Vanessa Carlton calls Chris Brown a 'perpetrator of domestic violence' after he used her song on IWD
Ivanka Trump‘s not the only high-profile figure whose support of International Women’s Day has backfired.
As Billboard reports, singer Chris Brown took a moment on March 8 to recognize IWD with a post (since deleted) featuring a clip of Vanessa Carlton’s 2002 hit, “A Thousand Miles.”
Here’s why the tribute didn’t go over so well: Brown has been a controversial figure since his 2009 arrest for beating then-girlfriend Rihanna. The “Run It!” singer pleaded guilty to felony assault and was sentenced to probation and domestic violence counseling.
Carlton felt compelled to distance herself from Brown’s support and pointed out his abusive past. Her Instagram post has been deleted, and her account is now set to private.
According to a screenshot acquired by The Shade Room, Carlton told her followers that she did “not want to be associated with an artist that has assaulted women on a day like today.” Brown then responded by saying her post was “spreading hatred.”
A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on Mar 8, 2018 at 8:56am PST
Undeterred, he replaced his original post with a clip from the 2004 comedy White Chicks, which features the song.
A post shared by INDIGO CHILD (@chrisbrownofficial) on Mar 8, 2018 at 9:24am PST
Meanwhile, many of Brown’s fans are accusing Carlton of overreacting.
Really? He said nothing but nice words, and you turn around and do this… then delete it? I don't support domestic violence either, but I do believe people can change and learn from their PAST! Don't be a bitch. If it bothers you so much, just ignore it.
— Jessica Rangel (@Jayrangel_) March 8, 2018
@chrisbrown handled that situation very maturely. He’s clearly trying to grow and leave his past where it’s at, but it’s people like @VanessaCarlton who love to throw it in his face. What you did was wack and nobody knew that was your song until today sis
— DAIJ DADDY ✨ (@DAI_MILADI) March 8, 2018
So, Vanessa Carlton said she supports domestic violence victims not perpetrators. So, she didn’t want to be associated with Chris Brown.
Problem with her statement is he is a victim of domestic violence. He’s spoken publicly about the abuse he suffered as a child. Wild.
— Capital B (@YeezieTaughtMe) March 8, 2018
When someone extends an olive branch AND they did their time to write their wrongs the least you could do as a woman is acknowledge the gesture and say thank you. You haven’t been relevant for a very long time. So here we are… pic.twitter.com/LhdELY9KF8
— Sis (@Queen12Solar) March 8, 2018
Wow… all Chris did was post the that beautiful song and Vanessa Carlton took the opportunity to bring up the past and herself a victim, what a bitch.
Fucking one hit wonder.
Your song is only good cause of #WhiteChicks movieChris was just helping her out.
— Austin Bogar (@AustinBogar1) March 8, 2018
Why delete it? If you felt so strongly about it ? He didn’t say anything degrading and yet you decided to be negative smh. You got your few mins of attention.. feel better?
— ✭ Fire The Clapper ✭ (@Itzzyoyo) March 8, 2018
Vanessa Carlton was tasteless for posting that. Sad.
— Lovely Rose (@roseysweetus) March 8, 2018
I’m so sick of women like @VanessaCarlton thinking they are helping women out by being hateful and with no understanding I as a woman will not stand behind women who do not own up to what bad things they bring to a relationship
— Lanette williams (@Badgirlnette) March 8, 2018
Still, Carlton has plenty of supporters who stand by her decision to reject Brown’s overture on the basis of his past behavior.
@VanessaCarlton was well within her rights to do this. Just because some of y’all can excuse Chris Brown’s horrific past involving domestic abuse so you could bop to his mediocre music doesn’t mean the rest of the world has to follow suit. #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/RRvqFZ63Bz
— Blue Ivy's Au Pair (@MikeyTBH) March 8, 2018
Vanessa Carlton said nothing wrong. She stated how she felt & that was that. There was nothing "hateful" about it. The fact that there are more women attacking her in defense of Chris Brown is what's wrong. But, Happy #InternationalWomensDay
— Mimmie (@Stoic504) March 8, 2018
Vanessa Carlton can choose to not to be associated with Chris Brown just like ya'll still choose to support his transphobic, misogynistic ass.
— fran (@sanfranaf) March 8, 2018
Vanessa Carlton dragged tf out Chris Brown disgusting abusing ass
— (@rihweready) March 8, 2018
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
There’s no turning back now’: 3 women share their life-changing stories on International Women’s Day
Alleged Trump mistress Stormy Daniels has a racy message for her ‘haters’
Why this conservative woman believes we need ‘a new brand of feminism’
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