
There’s someone missing from the Grammys this year.
Ariana Grande decided to skip the awards ceremony after a public dispute with the show’s producer, over which song she would perform during the telecast.
According to Variety, Grande wanted to perform her single 7 Rings, but the producers didn’t want her to include it in her performance. They eventually reached a compromise where 7 Rings would be included as part of a medley, but Grande then pulled out of the performance altogether.
On Thursday, Grammy telecast executive producer Ken Ehrlich told the Associated Press, Grande had said she couldn’t perform during the telecast because she didn’t have adequate time to prepare.
“As it turned out, when we finally got the point where we thought maybe it would work, she felt it was too late for her to pull something together for sure,” he said in an interview.
However, Grande responded on Twitter denying she said that.
“I’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me,” she tweeted. “I can pull together a performance overnight 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.”
The singer later tweeted: “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.”