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Amy to Grammy via satellite?
08/02/2008 14:34 - (SA)
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| British soul singer Amy Winehouse. (AP) |
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Sue Zeidler
Los Angeles - Amy Winehouse's label Universal Music and Grammy organisers are assembling a plan to have the soul singer perform via satellite at the Grammy awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, after her US visa application had been rejected, a source close to the star said.
While news of the visa rejection caught few by surprise due to the star's well-chronicled drug and legal issues, many called it unfortunate for Winehouse and the Grammys because the singer is among the most-nominated performers.
Winehouse entered a rehab clinic last month for drug addiction.
"I think this is a first time a top contender for all of the top awards has been barred from attending. It's a tragic blow for her comeback," said Tom O'Neil, columnist for awards website Envelope.com.
Even with a beamed-in performance, Winehouse will not be shown on the red carpet or in the cutaway shots of the audience, which may underscore her absence.
'Embarrassing for Grammys'
"It could also be really embarrassing for the Grammys, if she sweeps the awards and she's not there," O'Neil said.
A spokesperson for Winehouse, 24, said in a statement she had been progressing well since entering a rehabilitation clinic two weeks ago.
"Although disappointed with the decision, (she) has accepted the ruling and will be concentrating on her recovery," the spokesperson said.
Nominated for six Grammys, Winehouse is one of Britain's top artists, winning critical and commercial success with her album Back to Black, which has sold nearly five million copies worldwide, including 1.3 million in the United States.
Winehouse will vie for best new artist and her song Rehab was nominated for record and song of the year. Back To Black was nominated for best album of the year.
Best new artist
She is also one of four women vying for the title of best new artist, alongside Canadian singer-songwriter Feist, country singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, and R&B singer Ledisi.
Also nominated were the female-fronted rock band Paramore.
Winehouse ranked second in Grammy nominations to rapper Kanye West.
With her career overshadowed by drug and alcohol problems, music industry experts had hoped a performance by the beehive-coiffed singer at the Grammys would boost her standing with US audiences.
But many believe Winehouse's talent already has swayed many of the 12 000 music industry professionals who vote on the Grammys.
"It's not like a political vote. Voters make their decisions on music and quality, not personal habits or character," said Jay Cooper, an entertainment lawyer.
Rehab clinics
Winehouse previously cancelled a US visit in November due to visa issues.
Her involvement in the Grammys had been in doubt for months due to her arrest for possession of marijuana in Norway last year.
She also appeared in video footage last month allegedly showing her smoking crack cocaine.
Winehouse attended rehab clinics at least twice in 2007, according to British media, but checked out on both occasions before her treatment was completed.
Other British music acts have faced visa issues, including singer-songwriter Lily Allen. In the 1970s, the Sex Pistols delayed a tour after US authorities were reluctant to issue visas, and the Klaxons had to cancel tour dates in 2006.
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