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BEYONCE SAYS SHE'LL CROSS PICKET LINE FOR GRAMMYS: Jill Scott, however, says she's not so sure.
*As the Hollywood writers strike threatens to claim the 50th annual Grammy telecast as its next victim, nominated artists are being put in a rather awkward position.
Recording Academy President Neil Portnow has already announced that a full-scale Grammys will be presented from Los Angeles on Feb. 10 and broadcast live on CBS no matter what.
"We won't be a clip show or a press conference or anything of the sort. This show really will go on," he said.
However, some musicians have said they would boycott the ceremony in solidarity with striking writers, especially top-level musical superstars who also are actors, such as nominees Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys.
"I feel torn, because I'm a writer," R&B singer-songwriter Jill Scott, who is nominated for three Grammys, told The Associated Press on Friday. "I feel like I'm caught in the middle. ... I don't know how to feel."
The Writers Guild of America [WGA], which is seeking compensation for programs, movies and other content streamed or downloaded over the Internet, granted a waiver for the NAACP Image awards, allowing writers to work on the live Feb. 14 telecast. But the Golden Globes were not so lucky. The WGA refused to grant the waiver for the annual ceremony and threatened picketing. The Screen Actors Guild [SAG] encouraged its stars to stay away as well. As a result, the typically lavish three-hour televised awards extravaganza was reduced to a one-hour, celebrity-free newscast on Jan. 13.
Portnow says he has asked the WGA for an interim agreement that would allow writers to work on the Grammy telecast. WGA spokesman Gregg Mitchell said the request was referred to the board of the union's West Coast branch for a decision. He said, however, that a deal "is unlikely to be granted."
Jill Scott, also an actress, said she felt empathy for the WGA and didn't know what she would do if asked to perform at a picketed show.
"That's not an easy decision for me," she said. "I would feel like I'm choosing between my parents."
Meanwhile, Beyonce, also an actress and SAG member, has announced that she will perform at the Grammys, even if it means crossing a picket line. Her father/manager Matthew Knowles said in a statement: "we have every intention" of being at the event in Los Angeles."
"We have an incredible Beyonce performance that will be announced soon. We wish the Grammys the best," he continued.
Best new artist nominee and SAG member, R&B singer-songwriter Ledesi, was hopeful the situation could be worked out, but indicated that she would not go if the WGA picketed and SAG directed its members not to attend.
"We have to do what we have to do," she said. "I'm praying that I get to go — I've been wanting to go for years."
Kanye West leads the nominations with eight, while Amy Winehouse is up for six awards.
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