Selena Gomez cringes after hearing Chris Brown’s nomination at VMAs 2023 | Video

Selena Gomez was not happy after Chris Brown’s nomination for Best R&B award was read out at MTV VMAs 2023 on Tuesday.

Gomez, who was sitting down with her ‘Calm Down’ co-singer Rema, visibly cringed when she heard Brown’s nomination being read out during the awards show. She was about to clap when she decided against it. Instead, she was seen sporting an expression on her face that symbolized distaste. Rema, however, clapped politely.

Gomez proceeded to clap for the rest of the artists who were nominated for the same category. Brown was nominated for his song ‘How Does It Feel’ featuring Chlöe. SZA’s ‘Shirt’ was declared the winner of Best R&B.

As soon as the winner was declared, Gomez fist-pumped the air and went, “Yes! Yes!” and started looking for SZA to come and accept the award. “Where’s she?” Gomez asked after she could not locate SZA anywhere. SZA did not attend the VMAs this year.

Brown has been involved in an array of controversies over the years involving violence, misogyny, and alleged sexual assault. In 2009, he was sentenced to five years’ probation for assaulting his then-girlfriend, fellow singer Rihanna.

In February this year, Brown went on an Instagram rant, expressing frustration towards people who still hold a grudge against him for physically assaulting Rihanna. He compared his situation to the public’s apparent acceptance of the relationship between Blueface and his girlfriend Chrisean Rock, which has involved physical violence.

“If y’all still hate me for a mistake I made as a 17-year-old please kiss my whole entire a–,” he wrote. Back in 2009, Brown was 19, not 17, despite his claim. He also criticized the idea of “cancel culture” for not holding white artists accountable for dating underage women or assaulting their wives. He added, “Oh. That’s right.. they are your buddies. No more fake love from me.. Stay out my way or get ran over simple as that!”