How sweet was this! Chris Brown didn’t let a paparazzi chase which led to a car crash get in the way of his attending a performance at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and then awarding 11 scholarships, instead of just five, to talented young people.
Chris Brown made news on Feb. 9 when he crashed his Porsche after being chased by paparazzi. But what very few people knew at that time was that he was on the way to the renowned Debbie Allen Dance Academy to award scholarships to five teenaged Dance Academy finalists, funded by Chris’s Symphonic Love Scholars program.
Chris Brown Doubles His Philanthropic Generosity
Despite being involved in the crash, Chris arrived in “great spirits and focused on the kids and being there,” according to an eyewitness at the event.
“He focused on being present and encouraging the kids. He’s able to see their unique abilities,” the eyewitness told HollywoodLife.com exclusively.
As it turned out, Chris was so impressed by a dance performance by all 11 finalists for his Symphonic Love Scholarships that he decided he didn’t want to have to choose just five students.
“He saw how devastated the kids would be if they weren’t chosen and he decided on the spot to more than double the scholarships to 11,” the eyewitness reports. “The kids were so excited they were crying.”
Now all 11 students who came from low-income families will be able to train six days a week (after school and on Saturdays) at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) and be able to perform in the annual DADA concert and also be able to participate in various auditions.
Debbie Allen: Chris Brown ‘Has Found A Purpose Beyond Stardom’
Chris established the Symphonic Love Foundation scholarships because “he understands the scholarships provide opportunities and he knows that dance can change people’s lives — it can be transformative,” Debbie Allen, the artistic director and founder of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, told HollywoodLife.com exclusively.
“Chris understands that young people deserve the opportunity” to have artistic expression, explains Debbie Allen. “It’s very sad that arts programs are one of the first things cut in most public schools in low-income neighborhoods.”
Miss Allen also pointed out that “Chris is taking the time to be physically present [at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy] and to develop a relationship with the kids.”
“It’s one thing to give a scholarship, but it’s another to come in,” Miss Allen told HollywoodLife.com. “Chris has found a purpose beyond his own stardom with this.”
She said that Chris was so inspired by watching the students who are between 15 and 18 perform, that he said he “felt like he needed to start stretching after he saw them.”
He also told a whole group of about 60 students who attended the performance that he wants them in his next video, and he stayed and talked and took photos with the students.
Chris On The Teen Dancers: ‘They Are All Beautiful’
Chris later said about awarding the DADA scholarships: “everyone has their own unique creativity. One way of being isn’t better than another. I’m not judging the finalists, I’m here to inspire and motivate. I could see in their faces and in their energy that they have the drive and the dream. They are all beautiful.”
Chris’s visit to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy came after a couple of tough weeks for the singer. Aside from the car crash, he was also in court on Feb. 6 dealing with questions on his community service during probation and before that he was involved in a dispute with Frank Ocean on Jan. 27.
‘ This is the Real Chris Brown’
Nevertheless, he didn’t let any of those concerns affect him when he was at the Dance Academy.
“He shakes it off when he’s there with the kids and he keeps focusing on the positive and channeling it into creativity,” reveals a source close to Brown. “Listen, it affects him. It hurts. He’s a human being but when Chris more than doubles scholarships to deserving kids — that’s absolutely the real Chris Brown. People who know him, know the creativity and generosity that comes from his heart.”
Good for you, Chris!
And also good for you for participating on Saturday, Feb. 16, in NFL star Adrian Peterson’s All Day Foundation event to support the Texas Council of Family Violence and Cornerstone Minneapolis.
We’re glad to see you using your star power to make such a positive impact on the lives of young people. Don’t you agree, HollywoodLifers?
– Bonnie Fuller
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