10 Celebrities Who Refused to Go to the Grammys

The Oscars are often called out for being unfair with their nominations and award winners. In past years there have been blows like #OscarsSoWhite because many have pointed out that so many nominations go to white actors and movies made by white people. But that’s not the only awards show that has been the center of controversy.

The Grammy awards recognize recording artists and The Recording Academy’s members nominate these artists and then vote on the winner. Since the choice is left up to the academy, the results don’t necessarily align with public opinion. There are many great musicians who have never won a Grammy, proving that the best don’t always win.

Over the years, artists have called out the awards show and even boycotted it for not recognizing minorities. So which celebrities over the years decided to stay at home instead of going to the show? Here are 10 celebrities who refused to go to the Grammys and why.

1. Frank Ocean

His album, Blonde was long-awaited and many of his fans probably thought it was a given that he would get a nod. However, he didn’t even bother submitting his work to be nominated. Frank Ocean became very vocal against the academy.

“That institution certainly has nostalgic importance,” he told The New York Times. “It just doesn’t seem to be representing very well for people who come from where I come from, and hold down what I hold down.”

This critique doesn’t seem to be coming from a bitter place. The singer and rapper won a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2013. However, he sees some issues with the system and wants to take a stand.

“I think the infrastructure of the awarding system and the nomination system and screening system is dated,” he said. “I’d rather this be my Colin Kaepernick moment for the Grammys than sit there in the audience.”