Bobby Brown's past includes drug and assault charges, which affected his application for entry into New Zealand. Photo / Reuters
Promoters for bad-boy singer Bobby Brown claim immigration problems were partly behind his tour of New Zealand being cut to just one show.
Brown - whose troubled past includes drug charges and charges of battery against his former wife, singer and actress Whitney Houston - was due to
arrive in Auckland this morning before his show in Manukau tomorrow.
Brown topped the charts in the 80s and 90s with hits including Don't Be Cruel, My Prerogative and Every Little Step.
He was originally scheduled to perform twice in New Zealand but Showtime OPP Touring director Ashley Ratten said a Rotorua show was cut because of poor ticket sales and immigration problems.
Confused fans contacted the Herald after the cancellation of the Rotorua show asking if the Auckland show was going ahead.
Mr Ratten said they focused on getting permission for the singer to enter Australia first because of "negative press" in New Zealand.
Rotorua MP Steve Chadwick raised the singer's trip with Immigration Minister David Cunliffe this month, asking if Brown should be allowed in the country because of his past.
Brown's visa application had not reached officials when the story hit the headlines,.
Mr Ratten said the application was lodged about seven working days ago and he got confirmation the singer would be allowed in on Saturday.
A source close to the promoters said the controversy helped ticket sales. Numbers were not released but ticket sales "exceeded expectations".
"I heard they picked up with the news Bobby has had his visa approved," said Mr Ratten.
"We are here in Australia making sure we sell more tickets to the shows here."
