This morning singer Chris Brown shared a video on Instagram with the simple description “U SERIOUS?”

His post came after a surprise performance he was due to give at this years American Music Awards (AMA’s) was cancelled. The performance was with more than a dozen other dancers performing a tribute to Michael’s “Thriller” album on its 40th anniversary.

The AMA’s are due to go ahead tomorrow, November 20th. In the rehearsal video that Brown shared, he performs some very tight and strongly choreographed dance routines to a montage of “Beat It,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.” The performance is mimed and includes modern break dancing as well as performing Michael’s classic routines and a homage to some of his most famous dance moves.

In a comment on the video Brown went on to say;

“WOULDVE been the ama performance but they cancelled me for reasons unknown.”

It’s unclear and baffling as to why the AMA’s would scrap such a tribute that so many have clearly worked hard on. Online rumors speculate that it wasn’t actually the AMA’s that pulled the plug, but rather the TV station ABC who are airing the awards ceremony. In 2018 they aired a two-hour TV special called “The Last Days of Michael Jackson.” After it aired Michael Jackson’s Estate filed a lawsuit against ABC TV (and the Walt Disney Company who own it), alleging the companies used dozens of copyrights without permission. This rift between ABC TV and the Estate is possibly what has lead to this unfortunate decision.

We hope that Chris Brown and his dancers get the opportunity to perform this in front of a large audience soon, and get the recognition their hard work, and Michael’s legacy deserves.

Watch the full rehearsal:

Michael has a long history with the American Music Awards, including being given the prestigious “Artist of the Century” award in 2002. For “Thriller” specifically he won the below eight awards at the 1984 ceremony, as well as being honored with the “Award of Merit”:

• Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist
• Favorite Pop/Rock Album
• Favorite Pop/Rock Song (“Billie Jean”)
• Favorite Pop/Rock Video (“Beat It”)
• Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist
• Favorite Soul/R&B Album
• Favorite Soul/R&B Song (“Billie Jean”)
• Favorite Soul/R&B Video (“Beat It”)