Updated, 12:33 Pm: A federal judge in Manhattan has thrown out a sexual assault lawsuit filed last year against Former Recording Academy President Neil Portnow after the accuser cited safety concerns over her name being revealed in court.
The suit filed in early November alleged that Portnow drugged and raped the plaintiff in a New York City hotel room in 2018, when he was still chief of the Academy. Judge Analisa Torres of Federal District Court dismissed the suit without prejudice, which means that it could be refiled later.
“Jaa Doe’s request to dismiss her claims against me follows the decision of the fifth set of attorneys to withdraw from representing her,” Portnow said in a statement after the dismissal. “The latest attorney was the only one to actually file a lawsuit, as all of the prior ones chose not to continue once my counsel highlighted written communications from Jaa...
The suit filed in early November alleged that Portnow drugged and raped the plaintiff in a New York City hotel room in 2018, when he was still chief of the Academy. Judge Analisa Torres of Federal District Court dismissed the suit without prejudice, which means that it could be refiled later.
“Jaa Doe’s request to dismiss her claims against me follows the decision of the fifth set of attorneys to withdraw from representing her,” Portnow said in a statement after the dismissal. “The latest attorney was the only one to actually file a lawsuit, as all of the prior ones chose not to continue once my counsel highlighted written communications from Jaa...
- 5/20/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
A federal judge dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit filed against CEO Neil Portnow in 2023 over a week after the Jane Doe accuser who filed the suit requested the dismissal.
The accuser’s allegations against Portnow first surfaced in January 2020 as part of his successor Deborah Dugan’s discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after she was ousted just over a week before the 62nd Grammy Awards.
While Portnow called the sexual assault accusations “ludicrous and untrue” amid the Dugan lawsuit, the Jane Doe plaintiff — described only as a...
The accuser’s allegations against Portnow first surfaced in January 2020 as part of his successor Deborah Dugan’s discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after she was ousted just over a week before the 62nd Grammy Awards.
While Portnow called the sexual assault accusations “ludicrous and untrue” amid the Dugan lawsuit, the Jane Doe plaintiff — described only as a...
- 5/8/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
A member of the Recording Academy who claimed Neil Portnow, former head of the Grammy Awards, drugged and raped her in a New York hotel in 2018 has asked the court to dismiss her lawsuit.
The move is a result of a looming court order that would force the woman to publicly reveal her identity.
In a letter sent to the court on Saturday, the woman said she was concerned about her privacy and safety. She also pointed to a conflict with her lawyer over communication issues and a “misrepresentation” that could have “significant implications for the case,” though he challenged Portnow’s motion to require her to use her real name just days before she voluntarily moved to dismiss the lawsuit.
On Monday, Jeffrey Anderson moved to withdraw as her lawyer in the case. He cited “irreconcilable differences” over the woman filing a letter to the court requesting dismissal of her case without his knowledge.
The move is a result of a looming court order that would force the woman to publicly reveal her identity.
In a letter sent to the court on Saturday, the woman said she was concerned about her privacy and safety. She also pointed to a conflict with her lawyer over communication issues and a “misrepresentation” that could have “significant implications for the case,” though he challenged Portnow’s motion to require her to use her real name just days before she voluntarily moved to dismiss the lawsuit.
On Monday, Jeffrey Anderson moved to withdraw as her lawyer in the case. He cited “irreconcilable differences” over the woman filing a letter to the court requesting dismissal of her case without his knowledge.
- 5/8/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kanye West has 24 Grammys total, making him the most awarded rapper in the awards’ history (tied with Jay-Z). Seven of West’s albums have won Grammys, and he has additional prizes from standalone singles, features, and production work behind the scenes. His last studio album, “Donda,” got four nominations including Album of the Year, and won twice in rap categories. With such an impressive track record over the span of two decades, one might simply assume he’s likely to be nominated for his new album with Ty Dolla $ign, “Vultures 1,” which has been doing great on the charts. However, “Vultures 1” comes after West’s public backlash due to antisemitic remarks, which doesn’t seem to have ended his career, but still looms over him.
