The singer, furious about the interview, says he "wanted to release the anger inside me"

He felt ambushed and just wanted to blow off some steam.

That’s Chris Brown’s explanation – wrapped in an apology – for why he threw a tantrum backstage after a Good Morning America interview on Tuesday.

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Brown, 21, issued the apology during a live appearance on BET’s 106 and Park on Wednesday night, saying he didn’t realize Robin Roberts was going to ask about his 2009 assault against then-girlfriend Rihanna.

“First of all, I want to apologize to anybody who was startled in the office, anybody who was offended or really disappointed in my actions, because I was disappointed in the way I acted,” Brown said, according to USA Today.

The singer then said he and ABC had settled on talking points for the interview that focused exclusively on his new album. “When the interview proceeded, I was thrown off,” he said. “I felt like, OK, they told us this to get us on the show and exploit me. I took it very, very hard.”

He continued: “I kept my composure throughout the whole interview … And when I got back, I just let off steam in the back. I didn’t physically hurt anyone. I just wanted to release the anger inside me. I felt like I worked so hard for this music … I got very emotional.”