On August 4, 2024, Chris Brown and Kehlani found themselves embroiled in social media controversy following the posting of a selfie on Brown’s Instagram Story. The image, which shows the two artists posing together with Brown playfully sticking out his tongue, was captioned “Twin ❤️ @kehlani.” The photo has ignited a flurry of reactions from fans, many of whom are revisiting a contentious chapter in the pair’s history.
The controversy is rooted in a 2016 incident when Kehlani faced a public suicide attempt amid rumors of infidelity involving NBA star Kyrie Irving and musician PartyNextDoor. At the time, Chris Brown’s response to the situation was widely criticized. He tweeted, “There is no attempting suicide. Stop flexing for the gram. Doing s**t for sympathy so those comments under your pics don’t look so bad,” a remark that many perceived as callous and dismissive of Kehlani’s struggles.
Given this history, the recent selfie has polarized public opinion. Critics of the reunion have expressed their dismay on social media:
“Joked about you k!!ing yourself and you took a picture with him? Oh Kehlani…” one user lamented on X.
“Like how you link up with the same man who mocked your s**cide attempt,” another user commented.
“Kehlani hanging out with Chris Brown genuinely feels like the biggest f**king slap to the face,” added a third, reflecting the sentiments of those disillusioned by the reunion.
Conversely, some observers have interpreted the selfie as a gesture of personal growth and reconciliation:
“This was 8 years ago… people change and mature,” one supporter observed.
“Okay, obviously they talked about it and she forgave him since they took the pic? Y’all be more mad than the people involved,” another commenter suggested.
The backlash extends beyond personal grievances to questions about Kehlani’s advocacy for mental health. Critics argue that associating with Brown, who has a history of violent behavior, undermines her stance on mental health issues:
“Kehlani clicking down… you can’t support a serial abuser and be an activist,” one fan asserted.
“Mind you, Kehlani tried to end her life, and this is what he had to say. Is this b**** head on straight??” another user questioned.
The selfie’s impact is compounded by Chris Brown’s ongoing legal troubles. The singer, who continues his 11:11 tour with a final performance scheduled for Los Angeles on August 6, is currently facing a $50 million lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Brown assaulted a concertgoer in Ft. Worth, Texas, on July 20, 2024, leading to severe injuries and emotional distress. Brown’s attorney, Levi G. McCathern, has argued that the incident was provoked by the individuals involved in an attempt to incite a reaction from the singer.
As both artists navigate their respective challenges—Kehlani with her recent album “Crash” and upcoming tour, and Brown with his legal and public image struggles—the selfie has reignited discussions on forgiveness, reconciliation, and the complexities of celebrity relationships.