Chris Brown’s Australian Promoter Sued Over Canceled Tour

Australian tour promoter Castor and Ford Agency Pty Ltd (CAFA) is being sued over the cancellation of Chris Brown’s four-city tour in December 2015.

Photo: Rich Fury / Invision / AP
Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, Calif.

Westgate Entertainment Pty Ltd, also based in Melbourne, filed a writ in the Victorian Supreme Court March 30 saying it is owed A$3.6 million ($2.7 million). It claims it paid more than A$2.6 million ($1.9 million) before the shows, and additionally loaned A$1 million ($765,000) in September 2015 to be returned by November that year.

According to court documents, the two companies signed a deal in June 2015, whereby Westgate Entertainment would provide 50 percent of tour-related expenses. In return it would be repaid its investment and get half of the profits from the tour.

Westgate’s own tours included Snoop Dogg. It claims CAFA has refused to return the money. CAFA has 10 days to respond. Both the Australian and New Zealand legs of Brown’s One Hell of a Nite Tour were nixed a week out, after the singer was refused an entry visa to Australia on character grounds.

Women’s rights groups campaigned to block Brown’s entry, citing his 2009 conviction for the assault of his then-girlfriend Rihanna.

Before the Government’s decision, Brown pleaded on Twitter, “I would be more than grateful to come to Australia to raise awareness on domestic violence, I am not the pink elephant in the room anymore.” He added, “My life mistakes should be a wake up call for everyone. Showing the world that mistakes don’t define you.”