Bobby Brown: Why he left Whitney Houston's funeral

Bobby Brown stands outside prior to the funeral services for Whitney Houston at the New Hope Baptist Church on Feb. 18, 2012, in Newark, N.J.

/ Bennett Raglin/Getty

(CBS/AP) Whitney Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown, briefly appeared at her funeral before leaving. He looked upset as he left the service.

Now, we know why.

Brown says in a statement released Saturday afternoon that he and his children were seated but asked repeatedly to move. The New Edition singer says he left because he didn't want to create a scene.

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He released a statement explaining, "My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions. I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi-Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how."

Brown arrived as the service began. He walked to the casket, touched it and walked to the back of the New Jersey church Saturday.

Houston and Brown were married for 15 years and have one daughter together. Brown has four  children by other women.

[dnamj]

I think it sucks that there is this negative story when that funeral was so amazing. Bobby can do whatever he wants, I really don't care. He will not have a memorial like this. Stevie and the Choir was about as fitting a tribute as I could ever expect.

[mariannpepit]

Where is my reply to the first message. Lately you haven't been posting my comments.

[mari1963]

Hey Bobby, today wasn't about you or your children, who had no business being at the funeral in the first place. YOU shouldn't have been at the funeral. You were the reason Whitney did drugs - you should be ashamed to show your face in public. Go home, loser!

[mariannpepit]

You are wrong. Bobby Brown was invited by her family to be there because his daughter wanted him there. They should not have been so ignorant to ask him to move 3 times. He belonged in the front with his daughter. So, he brought his current wife, what is the big deal. Of course, he would not leave her home. Bobby loved Whitney and she loved him and that love was still there with Witney but he remarried. He didn't start her on drugs. You don't do drugs unless you want to do them. She was old enough to know better and what they could do to her.

[erasmus111]

I do believe that Bobby Brown is a scumbag, but the fact is that Whitney had done drugs before him.

He may have been invited to the funeral, but I doubt that his entourage was invited. He had no business being there with them.

[haywood1105]

If Bobby Brown came to the funeral OR if he decided not to go, people would get on his case no matter what..."it would be damned if he did, damned if he don't...he couldn't win". If he HAD NOT showed up people would be saying "Why aren't you in NJ and the funeral for your daughter!?
People have to remember, he and his children, which is Bobbi Christina's half-siblings, WAS INVITED. Security kept moving them...we don't know, it was said that in the last seating he was two rows behind Bobbi Kristina, which is the famiy side...maybe when he and his family first came in and sat in the wrong area not knowing.

[erasmus111]

If he wasn't wanting to cause a scene, or draw attention to himself, then he wouldn't have brought his "entourage", and he wouldn't have arrived as the service was beginning and then walk up to the casket.

He then left because he accomplished what he had set out to do.