In 2016, the music industry was abuzz when Zendaya collaborated with Chris Brown on the anticipated track, “Something New.” While the song garnered attention and resonated with fans, it was surrounded by a shroud of missed opportunities, chiefly the unreleased music video that was once teased. Interestingly, the track drew inspiration, sampling the melody from TLC’s 1994 hit “Creep” and even saw Zendaya pay homage to TLC’s T-Boz in the speculated video. However, whispers in the industry suggested Zendaya’s decision to shelve the video followed controversial remarks made by Brown about singer Kehlani. Zendaya’s silent move of unfollowing Brown on social platforms further fueled these speculations. Despite this, in a juxtaposition of admiration and controversy, a younger Zendaya had once defended her choice to work with Brown on the Grammy’s red carpet, praising his undeniable talent. This collaboration’s trajectory offers a layered look into the decisions and challenges artists face in the limelight.