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While the Grammys have many representation problems, they are sensitive to social issues. In 2019 Neil Portnow...
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While the Grammys have many representation problems, they are sensitive to social issues. In 2019 Neil Portnow...
- 3/13/2024
- by Jaime Rodriguez
- Gold Derby
An unidentified woman who sued Jimmy Iovine for sexual assault and battery has dropped her lawsuit against the Interscope Records cofounder.
A lawyer representing the accuser notified the court on Thursday that the case is “discontinued in its entirety with prejudice,” meaning it cannot be refiled. It is unknown if a settlement was reached.
In a statement, Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for the woman, said “the matter was resolved to the satisfaction of the parties.”
Iovine did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In November, an unnamed woman sued Iovine for assault, battery and violations of the state’s gender-motivated violence and human rights laws. She alleged she was “sexually abused, forcibly touched, and subjected to sexual harassment and retaliation” by the music mogul in August 2007 while she was contracted with Interscope, according to court filings.
Only the summons was brought. Lawyers for the accuser said a complaint would be filed,...
A lawyer representing the accuser notified the court on Thursday that the case is “discontinued in its entirety with prejudice,” meaning it cannot be refiled. It is unknown if a settlement was reached.
In a statement, Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for the woman, said “the matter was resolved to the satisfaction of the parties.”
Iovine did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In November, an unnamed woman sued Iovine for assault, battery and violations of the state’s gender-motivated violence and human rights laws. She alleged she was “sexually abused, forcibly touched, and subjected to sexual harassment and retaliation” by the music mogul in August 2007 while she was contracted with Interscope, according to court filings.
Only the summons was brought. Lawyers for the accuser said a complaint would be filed,...
- 2/20/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A former Def Jam executive has sued Russell Simmons for sexual harassment and battery, claiming the embattled label founder pulled a “wrestling move” to pin her to the bed in his New York apartment and raped her in the 1990s, according to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone.
The Jane Doe filed suit in New York federal court on Tuesday and is now among 20 women to accuse Simmons of sexual assault or harassment, according to the suit. Doe claims she joined the record label as a senior-level music executive in...
The Jane Doe filed suit in New York federal court on Tuesday and is now among 20 women to accuse Simmons of sexual assault or harassment, according to the suit. Doe claims she joined the record label as a senior-level music executive in...
- 2/13/2024
- by Cheyenne Roundtree and Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Russell Simmons has been sued for sexual harassment and battery by a former Def Jam Recordings executive, who accuses the music mogul of raping her at his apartment more than 25 years ago.
The plaintiff, who sued as a Jane Doe, is described in the complaint filed in New York federal court on Tuesday as a former senior music executive and video producer at at the label who currently works as a writer and producer. She says her career was stalled by Simmons’ systematic harassment of her in the 1990s.
According to the complaint, Simmons asked the accuser to visit his apartment in New York to approve a new video. He initially began to “wrestle” with her “in an attempt to appear playful,” but the “situation escalated into aggression,” with him pinning her down on a bed, the suit claims.
“Ms. Doe repeatedly told Mr. Simmons to get off of her,...
The plaintiff, who sued as a Jane Doe, is described in the complaint filed in New York federal court on Tuesday as a former senior music executive and video producer at at the label who currently works as a writer and producer. She says her career was stalled by Simmons’ systematic harassment of her in the 1990s.
According to the complaint, Simmons asked the accuser to visit his apartment in New York to approve a new video. He initially began to “wrestle” with her “in an attempt to appear playful,” but the “situation escalated into aggression,” with him pinning her down on a bed, the suit claims.
“Ms. Doe repeatedly told Mr. Simmons to get off of her,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Last night’s Grammy broadcast has generally received terrific reviews, but the Recording Academy wasn’t quite so lucky, with two high-profile performers making off-camera slams against the awards organization.
Both Drake and Phoebe Bridgers took some well-aimed shots at the Academy, with Drake’s broadside coming before the ceremony and Bridgers’ swipe during.
