A pall was cast over the Grammys on Sunday night when police said just 90 minutes before the show began that they were investigating nominee Chris Brown for allegedly attacking a woman the night before. And minutes before U2 opened the the telecast with its new single, the Recording Academy said Rihanna, Brown's longtime girlfriend, had scratched her performance.
A police statement said the 19-year-old Brown had argued with an unidentified woman Saturday night, and that the fight escalated when they got out of a vehicle in the ritzy Hancock Park neighborhood. The woman told authorities that her attacker was Brown, who was not at the scene.
A CBS promotion for the upcoming show touted the R&B singer and dancer as a performer just minutes before it began, though he had not been spotted at the Staples Center as of late Sunday afternoon. A representative for Brown had no comment when approached at the venue.
Brown has long been dating pop superstar Rihanna, who was slated to perform early in the show. But she dropped out, the Recording Academy said in a statement less than an hour before the show, and she was not seen at the venue as the show was about to get under way.
"We're sorry she is unable to join us this evening," the statement said. It did not provide details as to why.
Rihanna was supposed to sing "Live Your Life/Disturbia" as the second performance of the night, Brown was later to sing "Forever."
Brown and Rihanna were both nominated in the pop collaboration with vocals category, Brown for "No Air" with "American Idol" champion Jordin Sparks; and Rihanna for "If I Never See Your Face Again" with Maroon 5.
Brown was also nominated for male R&B vocal performance for "Take You Down." - AP
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