Ousted Recording Academy president/CEO Deborah Dugan — the first female to hold that role in its 62-year history — recently appeared on Good Morning America with her attorney Doug Wigdor to discuss the bombshell allegations she made earlier this week.
On Tuesday (January 21), Dugan filed a discrimination complaint against the Academy alleging unlawful gender discrimination, sexual harassment, unlawful retaliation and unequal pay. Now Dugan says she has “evidence” the awards show is “ripe with corruption.”
During the interview with GMA co-host George Stephanopoulos, Dugan discussed the specific part of her complaint that alleges an artist was allowed to sit in on the song of the year nomination committee last year.
“There are incidents of conflicts of interest that taints the results… It’s not even just that one room,” she said. “I have evidence that in another room, cause there were complaints in the jazz category.”
As part of her complaint, Dugan also accused the Academy’s legal counsel and former board member Joel Katz of sexual harassment, which she addressed in the GMA interview.
She claims they were at a dinner where Katz referred to her as “babe” several times, commented on her physical appearance and tried to kiss her later in the evening. Katz has denied all claims.
Dugan also mentions she was informed former Grammys CEO Neil Portnow was facing an allegation of rape from a female recording artist and member of the Recording Academy. Portnow has denied any such incident took place as well, calling the allegation “ludicrous” and “untrue.”
Shortly after Dugan filed her complaint, the Recording Academy pushed back and said Dugan had created an unhealthy work environment for her fellow employees.
“It is curious that Ms. Dugan never raised these grave allegations until a week after legal claims were made against her personally by a female employee who alleged Ms. Dugan had created a ‘toxic and intolerable’ work environment and engaged in ‘abusive and bullying conduct,'” the statement from the academy read. “When Ms. Dugan did raise her ‘concerns’ to HR, she specifically instructed HR ‘not to take any action’ in response.
“Nonetheless, we immediately launched independent investigations to review both Ms. Dugan’s potential misconduct and her subsequent allegations. Both of these investigations remain ongoing.”
But Wigdor says that’s not the case. He insisted Dugan filed the initial discrimination complaint prior to being placed on administrative leave.
Hip Hop luminary Chuck D, whose group Public Enemy is expected to received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award this year, spoke out on Dugan’s behalf earlier this month, explaining he was disappointed to see the “same old jive” happening behind the scenes at the Academy.
Despite the controversy, Dugan says she’s still going to watch the annual awards show on Sunday (January 26).
“I worked very hard on the show, and I love the artists that are going to be performing,” she said. “And I love all those that are nominated that don’t get the honor of being on the show.”
Anyone with a brain knew this. They gave aoty to the heist over gkmc… lmao
Only reason is bc he made a song for fruitcakez and they wetr midgay agenda push. Sad
True. Which means its rigged.
Because award shows have to do with commercial success, not talent. It’s not that it’s rigged, it’s that it recognizes business success mainly.
Its the Grammys not some credible Hip Hop Award show. They go by numbers and radio play. The Heist had like 10 Pop Rap Radio Banger and gkmc didnt. Thats why it won
10 Pop Rap Radio Bangers ? lol dawg he had like one known song that was only relevant because it supported the LBGT movement. thats why he won. GKMC sold over 200,000 in the first week compared to the 70,000 the Heist did. IF it was about numbers like you said, Kendrick still should’ve won by a landslide
Busted in there with her white woman arrogance n got shown the door lmaoo
The evidence has been in the nominees and the winners.
“Testosterone-fueled” – Chuck needs to drop the Impossible Whopper and grow some balls. Complaining like a genuine woman. You’re a millionaire. You’re no victim.
I I hate my my step dad lmao
I feel like my toilets talking
CoverBoy needs a Grammy…type in CoverBoy SoundCloud ASAP! Best producer in the game!
Fuck hip hop scene…they watch all you post
“Who gives a F about a Grammy” then the hypocrite takes credit for pushing Hip Hop into the Grammys. Ridiculous. Why are the Grammys stooping so low and allowing trash in? Hip hop doesn’t belong there, never did. That’s what BET and MTV awards are for; stay in your lane. Just because they let the strays in, doesn’t mean they give a damn about your shit music.
The Grammys is corrupt and racist. I bet there’s payola involved. There needs to be big expose. For the Oscars too. Hiphop has no love for the fake Grammy’s
Please send me pics of your big white dicks. My vaginal is dripping for some white chocolate cock. 3175011543
Shaniqua is definitely a fat white dude.
Remember when Lil Weazel won all the awards like 11 years ago he had like 2 1/2 times more radio plays and internet buzz than any other artist S M H. That was the first Grammy that showed that a true quality artist would never min a award again like 4 years ago Scarface had the best song of the year of any genera of music with All Bad he even had the best album with Deeply Rooted and he did not even get nominated F the grammy’s
In order to be nominated for the Grammys, you have to submit yourself and pay for that submission. That lone should tell you that it’s not about quality.
You do NOT pay for submission. Labels will pay “for your consideration” campaigns but that is it. You do pay an annual fee for membership though.
Remember the reason Professor Griff was kicked out of Public Enemy. It was after a certain interview where he criticized certain ethnic group who are squatting illegally in the middle-east since 1948. Chuck D is more like Cuck D for kicking a guy out for speaking the truth!
What a shocker! No one knew this! They always pick quality over popularity! Lol, who cares about a Grammy anymore?
No shit captain obvious
They gave Macklemore the Grammy stead of Kendrick. Everyone saw that from a mile away. What more evidence do you need.
don’t talk to me about “change”. I am sorry but I do get a bit agitated. maybe I need a smoke.