Singer Bobby Brown reportedly left fans stunned over the weekend in Las Vegas when he appeared to omit any tribute to his late ex-wife, Whitney Houston, during his onstage performance. Brown, 57, was celebrating the 38th anniversary of his 1988 album, "Don't Be Cruel," at the Palms Las Vegas.
During a section of the show dedicated to covers of late music artists, Brown performed songs by Rick James, Michael Jackson, and Prince. However, a nod to Houston, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 48, or her extensive catalog of hits, was notably absent. Representatives for Brown have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Brown and Houston were married from 1992 to 2007 and shared a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who died in 2015 at age 22.
Brown had actively promoted the anniversary show on social media, highlighting the cultural impact of "Don't Be Cruel." He invited fans to celebrate the album's legacy, which he described as having helped define an era, elevate R&B, and bring New Jack Swing to the forefront of popular music. He also teased upcoming performances in August, promising to bring the music of the 80s and 90s back to life.
In a 2022 A&E series, "Biography: Bobby Brown," the singer reflected on Houston's death, expressing regret for not being there for her and suggesting that their shared struggles might have been mitigated if they had stayed together. "I think we could have helped each other out. I think she would still be here if we hadn't divorced," he stated in the documentary. "I wasn't there. I beat myself about it because I wasn't there. I wish I could have been there for her."