The Grammy Awards postponed due to COVID-19 surge
The 2021 Grammy Awards, originally scheduled for Jan. 31, has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
According to a joint statement from the Recording Academy, CBS and show producers, the awards ceremony celebrating the best in music, will now take place on Sunday, March 14, 2021.
After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd #GRAMMYs to be broadcast Sunday, March 14, 2021.
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) January 5, 2021
More details: https://t.co/JyrHZ7JpQi pic.twitter.com/MoZLLoEEgx
In the statement released Tuesday (Jan. 5), organizers cited conversations with health experts, the host and artists scheduled to appear, for the decision to postpone the awards show.
"The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do," the statement said. "Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show."
"We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors and especially this year's nominees for their understanding, patience and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times," the statement added.
The statement was signed by Harvey Mason, Jr., chair and interim president and CEO of the Recording Academy; Jack Sussman, executive vice president of specials, music, live events and alternative programming for CBS and Grammy Awards executive producer Ben Winston.
The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, which would have kicked off the Hollywood awards season this year, had already planned on a limited show for 2021, forgoing a live audience and allowing only presenters and performers on-site.
The event was set to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, to be hosted by The Daily Show host Trevor Noah. Nominated artists would not be allowed on-site during the ceremony, similar to how the 2020 Emmys were held where nominees appeared and accepted awards remotely.
Top nominees for this year's Grammys include Beyoncé, who picked up nine nominations, while Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift and Roddy Ricch each got six nods each. Check out the complete list of 2021 Grammy nominees here.
The Golden Globes, which is usually held in January, will now be the first awards show of the season, if it still decides to push through. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Feb. 28, 2021 in Beverly Hills, California.
(Images via The Grammy Awards)