Grammys producer explains Lorde snub

  • 30/01/2018
Lorde performing in 2018.
Photo credit: Reuters

A Grammys spokesperson has responded to the controversy around Lorde being the only 2018 Best Album nominee not asked to perform her own song.

Ken Ehrlich, a producer of the Grammys, told media the exclusion of the only female nominee was simply because there was no room for her.

"I don't know if it was a mistake. These shows are a matter of choices," said Ehrlich.

"We have a box and it gets full. She had a great album. There's no way we can really deal with everybody.

"Sometimes people get left out that shouldn't, but on the other hand, we did the best we can to make sure that it's a representative and balanced show."

Recording Academy President Neil Portnow added that women need to "step up".

"I think it has to begin with women who have the creativity in their hearts and their souls who want to be musicians, who want to be engineers, who want to be producers, who want to be part of the industry on an executive level to step up," said Portnow.

"There's so many opportunities today. So if someone's passionate about it, doesn't matter what your gender, genre, geography - do it yourself, take it from your heart and put it out there."

Lorde was asked to perform during the show's Tom Petty tribute, which she declined.

On Tuesday morning, she tweeted a message to anyone who may be left wondering if she can deliver a great performance. 

Newshub.