History of Bobby Brown in Timeline

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Bobby Brown

Robert "Bobby" Brown is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer, renowned as a pioneer of new jack swing alongside Teddy Riley. He gained prominence as a founding member of the R&B/pop group New Edition, contributing to hits like "Candy Girl" and "Cool It Now." In 1985, Brown embarked on a solo career but later rejoined New Edition for their Billboard 200 chart-topping album, Home Again.

1980: Meeting Kim Ward

Around 1980, Bobby Brown met Kim Ward, with whom he had two children, La'Princia and Bobby Brown Jr.

June 22, 1986: Birth of Landon

On June 22, 1986, Bobby Brown's eldest child, Landon, was born to Melika Williams.

1988: Wearing Diaper Pants

In 1988, Bobby Brown wore a less sagging variation of diaper pants in music videos, such as "My Prerogative".

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1989: Acting Debut in Ghostbusters II

In 1989, Bobby Brown made his acting debut with a cameo appearance in the film Ghostbusters II, playing the Mayor's doorman.

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1989: Meeting Whitney Houston

In 1989, Bobby Brown met Whitney Houston at the Soul Train Music Awards when he was 20 years old.

1989: Popularizing the Roger Rabbit Dance

In 1989, Bobby Brown popularized the Roger Rabbit dance, as performed in the music video for his song "Every Little Step".

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1989: Wearing Diaper Pants

In 1989, Bobby Brown wore a less sagging variation of diaper pants in music videos, such as "Every Little Step".

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1989: Birth of La'Princia

In 1989, Bobby Brown's daughter La'Princia was born to Kim Ward.

1989: Start of Multiple Arrests

Since 1989, Bobby Brown has been arrested multiple times for various offenses.

1991: Proposal to Whitney Houston

In 1991, Bobby Brown proposed to Whitney Houston, marking a significant step in their developing relationship.

1991: Birth of Bobby Brown Jr. and End of Relationship with Kim Ward

In 1991, Bobby Brown's son Bobby Brown Jr. was born to Kim Ward, and their on-and-off 11-year relationship ended.

July 18, 1992: Marriage to Whitney Houston

On July 18, 1992, Bobby Brown married Whitney Houston at her estate, solidifying their relationship.

1992: Whitney Houston's Miscarriage

In 1992, Whitney Houston suffered a miscarriage.

1993: Birth of Bobbi Kristina Brown

In 1993, Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, was born.

1993: Kidnapping by the Preacher Crew

In 1993, Bobby Brown was allegedly kidnapped by the New York street gang the Preacher Crew over a $25,000 drug debt, with Whitney Houston paying a $400,000 ransom.

1994: Whitney Houston's Miscarriage

In 1994, Whitney Houston suffered a miscarriage.

1995: Guest Appearance in Panther and Role in A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

In 1995, Bobby Brown made a guest appearance in the film, Panther, and had a major role in the Martin Lawrence film, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.

1995: Drive-by Shooting Targeting Steven Sealy

In 1995, Bobby Brown was present when Steven Sealy, his sister's boyfriend, was targeted in a drive-by shooting and killed. Brown was unharmed in the incident.

1996: Whitney Houston's Miscarriage

In 1996, Whitney Houston suffered a miscarriage.

1999: Guinness World Record

Around 1999, Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston earned a Guinness World Record as the "most successful star couple".

2000: Grammy Award Acceptance Speech

In 2000, Whitney Houston thanked Bobby Brown during her acceptance speech for winning the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the 1999 hit, "It's Not Right but It's Okay".

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2001: Shooter's Plea Agreement

In 2001, John Tibbs, the shooter in the 1995 drive-by shooting that killed Steven Sealy, took a plea agreement.

2003: Battery Charge

In 2003, Bobby Brown was charged with battery after an altercation with Whitney Houston.

2005: Participation in the Reality Show Being Bobby Brown

In 2005, Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston participated in the reality show Being Bobby Brown, giving a picture of their lives behind the scenes.

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2005: Negotiations for Reality Series Being Bobby Brown

In 2005, Bobby Brown was in negotiations with Bravo for a reality series entitled Being Bobby Brown. The show was greenlit after Whitney Houston agreed to be part of the cast.

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September 2006: Houston Files for Legal Separation and Divorce

In September 2006, Whitney Houston filed for legal separation and later divorce from Bobby Brown.

