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On Sunday, singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton watched the Grammys for the first time in years, hoping for improvement.
I wasnt aware you were an Academy member.
I dont recall the exact date I signed up.
Its interesting that you bring that up, because the NARAS voting block needs to be looked at.
This is really worth digging into: I think the voting block of NARAS is predominately white males.
Its so funny Neil thought he could say what he said.
Its his responsibility to oversee the voting environment.
I would not be surprised if women are not well represented in that group.
Ive never been privy or given a choice as to how the categories are worded or divided.
Ive just been given my sheet and then you pick categories.
Thats probably up to the board.
And hes the president.
These are important questions.
Did you vote for this years Grammys?I did not.
When was the last time that you did?Probably five years ago because my membership expired.
So I just renewed my membership for five years.
Women are in the game.
A statement like that is just clearly being behind the times.
Thats where were at with the Grammys.
Everyone felt that way before he even made a statement.
I absolutely have to vote.
So do many others.
It also comes from the top.
Then well see where the momentum takes us and deliver this to the Recording Academy.
We need a new president.
Hes been president for 16 years.
We need to get with the times.
He is behind them.
Remember a couple years agowhen Beyonce was snubbed?
I havent watched the Grammys in years.
I stopped watching and unplugged.
This year, Im completely back in the game.
But in my opinion, its been unwatchable for years.
I couldnt believe what I was seeing on Sunday.
It was a totally uneven, weird show.
A lot of musicians probably feel the same way.
With Lorde, they absolutely couldve carved out an opportunity for her to perform whatever song she wanted.
What made it so unwatchable for you in years past?Its just a lackluster, corporate-feeling show.
Finally rap records are in the Album of the Year category, which took a minute.
Theres just been a lack of diversity in the music thats up on that stage.
Its fallen into this one routine of a 10-million-album-selling artist getting the chance to perform.
The Grammys can be a real window into some amazing talent if they let it be.
That would actuallyhelp the ratings.
It just clearly doesnt occur to Neil that theres a problem at all.
If theres no meaningful change, would you boycott the Grammys?
Voting, attending, even submitting your work?Totally.
But Im not someone whos gonna be at the Grammys.
Im an independent artist so theres plenty of artists with way more on the line.
Their Grammys performance could totally boost their albums sales and they dont wanna lose that opportunity.
I have nothing to lose.
But, at the same time, I do because this is my community, too.
Thats an important question for a lot of women artists.
But Im proud to be part of this conversation and I thinkPinks statementwas spot on.
His head is completely in the wrong place.
Thats why Im stepping up in a way now that I have not in the past.
Did thewhite roses for Times Upfeel meaningful to you?I didnt even know what that was.
I dont think it makes a difference.
What makes a difference are conversations like these and me putting myself on the line.
Theres nothing harmful about the roses, but its really about taking risks to make change.
But is the dam about to burst there, too?Yes.
I personally signed an NDA for someone who appeared on the Grammys.
It makes my blood boil.
Until recently, I couldnt even discuss mine.
Im sure theres a lot going on there, but I dont know anyone whos personally signed an NDA.
But I do knowa lotof women in the industry whove had very similar situations to me.
And Ive been under my NDA for five years.
Im so sorry.We soldier on, girl.
