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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

21. Jehlisa M -
okay i dont want to think he did but why would he turn himself in. that makes no sense...turning yourself in for something you didnt do? and i dont know if it was rhianna(however its spelled) or just some random person.. but again why hit some random lady you dont know same with why hit your girlfriend. and its easy to assume because people are saying she cancelled her grammy performance but just gotta wait till later this week and all the detail will show...and his career isnt over cause even if it is true you will still the same girls buying his cd and going to his concerts...he'll be fine!

22. Yahoo! Music User -
I LOVE CHRIS BROWN

23. Hil -
all i can say is innocent until proven guilty... i hope that they are both ok..

24. Angie -
The bad thing about this situation is that because he is a R & B singer he's going to get off of this domestic violence charge. The pressure of being a young star in hollywood I'm glad I'm just a regular citizen in America.

25. Charlie -
Are we sure it wasn't something sexual gone bad? some people like that stuff, who knows? like everyone else has said, we will wait and see. i just can't see Chris Brown doing that, he seems too nice.

26. ScottG -
Screw Chris Brown and riahiana, they have the equivelent talent combined that of a carrot, but dont taste nearly as good

27. Jill -
man chris brown is not a person 2 do that rihanna, rihanna needs 2 leave him alone

28. MatthewM -
this is retarded ppl need lives of their own haha

29. Someone -
its unbelievable. i cant see either of them getting into a fight. they seemed so happy together. but we all still have to think that we dont know the whole situation. we have no idea what they were saying, if chris brown started it or rihanna. heck, rihanna could have started hitting him and he did it out of self defense for all we know. yeah he fled the scene but we dont know all the reasons behind it. im not believing anything until they tell us facts and give us more information. but people do make mistakes. you dont judge someone on what they done in their past you judge them on what they are doing now. and hey he did turn himself in to the police they didnt have to chase after him.

30. R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON -
so i dnt understand did HE OR DID HE NT HIT RHIANNA!!I WOULDNT BELIEVE IT THEY LOOK SO IN LOVE

31. clownie -
chris brown is like a muppet now she can find someone else ....who should it be

32. bolt fever -
it was only a matter of time

33. Erika -
This is really sad. They will both need therapy for this one.

34. Ms. Tee -
I think that there are two sides to every story and we should not rush to judgment.

35. DemiD -
I dont believe it!!!! Chris is nt a violent person. He wouldnt hurt a fly let alone a woman. If he did i dnt knw what got into him but rihanna must have done somtin really bad for him to go off like that

36. adam h -
what a d bag

37. deleta -
I'm soooo sick of hip hop and all it's lowlifes and thugs. But isn't that what the music is all about? Whose the baddest? Guess he has his street creds now. LOSER!

38. Yahoo! Music User -
innocent until proven guilty.

maybe he pushed her, maybe he slapped her. maybe she pushed him, maybe she slapped him.

who cares? they are both young and will learn from "their" mistakes.

move on, nothing here!

best of luck to both of them!

39. Ms G -
To tiffany S you are a FOOL !!!!

40. penelope78 -
Look, I know it's a bit early to start pointing fingers, but something did happen, and it was something bad. If he did attack Rihanna, he's a coward.
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