A Scandalous Grammy Awards

The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards is this Sunday. And there are so many scandalous things swirling around it.

On January 16th, newly appointed Recording Academy CEO, Deborah Dugan was placed on administrative leave. Meanwhile, the Academy is investigating a formal allegation against her. This formal allegation, is misconduct by a senior female member of the Recording Academy Team.

Dugan Fights Back

Dugan is now suing the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for wrongful termination. And she had only been on the job for five months. If you recall, she had replaced Neil Portnow who had made sexist comments against women and was released. Moreover, do you remember when Portnow said that “women need to step up” at the 2018 Grammys? Sigh..

Now Dugan believes she was let go in retaliation for accusing the Academy’s general counsel of sexual harassment. And riggings the awards. She also accused Portnow of raping an unnamed female artist. (Portnow has denied this allegation).

Timing is Everything

Dugan says she was released three weeks after she sent the email to the Academy’s managing director of HR with this information. Fishy?

The Recording Academy Fights Back

However, The Recording Academy states that Dugan created an abusive environment by bullying employees in the workplace. And four women serving on the board of trustees have backed the Academy.

Claudine

Claudine Little, Portnow’s former executive assistant (rumored to be the senior female employee), is suing Dugan. Because Dugan “caused an untenable situation in the executive offices that included verbal abuse and mistreatment”.  Holy moly—

Artist Backlash

Now artists are taking sides and making changes. With Taylor Swift no longer scheduled to perform. (though we are not sure why). And Alicia Keys cancelled all of her pre grammy press interviews. It seems she plans on sticking to the script.

The Show Must Go On

The focus is on the show. And making it the best one yet. And the Academy had finalized votes on Jan 3rd. Which was before Dugan was ousted.

Interim Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr hopes that everyone focuses on celebrating he music and the artists. “These people have worked their entire careers to get to this point”.  The Celebration and Excitement is where the Academy is shifting it’s focus to. At least, for now.

Serious Allegations

Let’s hope the truth comes out and justice prevails. These allegations are serious. Rape? Bullying in the workplace? Rigging the nominations? And so the Grammys this year is full of scandal. So let’s hope the truth comes out soon. And that there are better checks and balances. The employees, the artists and their audiences deserve a sexist free, and safe environment.