Beyoncé has chosen to no longer perform at this year’s Grammys although she is the most nominated at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
According to NME, “Beyoncé leads the Grammys 2021 nominations with nine nods, including Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for ‘Black Parade’, plus Record Of The Year for her ‘Savage Remix’ collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion. It was previously reported that she was in talks to perform the latter track at the ceremony.”
Why Beyoncé has opted out of performing at the Grammys despite receiving nine Grammy nominations is still unclear, however first time Grammy producer Ben Winston thinks it’s unfortunate nonetheless.
“It’s unfortunate because she’s such a big part of the Recording Academy,” Winston told The Los Angeles Times. “We absolutely wish we had her onstage.”
Winston also revealed that another unnamed star had turned down an offer to perform “because she was like, ‘I got snubbed three years ago, and I’m still annoyed about it,’” according to NME.
Beyoncé choosing to opt out of performing at the Grammys is not only a disappointment to fans, but also a historic decision.
According to The Los Angeles Times, “[this is] the third time in recent history (after Kendrick Lamar in 2019 and Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, in 2018) that the year’s most-nominated act has opted not to perform on the telecast.”
Some fans speculate that Beyonce deciding not to perform is a form of support for artists —The Weeknd, Frank Ocean and other snubbed artists— choosing to boycott the Grammys. While some fans will miss her gracing the stage, many support her decision.
“Maybe if they’d recognize Beyoncé for honors that she rightfully deserved… this wouldn’t have happened. As a fan, I’m kind of sad shes not gonna give us another phenomenal performance. But as a person who respects music and art… i’m happy she’s not performing for them,” one Twitter user tweeted.
Although Beyoncé is the most nominated artist to not perform at the upcoming Grammys, she isn’t the only artist who is choosing not to perform at the epic award ceremony. The Weeknd, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber will also not be performing at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards.