On Monday night, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars descended on the Mann Village theater for a huge premiere, celebrating the summer’s biggest, loudest, most high-profile movie. But on the “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” red carpet, moments before the film was unveiled, the day’s news involving Chris Brown and Rihanna was on everyone’s lips.
“Violence is never the answer — even if provoked,” reasoned Aubrey O’Day, the former Danity Kane member and “Making the Band” star who had just heard the news that Brown accepted a plea deal. “But with bigger issues like war, we just need to let go and forgive. Let people move on.”
(Look back at a timeline of the five months that followed Chris Brown and Rihanna’s altercation on February 8.)
“I just wish they were here,” “Transformers” co-star Tyrese said of Chris and Rihanna, explaining that the escapism of a film like “Revenge of the Fallen” is helpful during difficult times. “[It would help them] to embrace this energy at this premiere.”
Sure enough, a huge crowd had poured out for “Fallen” —
but as the stars tried to promote their Friday release, it was hard to ignore the news that had broken just a few hours earlier.
“I wish [Chris Brown] luck,” confessed “Gossip Girl” actress Taylor Momsen, who was doubtful that the plea deal was the final chapter in the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama. “People like to obsess over personal lives — so I’m sure it’s not the end.”
“I support both artists,” said Ciara, who has toured and recorded with both Brown and Rihanna. “It’s a very personal process.”
All-American Rejects member Nick Wheeler, however, was a bit less diplomatic. “If it was just a regular dude, would [the sentence] have been the same?” he asked, posing a question on the minds of many who believe Brown’s celebrity helped him in the courtroom. “No one should turn a blind eye to [abuse]. He should get what he gets.”
“We did a show with Rihanna a couple years ago,” Wheeler added. “And she was nice.”
“I wish them well,” explained Anthony Anderson, a star of the original “Transformers” film, who said that he’ll continue to buy Chris Brown albums whenever the troubled singer decides to move forward. “I’m not going to let a personal instance taint my opinion of someone musically.”
“He’s incredibly talented,” Aubrey O’Day agreed. “Regardless of his personal decisions, I will always support his music.”
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