Brandy leaves Chicago show mid set Monica finishes

Brandy walked off stage midperformance Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, abruptly ending the second headlining stop of The Boy Is Mine tour and leaving coheadliner Monica to finish the concert alone, organizers and attendees said. The departure occurred shortly after the pair began their set; video from the arena shows Brandy appearing frustrated with her sound, telling the crowd, "Give me one second yall, I gotta get my," before walking backstage and not returning.

Monica completed the remainder of the scheduled songs without her tour partner, and the show concluded without the duo performing their 1998 hit "The Boy Is Mine." Concertgoers reported a period of confusion after Brandy left, saying lights were brought up and the venue instructed the audience to exit. Attendees posting on social media described waiting 20 to 30 minutes without explanation and sought information from the artists and venue about the abrupt ending.

On Sunday, Brandy issued a statement attributing her exit to dehydration, according to a release from her camp. Representatives for Brandy and Monica did not provide additional comment in response to requests from news organizations. Tour...