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As Chris Brown and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, prepare for his preliminary hearing for felony charges on June 22, which will reunite him with ex-girlfriend Rihanna, who has been subpoenaed by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, ESSENCE.com examines the rumors and truths surrounding the unraveling of the music industry’s once beloved couple.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, would be granted permission to search LAPD documents to uncover the person responsible for the TMZ photo leak of a bruised Rihanna.
Truth: L.A. Superior Court Judge Patricia Shnegg denied two motions filed by Brown’s attorney and ruled that the leaked photo did not invalidate charges against Brown.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna was on her way to securing a Vogue cover and getting chummy with the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, who promptly stopped accepting her calls once nude photos of her and Chris Brown were leaked.
Truth: Rihanna and Anna Wintour were seen being rather friendly at the Costume International Met Gala event, so perhaps they had developed a good rapport after meeting face-to-face.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Nude photos of the pop princess surface on the Internet that are believed to have been released by ex-beau Chris Brown, who is pictured wearing what is allegedly believed to be Rihanna’s underwear atop his head.
Truth: A spokesperson for Brown has released an exclusive statement to ESSENCE.com denouncing any connection to the photos. “This is both a false and defamatory statement. Chris has not released or ‘leaked’ any photos of Rihanna (or anyone else for that matter).”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown has been sulking and depressed hiding from public scrutiny.
Truth: The Virginia native released a video featuring him and friend and rapper Bow Wow declaring “I’m not a monster” after adding a shameless plug for his upcoming album, “Graffiti.”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna hacked into Chris Brown’s computer and sent an e-mail blast declaring that his music career was officially over and suggested he start looking for a new gig.
Truth: Rihanna’s been so busy globe-trotting, enjoying New York and making public appearances to worry about being so meddlesome.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna allegedly will become a resident of the Big Apple’s SoHo neighborhood and hopes to enroll in acting classes to help her prepare for her film debut in “Personal Protection.”
Truth: Although reps for Rihanna say they’ve read those reports they still claim to not know anything about their pop princess’s foray into film. However, she has been in The City That Never Sleeps working on her album.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna exits Kanye West’s New York apartment following rumors that he broke up with short-lived girlfriend Amber Rose.
Truth: The whisperings of Ye and Ri dating have been resurfacing over the last couple of years, but one source claims they only have a work relationship as label mates.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: In addition to being romantically linked to L.A. Lakers player Andrew Bynum, the Barbadian beauty was allegedly spotted in a New York nightclub cuddling and kissing “Best I Ever Had” singer Drake.
Truth: Drake sets the rumor straight on New York radio station Hot 97 with DJ Cipha Sounds and says that he, Chris and Rihanna are all good friends, and while he’s honored he was chosen by the media to be her object of desire, there is no romance. Bynum has also denied that they have “a thing.”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown is allegedly dating Girlicious singer Natalie Mejia after the two are seen leaving Tattoo Mania in West Hollywood.
Truth: Browns rep issues statement to Us Weekly stating: “Chris left the recording studio with a songwriter named Dean. Natalie was with Dean. They went to a tattoo parlor. Dean was going to get a tattoo, but it was too busy so they left. Chris is not dating, nor is Natalie Chris’s girlfriend.”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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After Chris Brown’s second court appearance on April 6, much speculation surrounding he and Rihanna’s alleged domestic violence drama remains. ESSENCE.com takes a look at some of the outlandish rumors and sincere truths.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown is close to having a plea deal.
Truth: He entered a Los Angeles court for his arraignment in the alleged assault and threatening of former girlfriend Rihanna on April 6 and plead not guilty.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown is viewed as unfazed by allegations against him.
Truth: The teen was subdued and serious in all black as the judge read the felony crimes with what he is charged.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna runs to her Barbados homeland to avoid being involved in Chris’s second court appearance.
Truth: She heads home to Barbados on April 3 to celebrate her grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna is laying low following the incident.
Truth: The starlet continues to travel, including a trip to Hawaii for her first performance since February. She continues to record new music in preparation of her next album.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna parties like a rock star in Los Angeles and enjoys her new single status, flirting with stars like Wilma Valderrama.
