Shortly after arriving at Whitney Houston's funeral ceremony on Saturday, Bobby Brown decided to leave again. He's released a statement explaining why:
"My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continued to ask us and no-one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed, as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honour Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how."
Before you start making assumptions, two can play that game (apologies). Here's another take on the story, courtesy of Sky News:
"Brown was due to be seated near the family, but the group of people he arrived with had to sit apart from him. Shortly after the ceremony began, Brown left the church and was seen standing outside with a woman and a man (perhaps his children are very mature looking). He and the people with him then got into two black SUVs and drove away. The RnB singer had arrived with nine others, according to entertainment website TMZ, despite his invitation asking that he bring only two. Brown became upset when he was told his group could not all be seated and stormed out of the church, further reports added... Reverend Al Sharpton, who was a guest at the service, tweeted: "I spoke with Bobby Brown trying to calm him down and not distract from the services. Today is about Whitney!'"
Well, yes, it should have been. And yet all anyone's talking about is Bobby Brown.
He managed to find the strength to "perform on stage in Connecticut as part of group New Edition a few hours after the funeral, during which he offered another tribute to Houston. 'I want to give blessings to my ex-wife, Whitney Houston, I love you'."
Quibbles about seating arrangements and the accommodation of unnecessary entourages aside, the ceremony went smoothly. Speaking at the funeral, Kevin Costner said: "I was your pretend bodyguard not so long ago and now you're gone. So off you go Whitney. Off you go. Escorted by an army of angels and our heavenly father. And when you sing before him, don't worry, you'll be good enough."
Stevie Wonder admitted he used to have a "little crush" on Whitney, while R Kelly (seriously) and Alicia Keys both performed songs.
Meanwhile, gospel singer Bebe Winans said: "What I'm going to miss is crazy Whitney". He then launched into an anecdote regarding a time when she went on a shopping spree on his behalf. When he queried her generosity, she told him: "You're my brother and sister, right? And we love each other, right? And y'all broke right? I'm rich, right, so I can buy what I want for y'all."
Aretha Franklin had to cancel her performance due to ill health.
