The Grammys is apologizing to Tiffany Haddish after the actress called them out for a “disrespectful” offer to host it without any compensation.
Haddish was told that she would have to come out of her own pocket and fund her own expenses if she hosted the awards ceremony’s premiere ceremony.
“It’s just been brought to my attention that the Recording Academy invited Tiffany Haddish to host this year’s premiere ceremony,” Recording Academy interim President Harvey Mason Jr. said in an Instagram video on Thursday. “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 said. “To me that was wrong. I’m frustrated by that decision. It was a lapse in judgement. It was in poor taste. And it’s disrespectful to the creative community”.
Mason continued: I’m part of the creative community and I know what that feels like, and it’s not right,” added Mason. “Thankfully, Ms. Haddish was gracious enough to allow me to have a conversation with her. I apologized to her personally, I apologized from the Academy, and I expressed to her my regret and my displeasure about how this went down and how it was handled. And I will say,” he concluded, “Tiffany, we are sorry and thank you for allowing me to speak on it.”
Haddish put the prestigious ceremony on blast during an interview with Variety published this week. The Hollywood actress turned down an offer to host the livestreamed Grammy Awards pre-telecast when they refused to pay expenses for hair, makeup and wardrobe costs.
“All of that would have to come out of my pocket,” said Haddish. “I don’t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it’s disrespectful.” She added, “I was like, ‘The exposure is amazing, but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking. And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that’s not OK.”
