Chris Brown released the trailer to his documentary, “Welcome to My Life,” on April 17, where he discusses his rise to fame and the domestic violence incident involving former girlfriend Rihanna, that turned him into—his words—“public enemy number one.”
Dressed in a sweater and baseball cap, Brown sits in an empty room as he watches his musical peers on several television screens—Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez, Usher—peg him as the next superstar with immense talent. Brown’s career began at age 16 with hits, “Run It” and “Gimme Dat,” and he became a heartthrob to young female fans.
The young lady who caught his heart was pop singer, Rihanna.
“To see Rihanna and Chris, it was magical,” said actor and former “106 & Park” host Terrence Jenkins. “They were kind of inseparable.”
Brown and Rihanna, real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty, dated from 2008 to 2009. But their lovefest came to an end when Brown assaulted the pop star the night before the 51 Annual Grammy Awards.
In August 2009, Brown was sentenced to 5 years probation and 6 months community labor as well as a year of domestic violence counseling. He was also ordered to stay away from Rihanna for the duration of his sentence.
The couple tried to rekindle their relationship in 2012, but instead decided to remain friends.
Brown, describing their previous relationship as “real-life rock stars” and a “fairytale,” says the incident led to him “being kind of like America’s sweetheart to public enemy number one.” Brown, who hasn’t discussed much of the incident in public, described what he was feeling during those times.
“I felt like a [expletive] monster,” said Brown. “I was thinking about suicide and everything else.”
Brown’s mother, Joyce Hawkins, also offered her opinion. “That was the worst day of my life and probably his life. I felt like I was gonna lose my child.”
Brown, who is struggling to stay out of trouble, has been involved in incidents on “Good Morning America” and an alleged fight with singer Frank Ocean. Brown was embroiled in a media frenzy that was starting to become too much for the 26-year-old artist.
“I wasn’t sleeping, I barely ate. I was just getting high,” said Brown.
However, for those who doubted he would rise from the ashes, Brown has some words.
“If there ever was a doubt in your mind, Chris Brown was done, he was finished” said Brown while shaking his head. “I wouldn’t bet on it.”
The documentary release date is unknown.
