Update!

Chris Brown Suffers Rihanna-Powered Meltdown Backstage at GMA

Singer freaks out and walks off set after Robin Roberts questions him on the Rihanna beating incident

By Marianne Garvey Mar 22, 2011 5:37 PMTags
Chris Brown, Shattered WindowINFphoto.com

Somebody needs to chill.

Chris Brown blew his fuse during an appearance on Good Morning America today, with an ABC source telling E! News the singer "went ballistic" backstage after getting asked a question about his beatdown of Rihanna.

Brown, still on probation for the crime, started dropping F-bombs and tossing furniture and caused staffers to "feel scared," according to our insider.

So what exactly set him off?

Host Robin Roberts, who was just accused of being too soft during her recent interview with Tiger Woods and sticking to golf rather than probing into his personal life, sure went after it this morning.

After questioning Brown on his legal troubles stemming from the Rihanna attack, Brown at first tried to direct the interview towards his new music. But Roberts pressed on asking about the recent restraining order against the singer being modified.

Brown, still sporting his dyed-blond locks, said he's "past that" and instructed the audience to go get his new album, "F.A.M.E."

Roberts revisited the topic, and Brown, now visibly agitated, again tried to steer the conversation toward the music and his fans.

"He went ballistic, absolutely ballistic," says our ABC News source. "After Robin got a lot of criticism for Tiger, she pressed him. She was concerned after she was slammed for that. Chris thought he'd be asked one question, not pressed on it. They say, 'We'll ask you one Rihanna question,' but she kept asking follow-ups. He got off and went crazy."

The source says Brown marched right off the set, tore off his vest and shirt and stormed towards his dressing room, where he could be heard cursing and screaming, while hair and makeup staff gathered outside.

"He smashed a chair into a window and that glass is so thick, people heard shattering and security was called," said the source. "It was to the point where people were scared. The question is now how ABC will report it."

A New York police spokeswoman tells E! News that the cops have been alerted of the outburst from media calls but so far it is not a criminal matter.

"We're not aware of any incident at the location," the PIO said. "We were never called to the scene."

Twitter

Brown's rep didn't immediately comment but said a statement was coming soon. Brown addressed the incident via tweet ("I'm so over people bringing this past s--t up!!! Yet we praise Charlie Sheen and other celebs for there bulls--t.") but that post has since been deleted.

His only entry that seems to touch on the GMA meltdown is a shout-out to fans and a plug for his new tunes: "All my fans!!! This album is for you and only you!!! I'm so tired of everyone else!!"

Roberts also took to Twitter after the showdown: "Sure has been an interesting AM @GMA. Still sorting thru everything myself. Just my 2nd day on twitter, wonder what tomorrow will bring?"

Back in November, Brown received a glowing progress report from a Los Angeles judge, who called his rehabilitation "commendable."  He had been sentenced last summer to five years' probation, 180 days of community labor and a year-long domestic violence program following his plea deal in the Rihanna assault.

Last month, a Los Angeles judge eased the terms of the restraining order, allowing him contact Rihanna as long as he remains on his best behavior and doesn't annoy, molest or harass her.

(Originally published March 22, 2011, at 9:12 a.m. PT)