This past Monday night, Lauryn Hill was expected onstage with the Weeknd as a "surprise" guest at the highly-anticipated 58th annual awards show. When she didn't show up, fans began to speculate what happened. The night of the event, a rep from Hill's camp issued a statement on the no-show, "Any performance that could have happened was never confirmed, and should not have been advertised as such."
Afterward, Recording Academy president Neil Portnow told USA Today that the statement shared by Hill's camp wasn't accurate. "Our intention was, and we were ready, right up to the moment of the performance, for her to step up on stage." He said that Hill showed up for the dress rehearsal earlier that day and then failed to show up for the actual performance.
The latest update from Hill's camp disputes Portnow's version of what happened. "There were official Grammy television ads that ran for a couple of days naming Ms. Hill as a performer on the show. Her camp was unhappy about this." Because the performance was slated to be a surprise, the commercials were pulled from air. Hill's camp also clarifies, "Ms. Hill attempted a last minute rush to LA, to see if this could happen, but unfortunately timing that day kept it from being a reality." You can read the statement in its entirety below.
In regards to the comments this morning from The Grammys, CBS did announce Ms. Hill's performance, there were official Grammy television ads that ran for a couple of days naming Ms. Hill as a performer on the show. Her camp was unhappy about this. They had made it clear from the start that although Ms. Hill was going to attempt to make the show, she could not confirm, as there were too many logistical issues that could potentially prevent the performance from happening. The performance was also supposed to be a surprise. This was discussed with Grammy organizers, and the TV spots were pulled. As previously mentioned, Ms.Hill attempted a last minute rush to LA, to see if this could happen, but unfortunately timing that day kept it from being a reality. Ms. Hill truly appreciated the invitation, and the efforts made by all parties to try and make the performance happen.
