So much for anger management.
Chris Brown allegedly burst into a violent rage on the set of ABC’s “Good Morning America” today (Mar. 22), after interviewer Robin Roberts repeatedly asked the singer about his 2009 assault of former girlfriend Rihanna. According to multiple reports, Brown smashed a window and stormed out of the building shirtless onto New York’s Times Square after sitting down with Roberts for an interview and performing a track from his new album “F.A.M.E.,” which was released today.
Photos: Chris Brown’s Career Highs and Lows
UPDATE 12:50pm ET: Despite reports that Brown has been arrested since the incident, a spokesperson for the NYPD tells Billboard.com, “We were not called to the scene. We were not involved as far as the department is concerned.”
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Things went sour when Roberts began the conversation by asking about Rihanna. Although Brown tried to divert the questions to focus on “F.A.M.E.,” Roberts continued to drill him about his troubled past, which clearly did not sit well with Brown. “I’ve been focusing on this album. I think this album is what I want people to hear and want people to really get into,” Brown said, attempting to redirect the interview. “Definitely this album is what I want to talk about and not what happened two years ago.”
Chris Brown Finishes Domestic Violence Classes
According to TMZ, Brown stormed backstage after the interview and smashed a window with a chair, causing it to shatter and for shards of glass to fall on the sidewalk of 43rd Street and Broadway. Security was reportedly called to the scene, but by the time they arrived, a shirtless Brown was headed out the door.
ABC sources tell TMZ that Brown personally gave Roberts the greenlight to ask him about Rihanna before the interview began.
Shortly after the incident, Brown took to Twitter and wrote, “I’m so over people bringing up the past shit up!!! Yet we praise Charlie sheen and other celebs for there bullshit.” He has since deleted that post followed with a series of tweets that, like his album, are dedicated to his fans. “All my fans!!! This album is for you and only you!!!” Brown said. “I’m so tired of everyone else!! I love team breezy!!”
Video: Chris Brown performs on “Good Morning America”
Brown has also retweeted other celebrities who are showing him their support, including Clipse’s Pusha T, who said, “I understand @chrisbrown, I’m going to buy F.A.M.E. Actually I’m gonna buy 10 copies and give them to my nieces and god daughters.” Kanye West protege Big Sean tweeted, “Everybody! Go cop my bro @chrisbrown album!! He put alot of work into it n deserves it… Killem! Boi!”
Although Brown is still on probation for assaulting Rihanna, the singer completed his required domestic violence counseling sessions, and in February a court order barring him from coming into close contact with Rihanna was lifted.