Ariana Grande fires back at Grammys producer, tells fans the real reason she won't perform or attend
Ariana Grande is setting the record straight about her disagreement with the Recording Academy. The “Thank U, Next” singer is nominated for two Grammys and was tapped to perform Sunday, but a report this week claimed she backed out after a disagreement with producers and will no longer attend the show. Neither the Recording Academy nor Grande publicly had commented on the speculation — until now.
Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich told the Associated Press Thursday that the Recording Academy wanted her to perform after having “conversations over the past month or so.”
“As it turned out when we finally got the point where we thought maybe it would work, she felt it was too late for her to pull something together for sure,” he claimed. “And it’s too bad. She’s a great artist. And I’d love to get her in the show this year.”
Grande is firing back at the assertion on Twitter calling his statement a lie. “I can pull together a performance over night and you know that Ken,” she tweeted. “It was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that I decided not to attend.”
i’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me. i can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. it was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more. 🖤
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 7, 2019
According to Variety‘s initial report, producers wouldn’t let Grande sing her latest record-breaking single “7 Rings” unless it was part of a medley and they got to pick the second song. Other artists purportedly didn’t have the same stipulation.
Grande added on Twitter: “I offered 3 different songs. it’s about collaboration. it’s about feeling supported. it’s about art and honesty. not politics. not doing favors or playing games. it’s just a game y’all … and i’m sorry but that’s not what music is to me.”
The Grammys have been heavily promoting Grande’s attendance ahead of the awards show — an irony that isn’t lost on the singer.
passed a Grammy’s bus with my face on it typing those.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 7, 2019
Despite the drama, Grande is still “grateful” to be nominated.
hope that helps everyone understand my decision. i am still grateful for the acknowledgement this year. 🖤
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 7, 2019
Grande isn’t the only artist to take issue with the Grammys. Ehrlich told the New York Times that Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino all turned down offers to perform this year.
“The fact of the matter is, we continue to have a problem in the hip-hop world,” the longtime producer of the show said. “When they don’t take home the big prize, the regard of the academy, and what the Grammys represent, continues to be less meaningful to the hip-hop community, which is sad.”
It’s unclear if the three artists, who are all up for major awards, will even attend the show.
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