Prior to the telecast, Drake posted a clip on his Instagram Story of his 2019 Grammy acceptance speech (for “God’s Plan”) — a speech that was cut short during the show five years ago — in which he had harsh words for the Grammys. He accompanied his Story video post with a caption reiterating his 2019 speech:
Related: Grammy Awards Viewers Question If Taylor Swift Snubbed Celine Dion After Album Of The Year Win
“All you incredible artists remember this show isn’t the facts, it’s just the opinion of a group of people [whose] name are kept a secret...
Both Drake and Phoebe Bridgers took some well-aimed shots at the Academy, with Drake’s broadside coming before the ceremony and Bridgers’ swipe during.
Prior to the telecast, Drake posted a clip on his Instagram Story of his 2019 Grammy acceptance speech (for “God’s Plan”) — a speech that was cut short during the show five years ago — in which he had harsh words for the Grammys. He accompanied his Story video post with a caption reiterating his 2019 speech:
Related: Grammy Awards Viewers Question If Taylor Swift Snubbed Celine Dion After Album Of The Year Win
“All you incredible artists remember this show isn’t the facts, it’s just the opinion of a group of people [whose] name are kept a secret...
- 2/5/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
It was six years ago when former Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow told journalists backstage at the Grammys in 2018 that women needed to “step up” for their representation at the show after only men won out in the major categories. Phoebe Bridgers hasn’t forgotten.
“I have something to say about women,” Bridgers said after Rolling Stone asked her and her fellow Boygenius members Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus about women shaping the future of rock music when they came to the Grammy press room. “The ex-president of the Recording Academy,...
“I have something to say about women,” Bridgers said after Rolling Stone asked her and her fellow Boygenius members Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus about women shaping the future of rock music when they came to the Grammy press room. “The ex-president of the Recording Academy,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Women owned the night at the 2024 Grammys as female acts took home all the night’s televised awards, including Taylor Swift — who became the first person to win album of the year four times — Billie Eilish for song of the year, Miley Cyrus for record of the year and Victoria Monét for best new artist.
Phoebe Bridgers was the night’s top winner, picking up four honors: three with her band Boygenius as well as best pop duo/group performance for “Ghost In the Machine” with Sza, who also won three honors. Women walked into the show dominating the top three categories, scoring seven out of the eight nominations.
Swift even used her album of the year speech to highlight another talented female musician, Lana Del Rey, who was seated at the same table during the ceremony. Despite earning 11 Grammy nominations, Del Rey has never gone home with a Grammy,...
Phoebe Bridgers was the night’s top winner, picking up four honors: three with her band Boygenius as well as best pop duo/group performance for “Ghost In the Machine” with Sza, who also won three honors. Women walked into the show dominating the top three categories, scoring seven out of the eight nominations.
Swift even used her album of the year speech to highlight another talented female musician, Lana Del Rey, who was seated at the same table during the ceremony. Despite earning 11 Grammy nominations, Del Rey has never gone home with a Grammy,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Phoebe Bridgers did not mince words when talking to reporters backstage at the Grammys, calling out the former head of the Recording Academy after he was recently accused of rape.
Bridgers, who appeared in the Grammys press room alongside her Boygenius bandmembers Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus following their win for best rock performance, was asked about the future of rock and women excelling in the genre.
“I have something to say about women,” Bridgers responded. “The ex-president of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow, said that if women want to be nominated and win Grammys that they should step up. He’s also being accused of sexual violence. And to him I’d like to say I know you’re not dead yet, but when you are, rot in piss.”
In 2018, when women won only 17 of the 86 awards at that year’s show — and only two awards during the live show — Portnow told reporters,...
Bridgers, who appeared in the Grammys press room alongside her Boygenius bandmembers Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus following their win for best rock performance, was asked about the future of rock and women excelling in the genre.
“I have something to say about women,” Bridgers responded. “The ex-president of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow, said that if women want to be nominated and win Grammys that they should step up. He’s also being accused of sexual violence. And to him I’d like to say I know you’re not dead yet, but when you are, rot in piss.”