Truth: Rihanna returns to the social scene in style, and heads home—alone.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown and Rihanna have a commitment ceremony hosted at Diddy’s Miami mansion.
Truth: The troubled couple meet at the mogul’s mansion to discuss their relationship and reconcile.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Judge orders Chris Brown not to communicate or visit Rihanna.
Truth: Brown can see Rihanna, however, she has a special order to record their conversations without his knowledge to use as evidence against him. Brown faces two felony charges of assault and making criminal threats.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Tina Davis, Brown’s manager, is allegedly the “unidentified” woman who texted Brown, sparking the heated and violent dispute between he and Rihanna.
Truth: First, Davis’s father goes on record saying that his daughter has never had a romantic liaison with Brown. Then, the next day Davis’s attorney releases a public statement on her behalf vehemently denying that she was an integral part of the violent lovers’ quarrel.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown goes to college.
Truth: While home in Virgina, he visited Norfolk State University with his mom to see a cousin and played some ball.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna and Chris Brown forced to split up.
Truth: Allegedly Rihanna takes a much-needed break on the advisement of her musical mentor Jay-Z and hangs out with his wife, Beyonce, and friend and singer Brandy Norwood in New York City.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown and Rihanna rush to the studio to record a duet called “Bad Girl.”
Truth: The song produced by Polow Da Don was recorded last year and was never meant to be released as a duet.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna and Chris Brown broke up a few weeks prior to the big fight.
Truth: The pair attended Clive Davis’s annual pre-Grammy soiree and left the event—together.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: On February 8, Chris Brown and Rihanna canceled their scheduled performances at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles after reports that the lovebirds had been in a car accident.
Truth: There was no car accident. Chris Brown reportedly fled the scene following an alleged violent domestic incident against an unidentified woman who is later identified as Rihanna. The Jive Records crooner turned himself in to LAPD on Sunday, February 8, and is now under investigation.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown holds a private meeting with family, friends and handlers and says he believes Rihanna will not press charges and that he will only receive fines for the alleged assault.
Truth: No one knows for sure whether this meeting ever occurred. However, despite reports that Rihanna would not pursue legal action against Brown, investigators said she’s cooperating with officials.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Jay-Z tells a source that Chris Brown is “a walking dead man.”
Truth: While talking to Phoenix reporters during All-Star Weekend, Jay-Z urges media to handle their coverage of the Rihanna/Chris Brown incident with “sensitivity,” but never publicly threatens Chris Brown.
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Paris Hilton sent Chris Brown a racy text message, which sparked the couple’s violent dispute.
Truth: The Hilton heiress denies any involvement in the Chris Brown and Rihanna debacle, professing: “I love Chris Brown. I love Rihanna. I’m friends with both of them. I wish her the best. She’s amazing.”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: A week following the allegations Chris Brown changes his relationship status on his Facebook to single.
Fact: A week after allegations that Chris Brown assaulted Rihanna, he releases a statement dispelling Internet rumors and Facebook profiles as “frauds.”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Doctored images of Rihanna’s bruises surface on Internet blogs.
Truth: TMZ.com publishes a photo of a battered woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Rihanna. The LAPD immediately launches an investigation of its department to uncover how the image was acquired. Although officials have yet to confirm that it’s the “Umbrella” singer, Rihanna’s father, Robert Fenty, criticizes police for their “sloppy work.”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Rihanna goes crazy during her two-week seclusion after the incident.
Truth: Two weeks after the alleged assault, Rihanna assures fans that she “remains strong, is doing well and deeply appreciates the outpouring of support during this difficult time.”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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Tabloid: Chris Brown offers an apology to Rihanna.
Truth: Although the 19-year-old “Forever” singer has not gone on record about what possibly happened between him and Rihanna, he expresses his remorse about “what transpired” and assures the public that he is seeking “counseling from his pastor.”
Chris Brown’s Lawyer Mark Geragos: ‘I Fight for the Underdog’ »
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