Natalie Cole vs. Amy Winehouse: Veteran Says Grammy Win Sends Bad Message
Date: 02/12/08 | Singersroom News
Filed under: R&B News, Natalie Cole
Multi-Grammy winner, who won best new artist of the year in 1975, told People that R&B singer Amy Winehouse Grammy wins exhibits a bad impression.
"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."
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."
Source: People
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Amy Winehouse scares me.The geehive, the tattoos, the heavy makeup. i;m very intimidated in the scary Tammy Faye sort of way. I can may be see what she's sayin, but amy undeniable has talent, so why not reward it ? She's worked hard too. =========================== jjohn488
Amy Winehouse scares me.The geehive, the tattoos, the heavy makeup. i;m very intimidated in the scary Tammy Faye sort of way. I can may be see what she's sayin, but amy undeniable has talent, so why not reward it ? She's worked hard too. =========================== jjohn488 [url=http://www.addictionlink.org/drug-rehab-center/iowa]iowa drug rehab[/url]
i disagree. It is wrong to think that we should be "put together" in order to be the best that we can possibly be. It is a journey-life and when we judge others we are really judging ourselves. We are not all so fortunate to believe in ourselves early in life...some of us need a bit longer. It is not the Grammy awards' responsibility to give good or bad messages to our youth. Interesting that Natalie Cole was a drug user herself. I'm sure it wasn't criticism that got her out of drug instead I'm sure it was those who encouraged her to believe in herself who got her on the right track. The message Natalie is sending out here is that it is ok to judge others and that we have to be perfect in order to attain our dreams and also it is feeding into the illusion that youth in the industry have to win a grammy to be a success. The whole definition of success is distorted in America. We have to concentrate on the value we create as artists and not at what awards we get.
I SAID THE SAME THING NATALIE!!!! I was totally disgusted by the fact that the Grammys gave that crackhead 5 awards. If an artist had just killed someone drunking driving I would think that all of you would be disgusted if the Grammys gave them an award even if their music was good. People's behavior should be taken into account. That is not to say that you need to be a saint. Kanye West is an arrogant, pompous jerk but he makes good music and he is awarded as such. For God's sake the girl looked drunk during her performance!! The Grammys is supposed to be a ceremony to honor those who are the best at their craft. And sorry to say but Amy Winehouse IS NOT!!!
Natalie was right re: Amy Winehouse. The whole showbusiness industry is fixated on poor behavior by it's celeb's! Just because the "media" claims America wants to know does not make it TRUE! I am sure that the great majority of America does NOT want to know about Hollywood or any celebs bad behavior 24/7 as the media claims........24/7 of such repulsive behavior becomes such a turn-off that at some point, America begins to flip the remote to get away from it.....soon we will just tune out completely. TV media coverage of celebs 24-7 is a SICK obsession...they are like vultures preying on the victims....sick.
As far as I'm concerned...if NAtalie feels this way, then I expect forher to turn in her Grammy Awards for all those years she was free basing with Chaka Khan and Rufus.. Natalie STAYED high (chick was getting high when her son damn near drowned in the pool-we saw the movie)...and she wants to step up like someone's drug counselor...chick please... Furthermore, this ia a music award, not an award for Ms. America...who give's a damn what she does on her downtime...that has nothing to do with her MUSIC...you don't have to like her to like her music...
Although I feel Natalie's concern I don't believe in judging. I think Natalie should try and remember her dark period and the support she recieved from family, friends and fans and offer her helping hand not a slap in the face. Because we are human we all are flawed
I do agree with Q. I was shocked to see she won those awards knowing what's going on in her life. Don't get me wrong, she is talented,but to me when other young talent see this, to me it makes them feel that it's ok for them to do it.
I must say that I agree with Nat. Though the majority does not. The only reason is because the Grammys have become more political by the day. It's based off of popularity more so talent. Amy Winehouse is very talented, and probably deserved the Grammys, (I'm not sure who she was up against) However, I understand where Natalie is coming from. They are rewarding bahavior. A not matter what anyone says, Her behavior is associated with her music and her status. Media has a influence on people obviously, so people who are in that position should understand that they are accountable for how they represent themselves as well as the industries that promote it.
~Sorry for double posting last one had grammar errors from writing to fast~ I don't feel Natalie had the right to judge Amy for her success due to her talent and vision of music it has nothing to do with her habits and vision of life. Not to call anyone out but Emeka 50 Cent has never called his mother a h** that I can recall that was Eminem or Marshall Mathers whatever he likes to be called these days. If you can find a lyric where 50 calls his mother a h** and recite it back or post it then I'll stand corrected and apologize.