In 2018, when women won only 17 of the 86 awards at that year’s show — and only two awards during the live show — Portnow told reporters,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
According to Los Angeles Times, the Recording Academy allegedly used nondisclosure agreements in exchange for money to keep women from talking about sexual abuse within the organization. The paper claims that attorney Joel Katz, who will receive a Trustees Awards from the Academy tomorrow, once offered Terri McIntyre $1 million not to report alleged sexual assaults she suffered while working for the organization.
McIntyre, who was once executive director of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles chapter, told the paper she turned down the offers in phone calls with Katz. The...
McIntyre, who was once executive director of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles chapter, told the paper she turned down the offers in phone calls with Katz. The...
- 2/2/2024
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Vin Diesel has been accused of sexual battery by his former assistant who claims he assaulted her in a Georgia hotel in 2010 when Fast Five was filming.
In a lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Asta Jonasson alleges the Fast & Furious star pinned her to a wall where he groped and masturbated in front of her. The complaint names Diesel’s One Race Films, which allegedly fired Jonasson in retaliation for resisting his advances and to have the “assault covered up.”
In a statement, Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Diesel, said his client “categorically denies this claim in its entirety.” The statement added, “This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.”
Jonasson, who signed a nondisclosure agreement preventing her from discussing anything related to Diesel,...
In a lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Asta Jonasson alleges the Fast & Furious star pinned her to a wall where he groped and masturbated in front of her. The complaint names Diesel’s One Race Films, which allegedly fired Jonasson in retaliation for resisting his advances and to have the “assault covered up.”
In a statement, Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Diesel, said his client “categorically denies this claim in its entirety.” The statement added, “This is the first he has ever heard about this more than 13-year-old claim made by a purportedly 9-day employee. There is clear evidence which completely refutes these outlandish allegations.”
Jonasson, who signed a nondisclosure agreement preventing her from discussing anything related to Diesel,...
- 12/21/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When Julia Ormond sued CAA faulting the agency for encouraging her to take a meeting with Harvey Weinstein that eventually led to her being assaulted, the suit asked a pivotal question that may decide the case and lead to more legal action against the company depending on the answer: When did CAA’s top agents discover his history of sexual misconduct?
The answer to that question, the agency says, is not too long ago. Moving to dismiss the suit, CAA argues in a motion filed Tuesday that it learned of Weinstein’s crimes when the rest of the world did in 2017 and not before Ormond was allegedly assaulted in 1995.
“Plaintiff’s claims for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty against CAA turn on the premise that the agency allegedly knew of Weinstein’s history of sexual assault and nevertheless failed to protect her,” the filing states. “But the Complaint seeks...
The answer to that question, the agency says, is not too long ago. Moving to dismiss the suit, CAA argues in a motion filed Tuesday that it learned of Weinstein’s crimes when the rest of the world did in 2017 and not before Ormond was allegedly assaulted in 1995.
“Plaintiff’s claims for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty against CAA turn on the premise that the agency allegedly knew of Weinstein’s history of sexual assault and nevertheless failed to protect her,” the filing states. “But the Complaint seeks...
- 12/19/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mike Greene, the former president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, has been sued for sexual assault by the former head of the Los Angeles chapter of the Academy, who says he drugged and raped her in 1994.
In the suit, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Terri McIntyre accuses Greene of repeatedly harassing and assaulting her over the course of two years at the Recording Academy, which allegedly “engaged in a cover up” by hiding evidence of his history of sexual misconduct and had a “pattern and practice” of buying the silence of his other victims through the illegal use of confidentiality agreements.
In a statement, the Recording Academy said: “In light of pending litigation, the Academy declines to comment on these allegations, which occurred nearly 30 years ago. Today’s Recording Academy has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to sexual misconduct and we will remain steadfast in that commitment.
In the suit, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Terri McIntyre accuses Greene of repeatedly harassing and assaulting her over the course of two years at the Recording Academy, which allegedly “engaged in a cover up” by hiding evidence of his history of sexual misconduct and had a “pattern and practice” of buying the silence of his other victims through the illegal use of confidentiality agreements.
