Recording Academy apologizes to Tiffany Haddish after offering her zero pay to host pre-Grammys gig

Recording Academy Interim Chief Harvey Mason, Jr. has offered an apology to Tiffany Haddish after she revealed she was offered a chance to host a pre-Grammys event for no pay.

The music insider called the decision ‘a lapse in judgment, it was in poor taste, and it was disrespectful to the creative community,’ in a Instagram video on Thursday.

Mason Jr. wrote: ‘It’s just been brought to my attention that the Recording Academy invited Tiffany Haddish to host this year’s Premiere ceremony.’ 

Sorry: Recording Academy Interim Chief Harvey Mason Jr. has apologized to Tiffany Haddish after she revealed the organization offered her the pre-awards hosting gig for no pay, saying the decision was ‘in poor taste’

‘Unfortunately and without my knowing, the talent booker working for the Academy told Ms. Haddish that we wouldn’t even cover her costs while she hosted this event for us.’

‘To me that was wrong,’ he added. ‘I’m frustrated by that decision. It was a lapse in judgment, it was in poor taste, and it was disrespectful to the creative community — I’m part of the creative community and I know what that feels like,’ he added, ‘and it’s not right.

‘Thankfully, Ms. Haddish was gracious enough to allow me to have a conversation with her. I apologized to her personally, I apologized from the Academy, and I expressed to her my regret and my displeasure about how this went down and how it was handled. And I will say,’ he went on. ‘Tiffany, we are sorry and thank you for allowing me to speak on it.’       

Haddish revealed that she turned down an invitation to host the primer to the 63rd annual awards program, which will air on January 31, 2021. 

No thanks: Haddish, 41, turned down the hosting gig at the Grammys pre-show because they refused to pay her or cover expenses, Variety reported Wednesday; seen in February

No thanks: Haddish, 41, turned down the hosting gig at the Grammys pre-show because they refused to pay her or cover expenses, Variety reported Wednesday; seen in February

Yesterday she explained that the hosting gig was a no-go because she would have been forced to pay for all her expense, according to Variety.

Haddish confirmed that the Grammys had asked her to host the three-hour pre-show, which was to be live-streamed.

But when it came to reasonable requests like covering her hairstyling, makeup and wardrobe, they balked. 

‘All of that would have to come out of my pocket,’ Haddish explained.

‘I don’t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it’s disrespectful.’

Thrifty: But when it came to reasonable requests like covering her hairstyling, makeup and wardrobe, Tiffany said the Grammys wouldn't pay for it; pictured November 15

Thrifty: But when it came to reasonable requests like covering her hairstyling, makeup and wardrobe, Tiffany said the Grammys wouldn’t pay for it; pictured November 15

Slighted: 'All of that would have to come out of my pocket,' she said. 'I don¿t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it¿s disrespectful'; seen November 15

Slighted: ‘All of that would have to come out of my pocket,’ she said. ‘I don’t know if this might mean I might not get nominated ever again, but I think it’s disrespectful’; seen November 15

Tiffany earned her first Grammy nomination last year for her performance of her memoir The Last Black Unicorn, and she was nominated at the upcoming ceremony for best comedy album for her Netflix special Black Mitzvah.

A representative for the Recording Academy clarified that the pre-show isn’t put on by CBS, which is broadcasting the Grammys, but by the Academy, which is a non-profit.

According to them, the lack of any payment isn’t a new trend, and pre-show hosts have been doing it for free for years.

They also claimed that Haddish wouldn’t be retaliated against for refusing to host and going public with her concerns.

Not worth it: 'I was like, "The exposure is amazing but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking,"' she said. 'And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that¿s not okay'; seen in January

Not worth it: ‘I was like, ‘The exposure is amazing but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking,” she said. ‘And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that’s not okay’; seen in January

‘I was like, ‘The exposure is amazing but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking,” she said. ‘And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that’s not okay.

‘This is something that needs to be addressed,’ she continued. ‘How many other people have they done that to? It’s like a guy asking you on a date but telling you that you have to pay for it.’

Although it comes before the main broadcast, the pre-show is far from glorified fluff, as dozens of awards are announced before the main show even begins. 

Tiffany will next appear on-screen in the May–September romantic comedy Here Today, directed and written by her costar Billy Crystal.

Concerns: Haddish worried that the Grammys would retaliate and not nominate her in the future, but a rep denied she would be punished for going public about refusing to host; seen in November

Concerns: Haddish worried that the Grammys would retaliate and not nominate her in the future, but a rep denied she would be punished for going public about refusing to host; seen in November