Chris Brown BOOED at AMAs 2022: Kelly Rowland Defends Him: ‘You Need to Chill’ (Video)

Kelly Rowland leaped to Chris Brown‘s defense when he was loudly booed after winning the Favorite Male R&B Artist award at the 2022 American Music Awards on Sunday.

Brown, pictured at the AMAs in 2008, won the honor days after complaining that his Michael Jackson tribute was nixed at the last minute by AMA organizers.

Brown protested the AMAs by not showing up. So Rowland graciously accepted the coveted trophy in his absence.

“Now Chris Brown is not here tonight so I’m accepting this award on his behalf,” she said, before the audience began booing.

“Excuse me… chill out,” she said, before adding: “But I wanted to tell Chris, thank you so much for making great R&B music and I want to tell him thank you for being an incredible performer.”

“I’ll take this award — bring it to you. I love you. Congratulations. And congratulations to all the nominees in this category.”

Brown beat out R&B crooners GIVEON, The Weeknd, Brent Faiyaz and Lucky Daye for the honor.

Pop/Country singer Taylor Swift was the night’s big winner, taking home six trophies, including the Artist of the Year award.

She won her seventh career Artist of the Year award, and became the first singer in AMAs history to win 40 trophies.

Swift surprised her fans by showing up to the AMAs wearing a shimmering gold backless jumpsuit.

Other winners include Nicki Minaj (Favorite Female Hip-Hop Artist).

Nicki, pictured at the AMAs in 2015, earned bragging rights over Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Latto and newcomer GloRilla.

Beyonce won Favorite Female R&B Artist over Doja Cat, Muni Long, Summer Walker and SZA. Beyonce also took home the Favorite R&B Album for Renaissance.

Rapper Future Hendrix won Favorite Hip-Hop Song for his single “Wait For You,” alongside his collaborators Drake and Tems. Future denied trophies for Jack Harlow (“First Class”), Kodak Black (“Super Gremlin”), Latto (“Big Energy”), and Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow (“INDUSTRY BABY”).

Music legend Lionel Richie accepted the Icon Awards at the 2022 AMAs.

Actress and former YouTuber Dove Cameron won New Artist of the Year over Latto and Steve Lacy. Her single “Boyfriend” was embraced by the gay community. Cameron dedicated her trophy to the LGBT+ community following the tragic shooting in Colorado that left 5 people dead and 25 more wounded at Club Q in Colorado Springs on Saturday night.

See the list of winners below.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Dove Cameron

FAVORITE POP SONG: Harry Styles – As It Was

FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM: Taylor Swift – Red

FAVORITE MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST: Kendrick Lamar

FAVORITE FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST: Nicki Minaj

FAVORITE MALE R&B ARTIST: Chris Brown

FAVORITE FEMALE R&B ARTIST: Beyonce

FAVORITE MALE LATIN ARTIST: Bad Bunny

FAVORITE FEMALE LATIN ARTIST: Anitta

FAVORITE ROCK ARTIST: Machine Gun Kelly