Singer and multiple Grammy winner Natalie Cole is stirring up controversy after speaking out about British singer Amy Winehouse, who won five Grammy Awards on February 10th, including Record of the Year for "Rehab." The "Unforgettable" singer said the Recording Academy should not have rewarded Winehouse, who is the midst of a very public struggle with alcohol and drug addiction and only recently entered rehab.
"I don't think she should have won," Cole told People magazine at a post-Grammy bash thrown by the Warner Music Group. "I think it sends a bad message to our young people who are trying to get into this business, the ones who are trying to do it right and really trying to keep themselves together. We have to stop rewarding bad behavior."
Cole acknowledged that Winehouse shows talent on her Back To Black debut. "I think the girl is talented, gifted, but it's not right for her to be able to have her cake and eat it too," Cole continued. "She needs to get herself together."
Cole, who spent years battling her own addiction to drugs and alcohol during the '70s and '80s, returned to the Grammy spotlight herself in the '90s after cleaning up her act.
She added that the award makes light of a serious issue. "I mean, she could die. This isn't something that's cute and fun just to throw around in the press," said Cole. "The girl really has a problem, and I think for those of us who have been in the business long enough, we know the sacrifice it takes. This is about discipline and hard work, and you don't get to just do your drugs and go onstage and get rewarded."
More Smooth Jazz Music News
