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Grammy No-Shows Prompt Telecast Scramble

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The Associated Press

Published: February 9, 2009

The last-minute absences of scheduled performers and nominees Chris Brown and Rihanna prompted some fast reshuffling at Sunday night's Grammy telecast, including a hastily put together ensemble performance by Justin Timberlake, Boyz II Men, Al Green and Keith Urban.

Brown, who was both a nominee and a scheduled performer, was being investigated in the assault of an unidentified woman the night before the show.

Officers received a 911 call about an incident in which a woman accused Brown of hurting her.

Authorities have not identified who that woman was, citing confidentiality for victims of domestic abuse.

The 19-year-old Brown, who had left the scene before authorities arrived, turned himself in to police while the Grammy Awards were going on Sunday without him — and also without Rihanna, who, like Brown, canceled her scheduled appearance.

Brown was released after posting $50,000 bail. Los Angeles police Sgt. Bridget Pickett described the singer as "professional" during processing.

Rihanna's publicist declined to say why the singer did not appear, saying only that she was "well" and expressing thanks for the concern. Brown's representatives also refused to discuss the allegations or his arrest.

News of the incident broke as stars were showing up at the Grammys. Police said in an initial news release, sent 90 minutes before the show began, that the woman accusing Brown showed visible injuries.

Still, Brown was not booked on suspicion of physically hurting the woman. Pickett said a criminal threats charge indicates a person makes a threat and has the capacity to carry it out.

"There may be domestic violence charges added later, but that will be up to the district attorney's office," Pickett said.

Less than an hour after the ceremony ended, Brown left a police substation with his attorney as numerous photographers tried to get a shot of him on the way out.

Brown and Rihanna are dating and were both multiple Grammy nominees.

Rihanna was set to be the second performer on Sunday night's CBS show, singing "Live Your Life" and "Disturbia."

Instead, the ensemble performance went on after an awkward, impromptu-sounding introduction by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who had been scheduled to introduce Rihanna.

Brown was scheduled as the evening's fifth performer, singing "Forever," but his performance was scratched.

LL Cool J, who had been scheduled to introduce Brown, instead joined Jay Mohr in introducing Sugarland and Adele.

"We're live television, and the Grammys have a history of 50 years of putting on these great performances," Recording Academy chairman Neil Portnow said. "Things happen; sometimes things change, and you have to be nimble and quick on your feet."

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