I hate to say I told you so…

According to US magazine, convicted woman beater Chris Brown used eye drops immediately before he took to the stage during the 2010 BET Awards to perform a teary-eyed tribute to Michael Jackson.

Brown’s tears failed to convince his critics in the mainstream media, which is who he needs in his back pocket if he hopes to mount a comeback.

Crocodile tears?

Chris Brown caused a lot of chatter at the BET Awards Sunday when he broke down in tears during a Michael Jackson tribute.

An insider tells UsMagazine.com the crying was fake.

Before he took the stage to belt out “Man in the Mirror,” a backstage source tells Us one of Brown’s bodyguards gave the singer, 21, tear-inducing eye drops.

Brown’s rep denies it, telling Us that this account is “completely untrue.” But the witness says Brown definitely used drops.

The Stans who think Brown made a comeback after his “triumphant” BET Awards PR stunt are the same ones who thought he was never gone in the first place.