Bobby Brown Issues Statement To Explain Abrupt Exit From Whitney Houston’s Funeral

Whitney Houston was laid to rest Saturday afternoon in a lavished and well attended funeral service attended by many celebrity friends, but it was ex-husband Bobby Brown‘s abrupt exit that caught headlines. It was reported Bobby Brown left before the service, held in Whitney hometown of Newark, NJ, began because he and and an entourage of 9 could not be accommodated due to lack of seating.

In an official statement, issued by his publicist, Brown clarifies what took place and says, “My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how.”

Although by releasing the statement in an attempt to explain his reason for leaving, many news reporters and media outlets felt Brown let his pride get in the way by leaving and brought about further conflict on a day that should have been about Whitney.

In his defense, however, both Reverend Jesse Jackson and even Reverend Al Sharpton clarified what actually took place and came to Bobby’s aid in a post interview on CNN.

Jackson stated, “That was a very difficult moment for all of us. It seems to me that they could have accommodated him better than they did.”

Sharpton added, “He showed nothing but love and respect for Whitney. I wish people would leave Bobby alone”.

Should we be surprised? I think not.

In the past week, Whitney’s family had been debating on whether to invite Brown because many people feel, and maybe they do as well, that he helped in leading Whitney to her demise. In the week since Whitney’s passing, it was reported that Bobby was invited, uninvited, re-invited  and was even kept from seeing his daughter, 18 year old Bobbi Kristina.

Honestly, I understand what Brown is saying. Could he have stayed despite the obvious tension that would have been in the air? Yes. But something tells me no matter what he did, it would have still resulted in some kind of altercation, gossip, and/or speculation. I agree with Sharpton, just leave Bobby alone.