R&B singer Chris Brown was forced to cancel his tour in Australia and New Zealand after both countries denied him a visa, reported Agence France-Presse. Officials cited Brown's 2009 assault against then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, as the reason he is banned from entering the countries.
"Mr. Brown and the promoters both remain positive that the tour will take place in the near future," Brown's promoter wrote in a statement posted to Australian ticketing company Ticketek's official Facebook page. "Mr. Brown wishes to express his deepest gratitude to the fans for their support and looks forward to a successful tour in the near future."
Michaelia Cash, the Minister for Women in Australia, made it clear in a statement released in September that Brown was not welcome in the country because of his character, as previously reported by HNGN. Cash also cited Brown's history of domestic violence in her statement.
Brown assaulted Rihanna in a car in February 2009 and was sentenced to five years' probation, along with 180 days of community labor and a year-long anti-domestic violence program, according to AFP. His probation has since been lifted, and Brown has attempted to move on from his criminal past.
"I would be more than grateful to come to Australia to raise awareness about domestic violence," Brown tweeted in September. "My life mistakes should be a wake up call for everyone. Showing the world that mistakes don't define you. Trying to prevent spousal abuse."
See Ticketek Australia's Facebook post and Brown's tweets below.
