Ousted Grammys CEO alleges 'conflicts of interest' within Academy 'taint the results' of awards
The ousted head of the Recording Academy is speaking out about her bombshell claims of harassment and corruption in the organization just days ahead of the Grammys.
Deborah Dugan, former head of the organization that presents the Grammys, spoke to Good Morning America Thursday days after being placed on administrative leave. The Recording Academy said this was due to an allegation of "misconduct" against her, but she came back with a lawsuit alleging retaliation, CNN reports. She claims she raised concerns about "irregularities and conflicts" in the organization and alleged she was sexually harassed by its outside general counsel, Joel Katz. Katz denies the allegation.
Dugan told Good Morning America she has evidence showing there are "conflicts of interest" that "taint the results" of the Grammys, calling on the process to be "transparent."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In her complaint, Dugan alleged members of the nomination committee "push forward artists with whom they have relationships" and that it's "not unusual for artists who have relationships with board members and who ranked at the bottom of the initial 20-artist list to end up receiving nominations," Billboard reports.
Dugan's lawyer said the Grammys is "really on life support" and that the organization is "panic mode" following her allegations. The ousted CEO also took her claims to CBS This Morning on Thursday, repeating the allegations to the very network that hosts the Grammys.
Still, Dugan told GMA viewers should feel free to still watch the Grammys on Sunday, as she plans to do because "I worked very hard on the show." Brendan Morrow
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerous
The Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
By David Faris Published
-
The Week contest: Swift stimulus
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'It's hard to resist a sweet deal on a good car'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published