2006: End of Being Bobby Brown

In 2006, Being Bobby Brown ended after one season because Whitney Houston would not appear in season two and Bravo and Brown could not settle on a new deal.

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April 24, 2007: Finalization of Divorce

On April 24, 2007, Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston's divorce was finalized, with Houston receiving custody of their daughter.

June 2007: Appearance on 24 Hours With...

In June 2007, Bobby Brown participated in the ITV television series 24 Hours With..., where he was interviewed by Jamie Campbell and threatened him on air.

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September 2009: Houston's Interview with Oprah Winfrey

In a September 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Whitney Houston admitted to sometimes using drugs with Bobby Brown and stated that Brown had been abusive during their marriage.

2009: Admission of Drug Use Prior to Meeting Whitney Houston

In 2009, Bobby Brown admitted in his Behind the Music documentary that he had been using cocaine prior to meeting Whitney Houston.

2009: Birth of Son Cassius

In 2009, Bobby Brown had a son named Cassius with his partner, Alicia Etheredge.

2009: Birth of Son with Alicia Etheredge

In 2009, Bobby Brown had a son with Alicia Etheredge.

May 2010: Engagement to Alicia Etheredge

In May 2010, Bobby Brown became engaged to Alicia Etheredge when he proposed during a performance at the Funk Fest in Jacksonville, Florida.

2011: Death of Carole Brown

In 2011, Carole Brown, Bobby Brown's mother, passed away.

January 2012: Death of Herbert "Pops" Brown

In January 2012, Herbert "Pops" Brown, Bobby Brown's father, died.

February 11, 2012: Death of Whitney Houston

Following the death of Whitney Houston on February 11, 2012, Bobby Brown struggled to perform at a New Edition show and was asked to leave Houston's memorial service.

May 2012: Interview with The Today Show

In May 2012, Bobby Brown gave an interview to The Today Show, stating that security was the reason he and his family left Whitney Houston's memorial service and that he had spent "14 beautiful years" with Houston as his wife.

June 18, 2012: Marriage to Alicia Etheredge

On June 18, 2012, Bobby Brown married Alicia Etheredge in Hawaii.

January 2015: Bobbi Kristina Found Unconscious

In January 2015, Bobby Brown's daughter Bobbi Kristina was found unconscious in her bathtub at her residence in Roswell, Georgia.

July 26, 2015: Death of Bobbi Kristina Brown

On July 26, 2015, Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of Bobby Brown, died at the age of 22.

2015: Birth of Daughter with Alicia Etheredge and Death of Bobbi Kristina Brown

In 2015, Bobby Brown had a daughter with Alicia Etheredge. Also in 2015, Bobbi Kristina Brown died.

2016: Birth of Daughter with Alicia Etheredge

In 2016, Bobby Brown had a daughter with Alicia Etheredge.

2017: Portrayal in The New Edition Story

In 2017, Bobby Brown was portrayed by Woody McClain in the miniseries The New Edition Story.

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2017: BET Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2017, New Edition, Bobby Brown's former group, received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET ceremony.

2018: Portrayal in The Bobby Brown Story

In 2018, Bobby Brown was portrayed by Woody McClain in the miniseries about his life, The Bobby Brown Story.

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November 18, 2020: Death of Bobby Brown Jr.

On November 18, 2020, Bobby Brown's son Bobby Jr. was found dead in his home due to an accidental overdose.

2020: Death of Bobby Brown Jr.

In 2020, Bobby Brown Jr., son of Bobby Brown, died.

2021: Participation in The Masked Singer

In 2021, Bobby Brown competed in season five of The Masked Singer as the wild card contestant "Crab". He was later eliminated on Week 7.

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May 2022: Airing of Biography: Bobby Brown and Bobby Brown: Every Little Step

In May 2022, Biography: Bobby Brown and Bobby Brown: Every Little Step began airing on A&E. Brown is an executive-producer of both the documentary-style and reality television series about his life.

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2022: Claim of Starting Diaper Pants Trend

In 2022, Bobby Brown claimed he started wearing the "diaper pants" that MC Hammer altered and made famous, on his A&E show Bobby Brown: Every Little Step.

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2022: Portrayal in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

In 2022, Bobby Brown was portrayed by Ashton Sanders in the Whitney Houston biopic, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody.

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