Tiffany Haddish revealed why she declined to host the upcoming GRAMMYs pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony.
The comedian revealed this to Variety on Wednesday and explained that she turned down the opportunity because the recording academy told her that she would have to pay her own way.
According to Haddish, The Recording Academy asked her to host the three-hour premiere ceremony event; which streams online, and includes over 70 awards that will be given out before the main show, without a dime, no payment and no compensation.
“I was like, ‘The exposure is amazing but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking,'” Haddish told Variety. “And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that’s not okay.”
Haddish, who is nominated for her second GRAMMY Award this year for Best Comedy Album for her special Black Mitzvah– said they also wouldn’t provide or cover the cost of hair, make-up, or wardrobe for the three-hour event, meaning it would all have to be paid for by Haddish.
“All of that would have to come out of my pocket,” Haddish shared. “I don’t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it’s disrespectful.”
Shortly after Haddish shared her story, Recording Academy Interim President/CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., posted a video to Instagram, explaining what happened.
“Unfortunately and without me knowing, a talent booker working for the Academy, told Ms. Haddish that we wouldn’t even cover her costs while she hosted this event for us,” Mason Jr. shared. “To me that was wrong. I’m frustrated by that decision. It was a lapse in judgment. It was in poor taste. And it was disrespectful to the creative community.”
He went on to share that he has since spoken with Haddish.
“Thankfully, Ms. Haddish was gracious enough for me to have a conversation with her. I apologized to her, personally, and I apologized from the Academy,” he said. “I expressed to her my regret and my displeasure about how this went down and how it was handled. Again, I want to say, Tiffany, we’re sorry and thank you for allowing me to speak up.”
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Haddish, however, said it was a concern that should be addressed, and said the entire situation was like “a guy asking you on a date but telling you that you have to pay for it.”
The 63nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 and broadcast live on CBS.