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Chris Brown has faced a number of controversies over the years, even spending time in jail. He spoke about how these mistakes made him a role model.
After a probation violation, Chris Brown spent several months in jail in 2014. At that point, the singer had been involved in a number of violent altercations and had been charged with felony assault. Still, Brown believed he’d redeemed himself and could still be considered a role model after his time behind bars.
Chris Brown said he considered himself a role model after getting out of jail
In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault after attacking his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. He was sentenced to five years probation.
In 2013, he violated his probation following an alleged hit-and-run. He entered a rehab facility under the agreement that if he left, he would go to jail. After he violated the facility’s rules and was kicked out, he spent time in jail. He believed that these mistakes, and others, made him a role model.
“As far as my mistakes in life, that’s being a role model, because people can see my mistakes and learn from them,” he told Billboard in 2014. “I’ve gone through more stuff than most 35- or 40-year-olds, and I’ve dealt with it. As far as becoming a man in the public eye, continuing to persevere and stay positive throughout trials and tribulations … that’s the only thing I’d say contributes to my being a role model. If kids look up to me, that’s amazing; great.”
While he understood people could look up to him for his music, he didn’t think it necessarily made him a role model.
“As far as me as an artist and a person, I always want to exude positivity,” he said. “But as far as saying, ‘Hey, I’m a role model, I’m the best of this,’ I take the humble approach and let people make that decision for themselves.”
He felt grateful for his fans’ continued support after his legal problems.
Chris Brown spoke about redemption after time in jail
He believed in his redemption following his time in jail.
“Being able to learn from mistakes and inspiring people to learn from yours [is redemption],” he said. “Redemption is being able to be completely humble and love yourself. Know that you’re human and understand that life has its ups and downs, but God always balances it out.”
He was recently detained in England
In May 2025, Brown was arrested in Manchester, England because of an alleged nightclub attack in 2023. Brown is accused of assaulting producer Abe Diaw with a tequila bottle.
He has since been released on a $6.7 million bail after a judge previously denied him bail. He will be able to commence his Breezy Bowl tour beginning in Amsterdam on June 8.
