American actress and comedian, Tiffany Haddish, has revealed that she turned down hosting the pre-grammys show because the Recording Academy refused to pay her.
The move star was offered to host the gig for the Recording Academy’s 3-hour pre-telecast ahead of the main show in January 2021, but was told she wouldn’t be paid.
According to Variety, the Recording Academy also refused to cover Haddish‘s hair, makeup and wardrobe for the three-hour event.
The actress who gained prominence for her role as “Nekeisha Williams” on the NBC sitcom, The Carmichael Show stated that the Academy might decide not to nominate her for awards again for turning down their offer, but its “disrespectful” to make such proposal.
“I don’t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it’s disrespectful,” she said.
“I was like, ‘The exposure is amazing but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking, and as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that’s not okay.”
Although Haddish was nominated for her second Grammy this year for Best Comedy Album for Netflix’s Black Mitzvah, the Recording Academy stated that the actress would not be penalized for rejecting their offer.
Explaining why it refused to pay the actress, the Recording Academy told Variety that the Grammys Premiere Ceremony which Tiffany Haddish was asked to host, is not a CBS program but hosted by the Academy, which is a not-for-profit organization and historically, all hosts, presenters, and performers have traditionally performed without compensation at the said event.
Reacting to the statement, the actress queried; “How many other people have they done that to?” She added: “It’s like a guy asking you on a date but telling you that you have to pay for it.”
Haddish received her first Grammy nomination last year for her album The Last Black Unicorn.