Fantasia Barrino Boycotted the Grammys Over Afretha Franklin Tribute Snub

Thursday, February 17th 2011 | Leave a Comment

Fantasia Barrino was noticeably absent from this year’s Grammy Awards. Her reasoning? Because Grammy organizers neglected to invite her to participate in the Aretha Franklin tribute!

The R&B artist called in to BET’s 106 & Park Monday (Feb 14) and gave an explanation on why she chose to stay home instead of attending the biggest night in music.

“They were honoring someone who is my idol, Aretha Franklin, and there is no way I could have sat there and not got the happy feet and wanting to jump on the mic because she is my favorite, so I felt like, you know, at the end of the day I should have been on that stage, so, I kind of did my own little thing last night.”

The “American Idol” winner ended up winning a trophy for “Best Female Vocal Performance,” but obviously wasn’t there to pick up her first Grammy. Still, Fantasia says she was ecstatic to finally win a Grammy Award after 11 nominations.

“Actually I scared my daughter because I just bust out and started crying, and she thought something was wrong with me. You know it’s been a long time coming.”

Pop diva Christina Aguilera, R&B singer Jennifer Hudson and gospel performer Yolanda Adams were among the ladies who saluted an absent Aretha Franklin at the Grammys.

We’re not ones to judge … but we think it’s a little “petty” for Fantasia to skip out on the Grammys just because they didn’t invite her to perform in a tribute to Aretha Franklin, which is something she’s already done before.

Your thoughts?

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  • r

    It seems like she may have let her pride get in the way. She could have had her moment of glory to get up there and accept her Grammy which is something I’m sure all artists strive for. That’s too bad- and Im a Leo, so we know about pride issues. But hey, maybe I’m looking too deep into it….

  • rashard

    @r: yes but how could she have her moment when they didnt even televised the R&B category so why if go and just sit

  • SxCRomeo99

    Honestly, I feel that she shoulda been tha first one asked to do that tribute…whether shes done it or not…when choosin someone to honor a legend, you try to find and select people that best replicate the song…who else better than Fantasia…so i fully bacc her on her decision to not go…nobody said anything when Jay Z didnt (and still doesnt) go because they didnt televise the rap portion of the awards and they do now, and he still doesnt…lol

  • Chief G

    A salute to Fantasia, for standing up for herself and the way , many lovers of MUSIC really feel.
    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////YOU-KNOW ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    Guys, if it has the ways of a snake, kinda looks and moves like a snake, at the end of the day
    the signs or the snake itself will reveal itself.

    Chief G .

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