Chewing gum producer Wrigley suspended on Monday an ad featuring singer Chris Brown following the 19-year-old’s arrest on suspicion of assaulting a woman broadly said to be his girlfriend, Rihanna.

 

The presentable R&B singer, who gained widespread popularity during the past couple of years, was released after posting a $50,000 bail. Police sources told the Los Angeles Times and celebrity Web site TMZ.com that the person who reported she had been assaulted by Chris Brown early on Sunday was none other than 20-year-old musician Rihanna, whose entire name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. This would explain why both stars canceled separate performances at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.

 

An unnamed person also told the Los Angeles Times that Rihanna was cooperating with authorities in the investigation of the alleged domestic violence case. In addition, according to police sources, the apparent dispute, which took place after a pre-Grammy Awards party, left Chris Brown’s girlfriend with several bruises and a scratch on her face. The singer was reportedly treated at a “major medical facility.”

 

Wrigley explained in a statement that it was “concerned by the serious allegations” Chris Brown was confronting, as the young singer had been detained by police on suspicion of making a felony criminal threat. Moreover, the company said that it would hang up the existing commercial featuring Chris Brown until the problem is resolved.

 

Chris Brown, who had received several Grammy nominations and was even competing against Rihanna in a certain category, served as a spokesman for Doublemint gum, while his song “Forever” was used on the advertising campaign.

 

Furthermore, the singer is a pitchman for the “Got Milk?” campaign, in which celebrities usually pose with a milk mustache. The Milk Processor Education Program explained that his contribution was due to end this week. “The Milk Mustache campaign is taking the allegations against Chris Brown very seriously,” the group said in a statement, adding that the company cared about the image of the campaign and the “responsible message it sends to teens.”

 

The unpleasant incident allegedly took place on a quiet block in Hancock Park, where Chris Brown had stopped the rented Lamborghini he was driving. As reported by various sources, several people witnessed the confrontation. The vehicle was seized because the alleged attack may have started inside the car. Los Angeles prosecutors are considering whether to formally charge the 19-year-old, who could actually spend three years behind bars if sentenced, legal sources said.

 

Rihanna’s publicist released a brief statement on Sunday, which reported that Rihanna was “well” and thanked everyone for “concern and support.”