Lorde Took Out a Full-Page Newspaper Ad to Share Her Thoughts on the Grammys
The 2018 Grammy Awards, while not without some memorable moments from remarkable women, were a disappointingly male-dominated affair. One of the most infuriating narratives is the report that Lorde, the only woman up for Album of the Year, was also the only nominee in that category who was not asked to perform solo on the show. The singer has not commented on the controversy, but in a full-page ad taken out in her home country’s New Zealand Herald newspaper, she detailed her time at music’s biggest night and stood up for female artists.
“I’m writing this from New York City,” the 21-year-old began her handwritten note. “[My brother] Angelo and I sat in Madison Square Garden last night and I saw a lot of crazy and wonderful things.” The top of the note contained doodles of some of the singer’s personal highlights from the show, including Kendrick Lamar (AKA “Kung Fu Kenny”), SZA, meeting Stevie Nicks (“almost cried”), JAY-Z’s soft hands, and more.
“I just wanted to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for loving and embracing Melodrama the way you did,” Lorde continued her note. In the end, the Album of the Year award went to Bruno Mars, but the young singer was grateful for the nomination, and most of all, for her fans.
“My nomination belongs to you. Thank you, also, for believing in female musicians. You set a beautiful precedent! All my love, Lorde.”
Full-page letter from @lorde in today's @nzherald: 'Thank you, also, for believing in female musicians' pic.twitter.com/Z86VXCCpvl
— Shayne Currie (@ShayneCurrieNZH) January 30, 2018
While the singer did not specifically mention her lack of a performance, her emphasis on believing in female musicians resonates in the face of the #GrammysSoMale controversy surrounding the awards show.
Following the Grammys, the president of the Recording Academy said that if women wanted equality in the industry — including on his show — they should “step up.” While he later walked the comment back, claiming that his initial statement was inarticulate and stressing that he will fight for more balanced representation, many prominent female artists including Pink, Katy Perry, and Kelly Clarkson had already started firing back at the comments.
Lorde will begin a massive Melodrama world tour beginning in March, and following the Grammys, she invited people to comes see “whether or not [she] can murder a stage” for themselves.
What do you think of Lorde’s note? Let us know @BritandCo!
(photo via Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS)
