Feb. 11, 2008 05:35 PM EST
Natalie Cole: Amy's Wins Send a 'Bad Message'
"I don't think she should have won," the veteran Grammy winner says of Winehouse
By Jenny Sundel and Stephen M. Silverman
Dr. Phil, move over. There's a new advocate for tough love on the circuit: Natalie Cole. The multiple Grammy winner – her first win, in 1975, was for best new artist of the year – told PEOPLE at Sunday's Warner Music Group post-Grammy party that she took a dim view of Amy Winehouse's awards sweep at the Grammy ceremony earlier in the evening. "I don't think she should have won. I think it sends a bad message to our young people who are trying to get into this business, the ones who are trying to do it right and really trying to keep themselves together," said Cole, 58. "We have to stop rewarding bad behavior." Of Winehouse, 24, who is currently in rehab in England, Cole says: "I'm sorry. I think the girl is talented, gifted, but it's not right for her to be able to have her cake and eat it too. She needs to get herself together." On the seriousness of Winehouse's troubles, Cole – who over the years has battled her own substance-abuse problems, successfully – observes, "I mean, she could die. This isn't something that's cute and fun just to throw around in the press. The girl really has a problem, and I think for those of us who have been in the business long enough, we know the sacrifice it takes. This is about discipline and hard work, and you don't get to just do your drugs and go onstage and get rewarded."
Performance 'Fine'In all, Winehouse won five Grammys – including record of the year, song of the year and best new artist. She also rocked the crowd inside Los Angeles's Staples Center with a live-via-satellite rendition of "You Know I'm No Good" and "Rehab." "Her performance was fine," surmised Cole. "I don't take anything away from her talent, but I just feel like she's stepping into a place that she hasn't earned yet." As for whom Cole, whose new jazz CD will be out in August, would have lavished with Grammy gold, the singer replied, "Rihanna, even Beyoncé. "I just feel like they're ready to go the long haul. You can tell how hard they work, they're great people, their heart is in the right place. These are the people we should be praising, these are the people we should be encouraging." She added, "And the others, we need to help them."
Let us know what you think about Amy Winehouse winning 5 grammies!
2 comments:
What I have written is not to take away from the true talent that is, or should be, rewarded in any industry's "awards giving" venue.
Personal, political, greedy, agenda is usually sandwiched between authenticity for acceptance. I am happy for the professionals who work hard and create creative, beautiful music without "drama".
Having said that, I think it is a true sad commentary of the beast of this particular industry--applaud dysfunction, illegal, addictive, abusive behaviour outrightly. Let's not even get talking about the defammatory and demeaning words of some rap songs that deface human beings--especially women and minorities.
To pump and exploit people who are clearly in need of help is what is going on here. Young people. (Example: Brittany Spears--the industry made a child into a soft-porn star really, then exploited what talent she had. Her painfully sad performance last year was a reflection of industry 'men' taking advantage of a young woman in need of serious help. Her eyes were so sad.)
This is also true for Amy. She was clearly under some 'influence' while performing at the Grammy's and since the whole world knows about her self-professed drug abuse, it only made it more abusively pitiful.
Money rules--when people love money more than people--exploitation happens. And it is just another gross commentary about the pay-off of justice and those who look to pay themselves at any cost--even at the expense of the younger audiences or talent looking to make a career for themselves.
Let's just all do whatever we want--let's allow drugs into sports and reward individuals who use steroids--why not? It would be just in time for the Olympics...
What is even sadder is that America specifically, is obsessed with the hype of money--with no regard to anything sacred. And a person's life is sacred.
If you say, well, look the other way--it's not our problem, the music is good. Well, sure, enjoy the music, (the art, the book, the movie) but once you know--your hands are dirty.
Would you really award someone's book if you knew outright they were in the KKK, or an anti-semite? Oh, just look the other way--it's art afterall...It's okay to date, have sex with our "step children"--it's fine Woody Allen, afterall, she was just over 18 when you took those nude pictures.
Shame on everyone who had a part in Amy's "over-the-top" awarding. They have in effect nailed her coffin.
I totally agree with everything that has been said. Also, I do not feel that Amy Winehouse can even sing! that sounded more to me like just talking thru the song!
I am a great admirer of Natalie Cole and cannot wait for her cd to come out
Britney definitely is in need of help. I feel that the hanger-ons are there just for her money and what she can do for them.
Post a Comment