Selena Gomez sneers at Chris Brown's nomination at MTV Video Music Awards
Selena Gomez made her feelings about controversial popstar Chris Brown incredibly clear on Tuesday night, when she was caught visibly sneering as his name was read out during the 2023 MTV Video Music Award ceremony.
The 30-year-old singer and actress — who won the Best Afrobeats award with Rema — was caught on camera making a very disgruntled expression as the 34-year-old R&B crooner's name was mentioned during the ceremony.
Brown was nominated for Best R&B for his cameo on Chloe Bailey's song How Does It Feel and the moment his name was read out as one of the listed nominees, Gomez was seen scrunching up her nose in clear disapproval over his acknowledgement.
Although Gomez has not yet addressed the reasons behind her seemingly-disgusted reaction to Brown's nomination, she is by no means the first person to publicly denounce the singer - who has been repeatedly criticized for his violent past, including his assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.
The award went to SZA for her song Shirt, prompting another visceral reaction from Gomez, who appeared disappointed that the songstress wasn't at the show to accept her award in person.
On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the account @iconiksongs posed a clip of the captured grimace.
'Selena Gomez's reaction to Chris Brown is SO FUNNY,' the tweet to its 187,500 followers read.
It comes after last month singer Ciara caught flack from fans for working with him on her new song How We Roll.
Critics flooded her social media comments to condemn her for working with the 'toxic' hitmaker despite his violent past — which includes physically abusing Rihanna in 2009.
He was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats but avoided jail time by accepting a plea deal.
Last November Kelly Rowland defended Chris when he was booed after winning Best Male R&B Artist at the American Music Awards, which he was not present for.
At the time she said 'we all need to be forgiven' while scolding the crowd.
Kelly later told TMZ: 'I believe that grace is very real, we all need a dose of it. Before we point fingers at anyone we should realize how grateful we are, for every moment that we get.'
In the early hours of February 8, 2009, he got into an argument with Rihanna that ended with him assaulting her badly enough to require her hospitalization.
He was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats the following month, initially pleading not guilty, before pleading guilty to a single felony count.
He was ordered to serve five years of probation, community service and counseling for domestic violence.
The two later reunited in early 2013, before breaking up again later that year.
In addition to giving his former partner a busted lip and painful black eye during a fight when she was 21, he most recently was accused of raping and drugging a woman aboard a yacht in 2020, which he has vehemently denied.
Airing live in more than 150 countries, the global production spotlighted the best music videos of the past year with performances, tributes and fashion-forward appearances from music industry heavy hitters.
A new award category was introduced this year titled Show of the Summer, and fans got to decide who takes home the moon man prize.
Shakira received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and hip-hop icon Diddy received the Global Icon Award.
This year, the list of Artist of the Year contenders was entirely comprised of female artists for the first time, with Taylor Swift leading with the most nominations.
Credit: dailymail