Tiffany Haddish says she was asked to host the Grammys pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony, but she turned down the offer when the Recording Academy told her that she had to pay her own way.
According to Variety, Haddish (who is nominated for her second Grammy) revealed that not only did they ask her to host the three-hour live-streamed event without any compensation, but she told the magazine she would’ve had to cover her own glam and wardrobe for the event. ”All of that would have to come out of my pocket,” she said, adding, “I don’t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it’s disrespectful.”
A rep for the Recording Academy told Variety that the Premiere Ceremony is not a CBS program and is hosted by the Academy, which is a not-for-profit organization — and that all hosts, presenters, and performers have traditionally performed gratis. The rep also assured that this situation would have no impact on any future nominations for Haddish.
Recording Academy interim President Harvey Mason, Jr. has also apologized in an Instagram video posted earlier today. He explained that he spoke with Tiffany and personally apologized as well.
“Unfortunately and without me knowing, the talent booker working for the Academy told Ms. Haddish that we wouldn’t even cover her costs while she hosted this event,” Mason explained. “To me that was wrong. I’m frustrated by that decision. It was a lapse in judgment. It was in poor taste. And it’s disrespectful, ” he said.
