Chris Brown Faces Backlash for Posting Selfie with Kehlani, Fans Recall Past Insensitive Comments on Her Suicide Attempt

Chris Brown and Kehlani have once again found themselves at the center of social media buzz after Brown posted a selfie with the singer on August 4, 2024. The Instagram Story, which depicted the two artists cozied up together with Brown sticking out his tongue, was captioned “Twin ❤️ @kehlani,” sparking a wave of mixed reactions online.

The controversy surrounding this reunion stems from a tumultuous past between the two artists. In 2016, when Kehlani attempted suicide amidst rumors of cheating on NBA star Kyrie Irving with musician PartyNextDoor, Chris Brown publicly mocked her ordeal. At the time, he tweeted, “There is no attempting suicide. Stop flexing for the gram. Doing s**t for sympathy so those comments under your pics don’t look so bad,” a statement that many deemed insensitive and harsh.

Given this history, fans were perplexed and divided over the recent selfie. Some were critical of Kehlani for reconnecting with someone who had previously belittled her mental health struggles:

“Joked about you k!!ing yourself and you took a picture with him? Oh Kehlani…” wrote one user on X.

“Like how you link up with the same man who mocked your s**cide attempt,” another remarked.

“Kehlani hanging out with Chris Brown genuinely feels like the biggest f**king slap to the face,” added a third user.

However, others saw the photo as a sign of growth and reconciliation:

“This was 8 years ago… people change and mature,” one commenter noted.

“Okay, obviously they talked about it and she forgave him since they took the pic? Y’all be more mad than the people involved,” another wrote.

The backlash also extended to a broader discussion about Kehlani’s advocacy for mental health. Some fans felt that by associating with Brown, known for his violent past, Kehlani was contradicting her stance on mental health issues:

“Kehlani clicking down… you can’t support a serial abuser and be an activist,” a fan expressed.

“Mind you, Kehlani tried to end her life, and this is what he had to say. Is this b**** head on straight??” another user commented.

Despite the divided opinions, the photo indicates that the two artists have seemingly moved past their previous feud. For some fans, this reconciliation is a sign of maturity and forgiveness, while for others, it is a baffling and disappointing decision.

In addition to the uproar over the selfie, Chris Brown continues to face legal troubles. Fifteen years after his infamous assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna, Brown remains embroiled in legal disputes. Most recently, he is facing a $50 million lawsuit for an alleged assault at his concert in Ft. Worth, Texas, on July 20, 2024. According to the lawsuit, Brown is accused of physically assaulting a concertgoer, resulting in severe injuries and emotional distress. Brown’s lawyer, Levi G. McCathern, has countered these claims, arguing that the individuals involved provoked the incident to elicit a reaction from the singer.

As Chris Brown’s 11:11 tour continues, with its final stop in Los Angeles on August 6, the singer’s legal and public image issues persist. Meanwhile, Kehlani, who recently released her album “Crash” and announced a multi-city headlining tour, remains in the spotlight for both her music and her personal choices. The selfie has undoubtedly stirred the pot, leaving fans and observers questioning the complexities of forgiveness and public perception in the realm of celebrity relationships.