Chris Brown will no longer be performing at the 2022 American Music Awards (AMAs).
The chart-topping singer took to social media to share a clip from rehearsals of what was supposed to be his performance at the AMAs. Brown’s performance was expected to serve as a tribute to the late “King Of Pop,” Michael Jackson, according to TMZ.
In the 7-minute clip, Brown can be seen practicing a choreographed dance routine with professional dancers to his latest single, “Under The Influence,” before the music suddenly changes to a medley of Jackson hits, including “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Wanna Be Starting Something” and “Thriller.”
“U SERIOUS? 🤦♂️” Brown captioned the clip.
The hitmaker later commented on his post, telling fans that the American Music Awards canceled his performance for “reasons unknown.”
“WOULDVE been the ama performance but they cancelled me for reasons unknown,” he said in the comments.
Several upset Chris Brown fans took to the comment on his post saying that it’s “their loss” and that Brown’s performance would’ve been “the performance of the year.”
“Jokes on them,” another fan wrote. “The ONLY reason I would watch the AMAs is if CB performed. Other than that it’s usually generic, uninspired trash.”
Producer Jermaine Dupree also share his thoughts on the cancelation via his Instagram, where he wrote, “If the American Music Awards canceled the Chris Brown performance, then that means they canceled the 40th anniversary of “Thriller,” which means they canceled the Michael Jackson tribute. Black music we in trouble.”
It’s presumed that Brown’s performance would’ve been a tribute to honor the 40th anniversary of Jackson’s sixth studio album, Thriller, which went on to become the music icon’s best-selling album ever.
Brown has previously honored Jackson numerous times during concerts, special events and most notably at the BET Awards in 2010, just one year after Jackson had passed away.
TMZ reported that they have reached out to the AMAs for comment on Brown’s cancelation claim, but they have yet to respond. In addition, representatives for the ABC network have yet to comment on why the tribute was reportedly canceled.
The 2022 American Music Awards will feature performances from Carrie Underwood, Imagine Dragons, P!NK, Yola, Anitta, Bebe Rexha, D-Nice (House DJ), Dove Cameron, GloRilla, J.I.D., Lil Baby, WizKid, and Tems.
P!nk will kick off the AMAs with the live debut of her latest single “Never Gonna Not Dance Again.” In addition to kicking off the show, P!nk will also deliver an emotional tribute performance to the late Olivia Newton-John, who died of breast cancer at 73-years-old in August of 2022, later in the broadcast.
Additionally, Stevie Wonder will join forces with Ari Lennox and Charlie Puth to perform a medley of Lionel Richie’s hit songs in honor of the American Idol judge and former Commodores member, who is the recipient of the prestigious AMAs Icon Award.
Jimmie Allen, Meghan Trainor, Dan + Shay, Dustin Lynch, Ellie Goulding, Jessie James Decker, Kelly Rowland, Kim Petras, Latto, Melissa Etheridge, Sabrina Carpenter and Smokey Robinson, Karreuche Tran, Roselyn Sanchez, Niecy Nash-Betts and Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Liza Koshy will also be on hand to present during the coveted awards show ceremony.
Hosted by Wayne Brady, the 2022 American Music Awards are set to broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 20 at 8/7c on ABC.