In a statement, the Recording Academy said: “In light of pending litigation, the Academy declines to comment on these allegations, which occurred nearly 30 years ago. Today’s Recording Academy has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to sexual misconduct and we will remain steadfast in that commitment.
- 12/7/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and its former CEO and president were sued today by a woman who alleges she was sexually harassed in a culture that permitted him and others to abuse, exploit and silence victims for years. Read the lawsuit here.
Plaintiff Terri McIntyre states in her Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleging assault, battery and harassment that she was hired as the Academy’s Los Angeles chapter executive director in early 1994.
“In that role, she was subjected to pervasive sexual harassment, battery and assault by the organization’s then CEO and president, Mike Greene,” according to the suit, which further states that Greene, who served from 1988 to 2002, and others in power “covered up the crimes and offenses, not only those crimes against her, but crimes against other young and vulnerable women.”
The Recording Academy issued the following statement to Deadline today: “In light of pending litigation,...
Plaintiff Terri McIntyre states in her Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleging assault, battery and harassment that she was hired as the Academy’s Los Angeles chapter executive director in early 1994.
“In that role, she was subjected to pervasive sexual harassment, battery and assault by the organization’s then CEO and president, Mike Greene,” according to the suit, which further states that Greene, who served from 1988 to 2002, and others in power “covered up the crimes and offenses, not only those crimes against her, but crimes against other young and vulnerable women.”
The Recording Academy issued the following statement to Deadline today: “In light of pending litigation,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
A former Recording Academy executive filed a lawsuit against former Grammys CEO Mike Greene as well as the organization itself, accusing Greene of sexually assaulting her multiple times when she was his employee.
Terri McIntyre, who served as the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles chapter executive director from 1994 to 1996, filed a graphic 55-page suit in Los Angeles Court on Wednesday, claiming that Greene, who stepped down as Grammy chief in 2002 amid other sexual misconduct claims, sexually harassed and assaulted her over the two-year period. McIntyre also named the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences,...
Terri McIntyre, who served as the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles chapter executive director from 1994 to 1996, filed a graphic 55-page suit in Los Angeles Court on Wednesday, claiming that Greene, who stepped down as Grammy chief in 2002 amid other sexual misconduct claims, sexually harassed and assaulted her over the two-year period. McIntyre also named the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Another sexual assault lawsuit has been filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs, this time by a woman who alleges she was “sex trafficked and gang raped” by the music mogul when she was 17 years old, in 2003.
The complaint, filed in New York federal court on Wednesday, marks the fourth suit filed against Combs in the past three weeks, during which he resigned as chairman of hip-hop TV network Revolt. It also names Harve Pierre, former president of Bad Boy Entertainment, and alleges a third unnamed assailant.
In a statement, Combs denied the allegations and said: “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.
“For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” the mogul’s statement said. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday.”
According to the complaint,...
The complaint, filed in New York federal court on Wednesday, marks the fourth suit filed against Combs in the past three weeks, during which he resigned as chairman of hip-hop TV network Revolt. It also names Harve Pierre, former president of Bad Boy Entertainment, and alleges a third unnamed assailant.
In a statement, Combs denied the allegations and said: “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.
“For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” the mogul’s statement said. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday.”
According to the complaint,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The surge of sexual-abuse lawsuits that hit some of the music industry’s most powerful figures last week isn’t over yet, several lawyers tell Rolling Stone.
Last week, as the window for New York’s Adult Survivors Act (Asa) was nearing a close, it brought forward one of the widest sets of allegations to hit the industry in years as renowned artists and executives including Axl Rose, Sean “Diddy” Combs, L.A. Reid, and Jimmy Iovine all faced lawsuits that detailed allegations of sexual abuse.
The act — which opened...
Last week, as the window for New York’s Adult Survivors Act (Asa) was nearing a close, it brought forward one of the widest sets of allegations to hit the industry in years as renowned artists and executives including Axl Rose, Sean “Diddy” Combs, L.A. Reid, and Jimmy Iovine all faced lawsuits that detailed allegations of sexual abuse.
