Written by | Ray Cornelius
Bobby Brown is still that dude! The 47-year-old Grammy winning-performer, actor, dancer and reality star can still make the ladies swoon and cry as he did Thursday night at Atlanta’s Barnes & Nobles bookstore. The “My Prerogative” singer was at the Edgewood location taking pictures and autographing copies of his new book, Every Little Step, which debuted on June 13.
Every Little Step is Brown’s attempt at setting the record straight about his nearly 40-year-career in the entertainment industry and takes a deeper look into his very public battle with drugs, alcohol and mental illness. The book also exposes intimate details about his tumultuous marriage to pop music icon, Whitney Houston, including claims that the “I Will Always Love You” singer was indeed bisexual and had a romantic relationship with her former assistant and best friend Robyn Crawford. He also reveals in the book that Houston had an extramarital affair with the late rapper, Tupac Shakur. In true Brown fashion, he also brags about some of his sexual conquests including trysts with the material girl herself, Madonna and his ultimate childhood crush, Janet Jackson. But despite criticism the book has already received, die-hard fans still lined up and down the bookstore aisles waiting to see Brown, like Ingrid Franklin of Atlanta. She not only came out singing his praises but she says she’s always admired his bad boy persona.
“He’s Bobby Brown and he says and does what he wants to do and you gotta love him for it,” says Franklin in her throwback Bobby Brown t-shirt. “He may not be perfect but he does what he wants to do!”
Keisha Archer of Atlanta, was another fan who came out to get up close and personal with the self-proclaimed ‘King of R&B.” She admits that Brown’s music is the soundtrack to her and her sister’s teenage years.
“His music reminds me of my sister and I being younger and listening to it over and over and over again. (LOL) When I hear songs like, ‘Tender Roni,’ I automatically think of an old playlist I used to have,” says Archer. “I’m 36 going on 37 and I feel like I’ve known him all my life. I’m also a huge New Edition fan and have been since day one.”
Nykia Cheeks, left work early so that she could get in line by 6 p.m. to meet Brown, who arrived at the store at 7 p.m. Grinning from ear to ear and holding his book close to her heart, Cheeks says she’s been a fan ever since seeing him perform during the “N.E. Heartbreak Tour” at the tender age of seven.
“My first concert was seeing him along with New Edition and Al. B Sure. My mother got my tickets and I saw him at the New Haven Coliseum.” Like so many of his fans, she too was attracted to his raw and edgy appeal.
“He did everything he wanted to do his way. He didn’t care about anything that anyone said about him and he still was Bobby. That authenticity of how he is was what I liked the most. He’s had a lot of dirt thrown at his name but he still remains Bobby.”
Bobby’s siblings, Tommy and Leolah Brown, were also present at the signing along with other relatives and close friends. Check out more photos below and click here to get your copy of Every Little Step.
Bobby Brown kissing one of his adoring fans on the cheek
Felicia Simon of “Unique Sweets by Felicia” baked a cake for her idol
Unfortunately, Simon was not allowed to personally deliver the cake to Brown
Leolah Brown came out to support her brother Bobby
Bobby Brown signing Indrid Franklin‘s “Bobby Brown” concert shirt
Brown taking a picture with Shawn Mitchell of Atanta Metropolitan State College
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com