Rihanna pulls out of Grammy Awards after Chris Brown arrest
The Grammy awards’ opening act – and triple nominee – Rihanna pulled out of the ceremony after her boyfriend Chris Brown was arrested for an alleged domestic violence incident.
The incident occurred after the couple left Clive Davis’s star-studded pre-Grammys gala at LA’s Beverly Hilton on Saturday night.
Los Angeles police responded to a 911 call reporting the disturbance at around 12.30am on Sunday morning. Mr Brown has already left the scene, but a woman with ‘visible injuries’ – who has not been named – identified him as her attacker.
A statement released by the LAPD said double Grammy-nominee Mr Brown and his alleged victim “became involved in an argument. After stopping his car, Brown and the woman got out and the argument escalated. The woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker.”
Reports that Rihanna, 20, is the complainant have not been substantiated by police. Officer April Harding said: “The identity of the victim will not be released. Any victim who’s involved in a domestic violence incident is entitled to confidentiality.”
19-year-old performer Brown – who sold over two million copies of his debut album – surrendered to Los Angeles police on Sunday evening and was taken into custody. He was charged with making criminal threats and released after posting $50,000 (£33,800) bail. He may face further charges.
Representatives for Brown have not commented on the incident, while Rihanna’s publicist stated that the singer had been involved in a traffic mishap but was ‘fine’.
The Barbadian star was supposed to open the Grammys, which took place at the Staples Centre in LA last night. She was nominated in awards three categories, including Best Dance Recording for her hit single Disturbia. Brown was also scheduled to perform.