Since the news that Chris Brown was set to perform at the Grammys, There have been many who have been criticizing the move. Chris is also nominated for three awards.
Chris Polk/FilmMagic (NEW YORK) — 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.
