Connect with us

World News

Grammy Awards boss Deborah Dugan fired

Published

on

Deborah Dugan recording academy

Grammy Awards boss Deborah Dugan has been sacked by the Recording Academy a few weeks after she was suspended over a misconduct allegation.

The Academy announced the news in a letter to members, citing “consistent management deficiencies and failures”.

Following her suspension, Dugan filed a complaint accusing her then employer of silencing her concerns over sexual harassment and voting irregularities.

Dugan said she was “disappointed” but “not surprised” about being fired.

“While I am disappointed by this latest development, I am not surprised given the Academy’s pattern of dealing with whistleblowers,” she wrote in a statement sent to AFP by her legal team.

“Instead of trying to reform the corrupt institution from within, I will continue to work to hold accountable those who continue to self-deal, taint the Grammy voting process and discriminate against women and people of colour,” she continued.

“Artists deserve better. To me, this is the real meaning of ‘stepping up.'”

The phrase “stepping up” referred to her predecessor Neil Portnow’s now infamous comment that women should “step up” if they wanted music industry recognition.

In announcing Dugan’s dismissal, the academy said its decision followed “two exhaustive, costly independent investigations relating to Ms Dugan and the allegations made against her and by her”.

It continued: “These investigations were carried out by experienced individuals with no prior relationship to the Academy, interviewed a combined total of 37 witnesses, and reviewed numerous relevant documents and emails.

Boys’ club?

“This is not what we wanted or what we expected when we hired M. Dugan last year.”

The letter did not specify what Dugan’s alleged behaviour entailed, beyond a sole accusation of bullying that was disclosed at the time of her suspension.

Nor did it respond to many of her allegations, which included a sexual harassment claim and an accusation about voting irregularities.

The industry body has previously questioned why Dugan did not raise these “grave allegations” until she was accused of bullying herself.

In 2018, the organisation created a task force in response to a major backlash that the Grammys are consistently too male and too white.

Dugan was hired in August 2019 to help correct these problems and rejuvenate the institution. But she claims she met resistance from the start, characterising the organisation as a “boys’ club network where men work together to the disadvantage of women and disenfranchised groups in order to line their own pockets and maintain a firm grip on the Academy’s dealings”.

The academy will begin searching for a new chief executive in the coming days, and said the process would begin by looking “carefully to see where the last one led us astray.”

SOURCE: BBC

Advertisement

World News

The Weeknd named World’s Most Popular Artist by Guinness World Records

Published

on

The Weeknd

The Weeknd has been named the world’s most popular artist by the Guinness World Records. (more…)

Continue Reading

World News

Uganda Anti-Homosexuality bill: Life in prison for saying you’re gay

Published

on

uganda anti gay

People who identify as gay in Uganda risk life in prison after parliament passed a new bill to crack down on homosexual activities. (more…)

Continue Reading

World News

Bad Bunny sued for $40 million over ex-girlfriend’s voice recording

Published

on

BAD BUNNY SUED

Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is being sued by his ex-girlfriend for $40 million over claims he used a recording of her voice without permission or compensation. (more…)

Continue Reading

World News

Three men found guilty of murdering XXXTentacion in 2018

Published

on

XX KILLERS

Three men have been found guilty of the murder of rapper XXXTentacion, following a month-long trial. (more…)

Continue Reading

World News

Rick Ross responds to his neighbour’s complaints about his roaming buffaloes

Published

on

ROZAY

Rick Ross is grateful to be reunited with his pet buffaloes. (more…)

Continue Reading

World News

Rick Ross’ neighbours ‘annoyed by his pet buffaloes’

Published

on

rik ross

Rick Ross’ pet buffaloes are causing a problem in his neighborhood. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending