The 61st Annual Grammy Awards are coming up and it sounds like the Recording Academy has just lost one of their most valued promoters for it.
Ariana Grande has dropped out of this year’s event according to Variety. As a result of a disagreement with some of the Grammy producers, the 25-year-old apparently cancelled her rumoured performance.
The Bang Bang singer was reportedly taken aback after the producers wouldn’t allow her to perform her latest single 7 Rings, in its entirety.
When Grande refused their offer, the producers allegedly said she could play a portion of the song as part of a “medley,” as long as they could choose the other songs. It was at that point the singer declined the spot altogether.
Not only that, but Grande has now refused to even make an appearance at the award ceremony.
The reports are breaking the hearts of many Arianators across the globe.
READ MORE: Ariana Grande responds to accusations of cultural appropriation over Japanese tattoo
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Grande’s alleged performance was never actually announced by the Recording Academy, which means it was likely intended as a surprise, given she was the biggest and most successful female artist of 2018.
However, the pop sensation was littered across L.A. Billboards for the long-awaited event,
This type of controversy isn’t unfamiliar in the Grammys. Compromises like this have been made a number of times in the show’s history.
Most notably last year, with Lorde. The Royals singer was offered only a small slot during the Tom Petty tribute performance.
She took offence to this offer, as she wanted to promote her latest album, Melodrama (2017). An agreement was not met and she ultimately declined the spot and did not perform.
Grande is now a six-time Grammy nominee. Two of those nods came this year, for “Best Pop Solo Performance” on God is a Woman, as well as “Best Pop Vocal Album” for Sweetener (2018).
Her highly-anticipated follow-up album, Thank U, Next is scheduled to be released this Friday (Feb. 8) only two days prior to the Grammys.
The entire list of 2019 Grammy nominations was announced in early December. Post Malone, Lady Gaga and Cardi B took the lead with the most nods. The list is available here.
Chart-toppers Drake and Shawn Mendes made Canadians proud by also picking up multiple nominations for this year’s Grammy Awards.
Alicia Keys is set to be this year’s Master of Ceremonies.
READ MORE: Ariana Grande releases new single, ‘7 Rings’ with music video
The 61st Annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. ET.
Here is the current list of performers
Red Hot Chili Peppers & Post Malone
Miley Cyrus
Diana Ross
Cardi B
Shawn Mendes
Camila Cabello
Ricky Martin
Janelle Monáe
Brandi Carlile
Kacey Musgraves
H.E.R.
Maren Morris
Dan + Shay
Little Big Town
Exclusive Grammys after-party lineup
TLC
En Vogue
Kurt Elling
DJ Michelle Pesce
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