eyes? you must have been in the car with him to know he didn't do it. Swear for no one especially a man. Right on carmluc379 no man is ever justified in hitting a woman no matter how much she is asking for it and no woman should stand for it. Now none of us knows what happen but where there is smoke there is fire so obviously chris hit a woman (fact) most likely his girlfriend rihanna (speculation) why we don't know. So he's wrong either way and he's about to reap the harvest of his actions

10. Yahoo! Music User -
I can't believe this. This doesn't sound like Chris Brown, but on the same token, you can never really say. I just hope that everything is worked out because he is too talented to let it go to waste. I really hope he didn't do it.

11. SexiShorti -
I just have to wait and see the reports/get the facts from the news before i make any comments.......... however to them both (Chris and Rihanna) why did it have to come to this; i am sure there are regrets. nevertheless keep your heads up..... mistakes do happen when one is angry/upset/confused.

12. Yahoo! Music User -
every body gets into a argument at times but i hope the other party didnt lied just to get attention because he is Chris Brown and or if he did do it at lease he is standing up for his responsablity as a young man to admit something is wrong....

13. Yahoo! Music User -
i just can't believe that somebody that seems as nice as he does would do that. it sucks though because you can't always know if people are abusive. they seemed like they liked each other so how are we supposed to know that they were unhappy. anyways, you should never hit a woman. if its true that it was chris brown, then i will be truly disappointed. best of luck to the both of them.

14. Yahoo! Music User -
Gee, what a shocker. Amother R&B/hip-hop wannabe tough guy in trouble. Is anyone really that surprised?

15. Tenant HO -
People please, everybody is making comments as if they know Chris Brown did it. We do not know, we were not there, all we know is what the media is speculating. I say he is innocent until all the facts are out. You know how media likes to make things more than what they actually are.

16. Cymbeline -
Chris Brown's CAREER is SO over!!!!!

17. Yahoo! Music User -
ANY MAN THAT OUT HIS HAND ON A WOMAN IS [profane]..BETTER YET HE AINT NO MAN!!! i WILL NOT SUPPORT HIM ANYMORE!

18. Shawneen -
One, you don't know what really happened and two if R. Kelly can have a career, this baby can too. One mistake doesn't break your career. Look at all the others before him. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

19. Yahoo! Music User -
i know that people have fights but when your a star,your in the spot lite always kiss your job by by i have no respect for any man to hit a woman i will sell his cds and will not buy any more i like his tunes but not that much i think he is a big jerk if he did not do any thing bad why run away?? dick

20. Andrea -
He's gonna be rollin' UP the river on this one. Sorry Tina.
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