Conflicting reports continue as Recording Academy president Neil Portnow says Lauryn Hill was scheduled to perform at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards despite reports that she wasn’t.
“It’s a disappointment to us and a disappointment to her,” Portnow says to USA Today. “Our intention was, and we were ready, right up to the moment of the performance, for her to step up on stage.”
Portnow explains that Hill was supposed to have a surprise appearance during The Weeknd’s performance at the awards ceremony Monday (February 15), but did not show up.
The singer’s representatives refute Portnow’s claims, saying that Hill was featured in advertisements for the show prior to its airing. The commercials were pulled at the team’s request. The reps reiterated their previous statement that Hill’s appearance was never confirmed.
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“In regards to the comments this morning from The Grammys, CBS did announce Ms. Hill’s performance, there were official Grammy television ads that ran for a couple of days naming Ms. Hill as a performer on the show,” the statement said per Billboard. “Her camp was unhappy about this. They had made it clear from the start that although Ms. Hill was going to attempt to make the show, she could not confirm, as there were too many logistical issues that could potentially prevent the performance from happening. The performance was also supposed to be a surprise. This was discussed with Grammy organizers, and the TV spots were pulled. As previously mentioned, Ms.Hill attempted a last minute rush to LA, to see if this could happen, but unfortunately timing that day kept it from being a reality. Ms. Hill truly appreciated the invitation, and the efforts made by all parties to try and make the performance happen.”
Portnow says that Hill was confirmed and that she showed up for dress rehearsal.
“She was there for it, completed it and left the building,” he says. “And then she did not get back in time to make the show. I’m sorry, that’s the bottom line. That’s the truth. That’s unfortunate. I guess those things happen.”
(This article was first published on February 16, 2016 and is as follows.)
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After Lauryn Hill was a no-show at the Grammys, a statement on her absence has been released.
Despite talks of a surprise appearance from Lauryn Hill, during The Weeknd’s performance at the Grammys last night (February 15), an appearance from the singer never came to fruition.
A statement obtained by Billboard.com has offered some insight into Hill’s absence. According to a rep for the singer, her performance was never approved of and would have been of “last minute nature” due to Hill’s hectic concert schedule.
“The Grammy’s announced a performance by Ms. Lauryn Hill prematurely and without approval,” the statement read. “Ms. Hill had concerts all weekend, leaving no time to prepare, and was uncertain she would even be able to make it to LA in time to rehearse for the event. Any performance that could have happened was never confirmed, and should not have been advertised as such. Ms. Hill was invited to do a collaboration with an artist she appreciates. The performance was intended to be a surprise and unfortunately due to its last minute nature, was unable to come to fruition.”
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The Weeknd went forward with his performance, performing both “In The Night” and “Can’t Feel My Face.”
In addition to The Weeknd, the Grammys featured performances from Kendrick Lamar, Adele, Pitbull, and a number of other artists.
