Chris Brown‘s criminal record has followed him all the way down to the Southern hemisphere.
The hip-hop star has been forced to cancel his Australian and New Zealand tours after being refused visas due to his domestic violence conviction against Rihanna in February 2009.
A statement issued by Brown’s promoters confirmed the cancellation of the two legs of Brown’s world tour, according to Reuters, but did not give any details why.
Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said in September that his office intended to refuse Brown a visa over his history of domestic violence. There was then a 28-day window for him to appeal.
The singer responded to the cold reception that he got from Down Under by pledging to teach Australian kids about the perils of domestic violence.
“I would be more than grateful to come to Australia to raise awareness about domestic violence,” Brown wrote Sept. 29, adding that he’s “not
“My life mistakes should be a wake up call for everyone. Showing the world that mistakes don’t define you. Trying to prevent spousal abuse,” he continued.
“The youth don’t listen to parents nor do they listen to PSA’s. The power that we have as entertainers can change lives,” Brown added.
Brown had been scheduled to perform shows in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane this month.
He was sentenced to five years of probation after beating then-girlfriend Rihanna during a February 2009 argument before the Grammys.
On June 22, 2009, he pleaded guilty to a felony and accepted a plea deal of community labor, five years’ formal probation, and domestic violence counseling.