If you are one to believe everything you read, then you would give credence to the "story" about Rev. Al Sharpton and Jay-Z putting a kibosh on Chris Brown's planned Michael Jackson tribute during the 2009 BET Awards.
But that's not the case.
Or so claims a rep for the Viacom-owned network, which presented its glitzy annual awards ceremony on June 28 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
While the New York Daily News is reporting that producers pulled Brown's performance "at the last minute" on the insistence of Rev. Al Sharpton, that's apparently not the truth. An insider also told the tabloid that "Jay-Z also had a hand in the decision," because he is "a big name in the BET community."
And so are Kanye West, Beyonce, T-Pain, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Ciara. But what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?
I don't know...
2009 BET Awards
Jay-Z, left, and Beyonce Knowles are seen at the 9th Annual BET Awards on Sunday, June 28, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
AP
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ne-Yo and actor Jamie Foxx hug after singing "I'll Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ne-Yo and actor Jamie Foxx hug after singing "I'll Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ne-Yo (L) and actor Jamie Foxx sing "Ill Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION.....Actor Jamie Foxx sings "I'll Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Ne-Yo performs "The Lady in My Life", a song by Michael Jackson, at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ne-Yo and actor Jamie Foxx sing "I'll Be There", a song by Michael Jackson, during the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Ne-Yo performs "The Lady in My Life", a song by Michael Jackson, at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ciara performs "Heal the World", a song by Michael Jackson, .at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009 REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
REFILE - ADDING CAPTION INFORMATION....Singer Ciara performs "Heal the World", a song by Michael Jackson, .at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Reuters
"Al made such a fuss to the BET executives that they pulled Chris," revealed the alleged insider.
Jay-Z was reportedly "very vocal about his displeasure with Chris attending the ceremony. He didn't want Chris anywhere near the awards so close to the court's ruling."
"This is totally untrue," BET spokeswoman Jeanine Liburd told BV Newswire today. "And for some reason, I continue to be amazed at how fast rumors fly."
"Chris Brown was never confirmed, and the rumors circulating are fictitious," she continued.
Wendy Washington, who helms media relations for Chris Brown's record label, Jive, said the company did not issue a statement regarding the Daily News story.
Jay-Z's last known record company publicist, Jana Fleishman, did not respond to queries by deadline. She also reps Rihanna.
"The Daily News report that Reverend Sharpton had something to do with Chris Brown being pulled from the BET Awards was 100 percent erroneous and without merit," Sharpton's spokeswoman, Rachel Noerdlinger, said.
"Not only did Reverand Sharpton have no idea what they were talking about, he himself hadn't intended to be present," she continued. "He shifted his plans however, when he got a message that Joe Jackson wanted him there for support."
Comments: (51)
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By: ADMR on 7/01/2009 11:57AM
That Piss in the Bed, Fork Mouthed BOY BLACKlisted himself.
7/1
10:10
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By: ernette on 7/13/2009 9:45PM
I don't care about Chris Brown personnel life.He and his girl friend have over came this mishap the media should to. He is an awesome singer,actor entertainer and he is not the first person to make a mistake, and definitely not the last one. People make mistakes all the time that what make us human. Hollywood sure does.If he does something i like i will still will patronize him , it was the haters that black balled him.
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By: kate on 7/01/2009 12:06PM
Why are we even still talking about this.. Chris hasn't said anything so why do we care... Vibe Mag has just folded.. Who cares about why Chris Brown wasn't there.. He shouldn't have plead GUILTY...
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By: ernette on 7/13/2009 9:50PM
I agree with you Chris shouldn't had pleaded guilty, but he is young and probably was scared had a weak attorney who took his money and worked with the district attorney to have a strike on this young persons record.
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By: Chrissy on 7/14/2009 3:21PM
I totally agree...apart of me feel like he was forced to take this plea deal...like you said a weak attorney didn't help matters at all now I see why MJ fired him when his trial was taking place.
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By: Hi! Karistan on 7/01/2009 12:15PM
Who Cares that he didn't preform... The show is over now & it's how many days later??? Next time keep your hands to your self or Don't plead guilty.. Which ever comes first..
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By: MRS B on 7/02/2009 10:25AM
I AGREE - ANYTHING THAT GOES WRONG IN HIS CAREER IS HIS OWN FAULT. HE SHOULD BE IN JAIL.
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By: lanette on 7/03/2009 9:48AM
I agree with you.
Plus we as a people cannot not celebrate foolishness and violence.
so what if he wasn't there.
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By: kaneisha on 7/01/2009 1:14PM
I don't know which one to point the finger at; Rev Al or Jay, but someone played a role in him not being able to perform at the BET Awards. No one just wants to admit to it. Regardless of the outcome of Chris' case, I think he still should have been given a chance to be a part of the tribute. He was a HUGE MJ fan; bigger than Jamie Foxx. Plus there were rumors that MJ had invited Chris to make a special appearance at one of his shows during his upcoming tour in London. So if MJ wasn't even passing judgment on Chris, then why should anyone else???? If anything, Chris can really relate to MJ. The media is doing the same thing to him that they did to MJ (portraying him as a monster). But god forbid if Chris croked tomorrow, then I am sure BET would pay a tribute to him as well AFTER all of this. (A$$ backwards) I just don't get it.
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By: Come On on 7/01/2009 1:36PM
#1 Recognize that Ri Ri is a crazy yardie who put her hands on him too(Prior to the Grammy fight, she pushed and slapped him in Paris.)
#2 If we are trying to do a tribute to Michael, Chris is way more appropriate than Gay Z doing his own freaking song:( (How tacky was that?)
#3 Isn't Don Cornelius on probation right now for choking out his cave bitch? I didn't see anyone running up to tell his old wife beating ass to saddown!
Sweep around your OWN front door and stop trying to play GOD -- people kill me thinking they can judge better than he can.
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