Brandy apologizes after abruptly exiting her Chicago show with Monica

19 October 2025

Monica (left) and Brandy (right) in April 2012. Fred Lee/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

When Brandy took to the stage alongside Monica at Chicago’s United Center on October 18 as part of their The Boy Is Mine Tour, fans expected a celebration of their decades-old chart-topping duet and a full night of beloved R&B memories. Instead, the night ended hours earlier than anticipated when Brandy unexpectedly walked off mid-set, leaving Monica to finish the show solo and leaving the duo’s signature hit unheard.

Videos posted to social media show Brandy mid-song, pausing to address the crowd with “Give me one second, y’all, I gotta get my …” before walking backstage and not returning. One attendee wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Brandy walked off stage & said some like ‘give me a sec yall’ … We never saw her again. Monica came out, sang and left. No bye, no nothing.”

The next day Brandy took to Instagram to issue an explanation and an apology. She said that after “weeks of nonstop rehearsals” she experienced dehydration and faint-like symptoms, and that even though she tried to power through, technical issues and her condition prevented her from performing at full capacity. She thanked Monica for stepping in with “grace and professionalism” and assured fans she was seeking medical attention, promising to return for the next show in Indianapolis stronger and more grateful.

From the crowd’s perspective the abrupt ending was confusing and disappointing. Many came expecting the long-teased revival of the song “The Boy Is Mine” a staple of the opening dates of the tour only to leave without that climactic moment. The unexpected exit and absence of the signature track left the evening feeling incomplete to many in attendance.

For Brandy and Monica this tour marked more than just concerts. It symbolised reconciliation and legacy. The two singers, whose 1998 collaboration ignited rumors of rivalry and launched one of R&B’s enduring hits, had publicly moved past their history and launched this tour as a statement of sisterhood and artistry. Rewind to that era and the media fed heavily into their competition; now the event was framed as healing and celebration.

In her statement Brandy referenced the physical toll of performance, particularly after rigorous rehearsal schedules and the production demands of a large-scale tour. Her message touched on the idea that personal health sometimes intersects with performance in unpredictable ways. She wrote, “Everyone involved agreed that prioritising my well-being was of the utmost importance.”

Monica’s role that night also took on added significance. Without Brandy on stage to deliver part of the set and the expected duet finale, Monica carried the show to its conclusion. Social media tracked fans’ reactions, and within hours Brandy’s statement was reshared by Monica on her Instagram Stories, signalling public support and mutual respect behind the scenes.

While the incident is likely to become a footnote in the tour’s wider narrative, it raises broader questions about the relationship between performer and audience, especially when expectations are high. For fans, attending a show promises presence and continuity of experience. When one of the headliners exits mid-performance, the trust between artist and audience is tested. Brandy’s public apology and Monica’s professionalism together aim to restore that trust as the tour progresses.

The tour’s momentum remains strong: the Chicago stop was early in the schedule but widely covered as a comeback moment for two artists who shaped the R&B soundscape. Despite the disruption, both singers have voiced commitment to the remainder of the tour. Brandy’s message framed the moment as one of accountability and forward momentum: “I look forward to returning to the stage stronger and more grateful than ever alongside my girl, Monica.”

For insiders in the music business the incident is also a reminder of how live performance is unpredictable and how even seasoned professionals can be affected by health, production, or technical issues. The tour is a high-stakes enterprise: lighting, sound, choreography and vocals all need to align. When one element falters, the ripple effect can affect the entire audience experience.

As the tour moves on to Indianapolis and beyond, the duo’s response to this moment will shape perceptions of the remainder of the run. A rooted statement of gratitude, transparency and renewal positions the incident as a hiccup rather than a derailment. For fans who admire Brandy and Monica not only as entertainers but as icons of voice and journey the hope remains that the next show will deliver both the hits and a continued sense of connection.