Grammys hit by sex scandal just three days before ceremony as CEO accuses former boss of raping female artist
WITH just three days until the Grammy Awards, the biggest night in music has been plunged into crisis.
The Grammys’ former CEO Deborah Dugan has accused the ceremony’s former boss Neil Portnow of raping a female artist and claimed she was sexually assaulted by an executive during her six months in the job.
In the 44-page legal complaint, Dugan also alleged the nominations for the annual ceremony, which takes place in Los Angeles on Sunday, are rigged.
It comes one week after Dugan was herself suspended on a charge of misconduct over claims she had been “abusive and bullying”.
In response to her allegations, the Academy said: “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.”
Ms Dugan also accused the Recording Academy of corruption in its voting procedures.
She claimed the songs of artists sitting on the nominations committee are shortlisted for prizes even if they received fewer votes.
Portnow described the sex claims as “inaccurate, false and outrageous and terribly hurtful”.
He added that he had been “completely exonerated” by an independent investigation once the claims were brought to the attention of the Academy Board of Directors Executive Committee.
Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Billie Eilish, Jonas Brothers and Aerosmith are among the superstar talent set to perform on Sunday.
After this, the ceremony could make for uncomfortable viewing.
bizbit
RISING singer Twinnie will release debut album Hollywood Gypsy, featuring new single Type Of Girl, on April 17.
She will perform six dates across the UK on her headline tour in March.
Laura’s flight of fancy
IT’S been a dreary series of Love Island so far, with sparks yet to fly between its buff but bland cast. But the show has done wonders for the romantic life of host Laura Whitmore.
The Irish presenter was all over her boyfriend, show narrator Iain Stirling, as they reunited for a working holiday in South Africa.
The pair walked arm in arm through Cape Town International Airport and cuddled outside, with Laura pulling along a personalised Love Island suitcase.
The star only pops into the TV villa when something explosive is about to happen. Thank goodness – that place needs some livening up.
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- MADONNA last night cancelled a ninth show on her Madame X world tour after suffering an injury. The star pulled out of her penultimate show in Lisbon, having told fans she must “listen to her body”. Her run at the London Palladium kicks off on Monday.
- AHEAD of the release of their comeback single React, Pussycat Dolls feature on Meghan Trainor’s track Genetics. The Voice UK coach puts out her third album, Treat Myself, next Friday and it includes a collaboration with Nicki Minaj.
- TAYLOR Swift has defended musical movie Cats after it was mauled by critics. She said: “I had a great time working on that weird-ass movie. I’m not gonna retroactively decide it wasn’t the best experience. I got to work with the sickest performers.”
- KELLY Jones says the first time he met Liam Gallagher, the rocker scrapped with Manic Street Preacher Nicky Wire. At the Stereophonics’ Absolute Radio gig in London, Kelly said: “I was watching the Manics. Next thing Liam’s rolling on the floor with him.”
Lizzo’s Queen Glee
LIZZO showed once again why she is heading to the top.
The US star looked every inch a queen in her eye-catching headdress in a photoshoot for Rolling Stone.
Lizzo proved she has no shortage of body confidence in other snaps for the mag, posing with just a flute and some heels, before turning into a green goddess for the glossy cover.
The Truth Hurts singer revealed it was music that helped her accept her shape, saying: “I’ve come to terms with body dysmorphia and I’ve evolved.”
She also reveals how she deals with criticism of herself and her music.
She added: “You put two plates of food in front of people. One is some fried chicken. If you like fried chicken that’s great.
“And the other is, like, fried ostrich p***y. You not gonna want to f**k with that. We eventually get used to everything. So people just gon’ have to get used to my a**.”
KFC might not agree.
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TAYLOR Swift has debuted a trailer for her Netflix docu Miss Americana, out next Friday.
In the clip she discusses her choice to talk politics, saying: “Label executives would say, ‘A nice girl doesn’t force opinions on people.’ ”
Kanye busted
WHAT do you get the egomaniac celeb who has everything? The answer: A statue of his big head.
That’s what Kanye West will be honoured with at a VIP event in Los Angeles.
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New York artist David Weeks has created the 5ft silver sculpture made up of four Kanye faces.
Each captures the rapper in a different mood, from a typical scowl to rarely- seen happiness, apparently “representing the range of emotions a creative goes through on a daily basis.”
The sculpture of the Yeezy mastermind will be displayed at shoe museum Sneakertopia.
There will also be mini-versions for fans who want to see Kanye glaring at them from their mantelpiece. Terrifying.
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