Bobby Brown isn’t afraid to speak his mind. The self-proclaimed King of R&B recently released his memoir Every Little Step and spilled some serious tea about his upbringing, his New Edition days, and his marriage to music legend Whitney Houston.

In an illuminating 20/20 interview to promote the book, Brown anger Houston’s mother, Cissy, who criticized her former son-in-law for speaking ill of her daughter.

“I saw Bobby Brown’s interview with Robin Roberts. It was disturbing. Although the interview was supposed to promote HIS autobiography, he never spoke about his parents and siblings and any issues they might have or have had that impacted and may continue to impact on ‘Every Little Step’ he takes,” Houston said in a statement earlier this month. “Instead he chose to concentrate his comments primarily on Whitney. I can’t help but wonder why.”

Sunday night, Brown stopped by the BET Awards media room and discussed the critics who’ve been outspoken about his decision to write so candidly about his life.

“When you take excerpts from a book, you’re only getting one piece. With my book, you have to read it cover to cover in order to understand exactly what I’m talking about,” the singer explained of his New York Times best seller. “I don’t downgrade nobody; I don’t do any bashing of anybody. My book was about 47 years of my life.”

Brown added: “If they get the book then they’ll realize the book ain’t about them; it’s about me.”

Brown’s challenges have been public knowledge for years. Between his multiple arrests, substance abuse issues, marriage to Houston, and his on-again-off-again relationship with his New Edition band mates, Brown’s troubles have been on display for all to see. However, in Every Little Step, Brown takes readers behind the headlines to give them the real deal, as he knows it. While some wonder why Brown is spilling all the secrets now, the crooner said he wants to help others by showing how he’s become a better man after dealing with so much adversity.

“This book is so important to me because, out of all of the trial and tribulations that I’ve been through, I’m still standing in front of you,” he said. “That says something for my beliefs and my faith in my higher power. This book will help a lot of people.”

In addition to the book, Brown is working on new music and is gearing up for the release of BET’s miniseries about the group that launched his career, New Edition. While some have questioned his loyalty to his squad, Brown has been intimately involved in the film project, which he called “excellent.”

“I can’t wait for the people to see it,” Brown said, noting he’s also a producer of the three-part series and has visited the set several times during filming.

The verdict? Fans are going to love it.

“When you see these actors, it’s going to blow your mind,” Brown said. “I didn’t think anybody was able to play me…but it was a beautiful sight to see.”

All of the New Edition members have been heavily involved in the film, which stars Empire’s Bryshere Gray (Mike Bivins), Elijah Kelley (Ricky Bell), Algee Smith (Ralph Tresvant), Keith Powers (Ronnie Devoe), R&B singer Luke James (Johnny Gill), and newcomer Woody McClain as Bobby Brown.

Ronnie Devoe told EBONY the experience of seeing someone portray his life was “surreal,” and Brown had nothing but praise for the production.

“When people see it they’re really going to be impressed,” he said. “They’re really going to see who New Edition is.”


Britni Danielle is the Senior Digital Entertainment & Culture Editor for EBONY.com & JETmag.com. Catch her tweeting @BritniDWrites.