The Recording Academy apologizes to Tiffany Haddish after she denied hosting the 63rd Grammy Awards with no compensation.
What We Know:
- Actress, comedian, and author Tiffany Haddish turned down the offer to host the Grammy Awards pre-telecast Premiere. Haddish is known for her breakout role in 2017’s Girls Trip. She also earned an Emmy for her work on SNL as a host. She is nominated for her second Grammy this year for best comedy album for Netflix’s “Black Mitzvah”. She received her first Grammy nomination in 2018 for spoken word for “The Last Black Unicorn”.
- She turned down the offer after they told her she would have no compensation for hosting the three-hour event. Additionally, Haddish would have to pay for her hair, makeup, and wardrobe out of her pocket.
- In an interview with Variety, she revealed why she turned down the offer and spoke about her thoughts on the incident. “I don’t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it’s disrespectful.” Haddish continued, “I was like, ‘The exposure is amazing, but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking’. And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that’s not okay.”
- In response, a representative for the Recording Academy told Variety that the Premiere Ceremony is not-for-profit and that all hosts, presenters, and performers usually perform for free. “This is something that needs to be addressed,” Haddish said. She questioned, “How many other people have they done that to?”
- Recording Academy Interim President and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. also publicly apologized to Haddish in an Instagram video Thursday morning. Mason explained that a talent booker incorrectly told Haddish that the academy wouldn’t cover the costs. Mason said, “I’m frustrated by that decision. It was a lapse in judgment, it was in poor taste, and it was disrespectful to the creative community. I’m part of the creative community. I know what that feels like, and it’s not right.”
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- Mason told USA Today, “I apologized to her personally, and I apologized to her from the academy, I expressed to her my regret and my displeasure about how this went down and about how this was handled,” Mason said. “Again, I want to say, Tiffany, we are sorry, and thank you for allowing me to speak on it.”
The 63rd annual Grammys will premiere on January 21st, 2021. The recording Academy said that Haddish’s response would not affect any future nominations.
