Winehouse back in the tabloids. Will it hurt her Grammy chances?
While there had been no official announcement, rumors were heavy that British R&B singer Amy Winehouse would be appearing on next month's Grammy telecast. But as has become par for the course for the soul revivalist, she's back in the tabloids.
This time, the U.K.'s The Sun speculates that she may not be able to get into the U.S. due to having to pass a drug test, which would require her to be clean for a number of weeks.
Ugh, rather than follow this sad saga, the more interesting question is whether or not Recording Academy voters would shy away from giving Winehouse a major award due to her checkered past.
Many have speculated Grammy voters have refused to award artists for less. It's long been thought the Kanye West has failed to win the top prize (album of the year) due to his constant boasting that he deserves it -- and griping when he doesn't get it. But according to the initial roll-out of this year's Grammy buzzmeter, a small group of panelists (more to be added) don't see that trend continuing for West.
So while Winehouse would seem to be a lock for best new artist (three of four panelists agree), Grammy voters have treaded to the conservative side of the spectrum in the field.
And the most glaring example? In 2005, when guys-you'd-take-home-to-mom Maroon 5 bafflingly won best new artist over the loud-mouthed West.
But even last year, the category was a battle of the inoffensive, with James Blunt, Carrie Underwood, Imogen Heap, Corinne Bailey Rae and Chris Brown in the running. The closest there's been to a rebel in the category in recent history was back 2001, when bold torch singer (and veteran artist) Shelby Lynne won the award.
Will Winehouse, arguably the most talked-about artist of the year, snare a few Grammys (she's nominated for six), or will that be seen as condoning the behavior that keeps her in the tabloids? As far as this writer is concerned, Winehouse is more shtick than spark, but her extracurricular behavior should be a non-factor come Grammy time. So....
(Photo courtesy AP)
I don't think that Kanye deserved the best album grammy the prevoius occasion and this time I think that Winehouse has a better album. But sentimentalism (I know it sounds cruel but Kanye's mom death will help him) will be a factor...
Posted by: JK | January 13, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Don't forget Eminem, another tabloid-followed, critically acclaimed rebel lost Album of the Year TWICE because his image/persona frightened voters.
Amy Winehouse will suffer the same fate.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | January 14, 2008 at 02:06 AM
Amy has her problems, I don't agree that her art should be punished for them, everyone can dog her all they wan't...but where are they to support her, reach out to help her.....god look at britney...we feed into the bad and not into the good...this world needs to change!
Posted by: aubrey | January 14, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Yes, I think her chances will be hindered by her tabloid filled antics...How can one when Sinead O'Connor back in 1990 tore up the Pope's pic on Sat. Night Live and lambasted the Grammys saying she wanted nothing to do with them...She released what I considered and many critics too the Best Album of 1990 I DO NOT WANT WHAT I HAVEN'T GOT. NARAS snubbed it for Album of the Year with very weak nominees--Quincy Jones, Wilson Phillips, MC Hammer and Mariah Carey's debut album. So Amy carrying on like she is will eventually hurt her chances...NARAS is still a conservative slanted organization...But they need to keep focus on honoring the music and not the behavior of the artist.
Posted by: Frankie R. | January 14, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Johnny Cash-would you have refused him ? Yes. What does that say about the whole thing?
Posted by: Positron | January 14, 2008 at 02:11 PM