CHRIS BROWN SIGNS WITH WILHELMINA MODELING AGENCY

*Chris Brown is now a professional model – sort of.



Chris Brown has been one of the music industry's most controversial figures for several years. But that hasn't stopped the fashion industry from embracing him: Women's Wear Daily reports that Wilhelmina International has signed the performing artist to its agency.

Wilhelmina will work with Brown in its artist management division, which takes music and movie industry celebs and lands them endorsement deals, collaborations and product lines in the fashion and beauty world. Get ready, world: there could be a Chris Brown nail polish line/fragrance/clothing collection in our future.



The decision to sign Brown will inevitably raise eyebrows, as the singer has been inviting criticism since he pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna in 2009. Several music industry figures as well as his corporate partners (Wrigley's, Got Milk?) condemned Brown's actions at the time, even as Brown showed only intermittent signs of remorse (remember the jet-skiing pictures?).

But by 2010, he was back performing a Michael Jackson tribute at the BET Awards and releasing a new album and was performing at the MTV VMAs by 2011. In 2012, Brown took home a Grammy for best R&B album.

Taylor Hendrich, director of Wilhelmina's men's division, told WWD, “Chris Brown is a… multifaceted artist with a unique take on style, and we are excited to translate and extend his brand.” Clearly Brown has worked his way back into the graces of the music biz and much of the corporate world.

But does that make him a good partner for Wilhelmina? Let us know what you think.

Quick Poll

Should Wilhelmina International work with Chris Brown?

NO WAY! What he did is unforgivable and companies shouldn't be seeking to sign him.
SURE. The 2009 incident should have no bearing on his fashion/beauty endorsements today.