When it Hurts So Bad: Here’s Why Lauryn Hill Missed Weeknd Grammy-Duet February 16, 2016 by Niki Gatewood (@THE_NikiG) News. SHARE | Photo Credit: Instagram (AllHipHop News) An anticipating public did not get to see Lauryn Hill perform at the 58th annual Grammy Awards. Before the show, a captivating Instagram post piqued her supporter’s interest. Conflicting reports have been circulating concerning the Golden Era giant’s appearance. Following the anxious chatter, Lauryn’s camp has addressed the issue of her debated performance. Reps from Ms. Hill’s camp have vowed that she was not on the show’s official lineup. Neil Portnow, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences president, has verified why Lauryn Hill missed the “surprise” Grammy performance with The Weeknd. [ALSO READ: Rap Tastemakers Celebrate Lauryn Hill’s Impact: “She’s The Greatest Female Hip-Hop Artist!”] The Canadian crooner is said to have personally invited L-Boogie to perform with him. On Sunday morning (Feb. 14), everything went smoothly when the “Ready Or Not” MC attended the dress rehearsal, this according to Vulture. Due to the fact that Ms. Lauryn Hill “did not show up on time,” she was unable to showcase “In the Night” with the Weeknd. Portnow substantiated that the Weekend patiently waited for the legendary lyricist. He was “ready for her up until the moment” he took the stage. Review the IG post: Ms. Lauryn Hill’s camp has yet to respond to this latest development.
The worst-kept secret going into Music’s Biggest Night was an unannounced appearance by Lauryn Hill, who was supposed to join the Weeknd during his Grammy performance of “In the Night”; photos of the two singers rehearsing were widely circulated earlier Monday. However, during the Grammy telecast, the Weeknd delivered the song alone. Hill’s absence not only surprised in-the-know viewers, but the Grammys themselves were caught off guard.
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“It’s a disappointment to us and a disappointment to her,” Recording Academy president Neil Portnow said of the missing Hill after the Grammys (via USA Today). “Our intention was, and we were ready, right up to the moment of the performance, for her to step up on stage.”
In a statement issued during the Grammys, Hill’s rep explained, “The Grammys announced a performance by Ms. Lauryn Hill prematurely and without approval. Ms. Hill had concerts all weekend, leaving no time to prepare, and was uncertain she would even be able to make it to LA in time to rehearse for the event, Any performance that could have happened was never confirmed, and should not have been advertised as such. Ms. Hill was invited to do a collaboration with an artist she appreciates. The performance was intended to be a surprise and unfortunately due to its last minute nature, was unable to come to fruition.”
However, Portnow dismissed that claim. “None of that statement is accurate,” he said, adding that Hill attended rehearsals Monday morning. “She was there for it, completed it and left the building. And then she did not get back in time to make the show. I’m sorry, that’s the bottom line. That’s the truth. That’s unfortunate. I guess those things happen.”
A Grammy rep told TV Line that the notoriously tardy Hill “showed up during rehearsals, but arrived too late for the performance.”
UPDATE: A rep for the Grammys tells Billboard Hill wasn’t announced as part of the performance lineup. Recording Academy president Neil Portnow also said that none of Hill’s statement “was accurate,” noting that she was in rehearsals Monday morning but did not make it back in time for unannounced performance with The Weeknd.
