Bobby Brown has cancelled a scheduled live appearance with New Edition in Nashville this evening (February 12, 2012) in order that he can fly to Los Angeles to comfort his daughter in the wake of her mother, Whitney Houston 's death yesterday. Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston married in 1992 but following a notoriously turbulent relationship together, they divorced in 2006.
Brown's scheduled appearance was part of the New Edition reunion concert tour. The manager of the Nashville Municipal Auditorium confirmed to E! News that "Bobby Brown will not be appearing tonight with the New Edition. New Edition and Gary Owen will commence the concert at 7 p.m" Bobby did manage to perform with the group last night in Southaven, where Brown asked the crowd to pray for his daughter and for Whitney Houston. He added "and if you find the time please say a prayer for me because I am going to need it." According to an attendee of the evening's show, "Bobby appeared to sob in between songs and the other members of New Edition would grab him and put their arms around him. Bobby would go off stage and come back on. He was very emotional."
Bobby and Whitney's 18 year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was rushed to hospital in Los Angeles after hearing of her mother's death. She reportedly suffered from a stress-induced panic attack. She has since been released from hospital. The E! Online article suggests that Bobby has flown back to Los Angeles to comfort his daughter.