Ariana Grande just confirmed her take-no-prisoners approach to 2019. Earlier this week, Variety reported that the 25-year-old had cancelled her performance at the Grammys on Sunday night after its producers refused to allow her to sing her record-breaking single “7 Rings” except in a medley of their choosing. Now, the starlet has taken to Twitter to confirm that not only will she not be performing, she is no longer even attending the event – calling out Grammys boss Ken Ehrlich for “lying” in the process.
“i’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me,” the starlet Tweeted last night in response to an interview Ehrlich gave to the The Associated Press, claiming Grande felt that it was “too late for her to pull something together” for Sunday’s ceremony. “i can pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken. it was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more,” she continued. Grande’s absence from the Los Angeles’ Staples Centre will be particularly noteworthy given that she is up for both Best Pop Vocal Performance for “God Is A Woman” and Best Pop Vocal Album for Sweetener.
The “Thank U, Next” singer went on to reference the fact that the Grammys have used her image in numerous promotional materials. “i offered 3 different songs. it’s about collaboration. it’s about feeling supported. it’s about art and honesty. not politics. not doing favors or playing games. it’s just a game y’all.. and i’m sorry but that’s not what music is to me.” Then, the kicker: “passed a Grammy’s bus with my face on it typing those.”
It’s the latest drama in a tumultuous period that has famously seen Grande break off her engagement to Saturday Night Live’s Pete Davidson and grieve the loss of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller. Thankfully, the former cover girl, photographed by Craig McDean for Vogue’s July 2018 issue, is taking it in stride – and putting all of her emotions (and newfound attitude) into her music. Her second album in less than eight months, appropriately named Thank U, Next, is out today.