Ray J Battles Houston Family at Billboard Awards

While the world was enjoying a tribute from John Legend and Jordin Sparks to the late Whitney Houston, a secret battle was brewing between one of the singer’s friends and members of her family. According to TMZ, Ray J was asked to relinquish his seat at last night’s Billboard Music Awards by Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law. Before Pat took the stage with Whitney’s daughter, Bobbi Kris, Houston reportedly called security and asked them to remove Ray J because he was sitting too close to the Houston family for her liking. When Ray J refused, police became involved and warned Pat that the singer might have to be forcibly removed and it could cause a scene. Fearing a headline-making ruckus, Pat is said to have backed down.

Before Whitney’s untimely February death, the singer was often spotted with the younger brother of her apprentice Brandy leading to relationship rumors. Those rumors were only heightened this year when Houston got into an altercation with “X-Factor” contestant Stacy Francis over her much younger, bad boy crooner. “Whitney just got belligerent,” a witness told The Hollywood Reporter about the singer’s behavior. “Ray was trying to defend Stacy, telling Whitney, ‘Stacy’s family!’ but Whitney was feeling crowded out and hands were raised.”

The incident between Francis and Houston happened Feb. 10 at a pre-Grammy party. Houston died the very next day. Since her death, Ray has been criticized by the singer’s family and Pat Houston in particular for being a poor influence. “The dream she [Whitney] was chasing was younger,” Pat said referring Ray J in her famed Oprah Winfrey interview. “In my opinion, [he’s] a young man that’s thriving and loved to be out and about. And you’re dealing with an older woman who’s at home and just looking for the love and comfort.”

While they’re the latest, the Houstons aren’t the first people to take issue with Brandy’s brother, check out some other memorable Ray J beefs below. –danielle canada