Chris Brown’s teary-eyed tribute to Michael Jackson at Sunday’s BET Awards has unsurprisingly divided fans and critics, but the singer - who was making his first major public appearance since pleading guilty to felony assault of ex-girlfriend Rihanna last June - has a supporter in Michael’s older brother, Jermaine.
“To see [Brown’s] performance, it was very emotional for me, because it was an acceptance from his fans from what has happened to him and also paying tribute to my brother,†Jermaine said on Extra. “It was just a spectacular moment.â€
Jackson went on to say that while he doesn’t approve of Brown’s assault of Rihanna, he believes the singer deserves the chance to “heal†and grow from his mistakes.
“He deserves to perform, because it’s healing for him,†Jermaine said. “How can he learn from his mistakes if you don’t give him a chance? He needs that. I love Rihanna, and I’m not supporting what he did, but I support him [as a singer] 100 percent.â€
Chris Brown’s BET Awards MJ Tribute Was ‘Spectacular,’ Jermaine Jackson Says [MTV]