The act — which opened...
- 11/30/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Sean “Diddy” Combs has resigned as chairman of hip-hop TV network Revolt, the company said Tuesday, as he faces multiple sexual assault and battery accusations dating back to the early 1990s.
Revolt said that Combs has stepped down to ensure that the network “remains steadfastly focused on our mission to create meaningful content for the culture and amplify the voices of all Black people,” according to a company statement posted on Instagram.
“Our focus has always been one that reflects our commitment to the collective journey of Revolt — one that is not driven by an individual, but by the shared efforts and values of our entire team on behalf of advancing, elevating and championing our culture — and that continues,” said the statement, which noted that Combs didn’t have an operational or day-to-day role in the business.
On Thursday, two women sued Combs for sexual assault under New York’s Adult Survivors Act,...
Revolt said that Combs has stepped down to ensure that the network “remains steadfastly focused on our mission to create meaningful content for the culture and amplify the voices of all Black people,” according to a company statement posted on Instagram.
“Our focus has always been one that reflects our commitment to the collective journey of Revolt — one that is not driven by an individual, but by the shared efforts and values of our entire team on behalf of advancing, elevating and championing our culture — and that continues,” said the statement, which noted that Combs didn’t have an operational or day-to-day role in the business.
On Thursday, two women sued Combs for sexual assault under New York’s Adult Survivors Act,...
- 11/28/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jamie Foxx, Axl Rose, Cuba Gooding Jr. Sued in Wave of Sexual Assault Lawsuits Ahead of Key Deadline
A series of high-profile figures in Hollywood are being sued ahead of a deadline to file lawsuits under a New York law that suspended time constraints on claims involving allegations of sexual misconduct for one year.
At the top of the list of defendants who are expected to be sued or were named in complaints filed Wednesday and Thursday in New York’s state Supreme Court: Sean “Diddy” Combs, Axl Rose, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jamie Foxx and Jimmy Iovine. On Tuesday, Bill Cosby was also sued in another suit from a woman claiming the actor drugged and sexually assaulted her in the 1980s.
Plaintiffs, who typically would’ve been constrained from suing under the statute of limitations, have been taking advantage of New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which revived the window to bring sexual misconduct claims for one year. It closes at midnight Thursday. This month, suits were filed against Combs,...
At the top of the list of defendants who are expected to be sued or were named in complaints filed Wednesday and Thursday in New York’s state Supreme Court: Sean “Diddy” Combs, Axl Rose, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jamie Foxx and Jimmy Iovine. On Tuesday, Bill Cosby was also sued in another suit from a woman claiming the actor drugged and sexually assaulted her in the 1980s.
Plaintiffs, who typically would’ve been constrained from suing under the statute of limitations, have been taking advantage of New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which revived the window to bring sexual misconduct claims for one year. It closes at midnight Thursday. This month, suits were filed against Combs,...
- 11/24/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Content warning: This article contains references to sexual violence.
Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose has been sued for an alleged sexual assault that occurred in 1989.
In the lawsuit filed in New York City on Wednesday (November 22nd), former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy claims that Rose “violently” raped her after the two met at a night club. She says that Rose invited her and former MTV host, Riki Rachtman, to his New York hotel room, where he gave them alcohol and cocaine. Kennedy eventually became “uncomfortable” when the musician began aggressively having sex with another model in front of Kennedy, encouraging her to engage in group sex.
The complaint states that Kennedy and Rachtman then left the hotel room, which made Rose “furious” and prompted him to “loom threateningly.” After finding Kennedy in Rachtman’s hotel room, Rose allegedly pushed Kennedy to the ground and dragged her by her hair...
Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose has been sued for an alleged sexual assault that occurred in 1989.
In the lawsuit filed in New York City on Wednesday (November 22nd), former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy claims that Rose “violently” raped her after the two met at a night club. She says that Rose invited her and former MTV host, Riki Rachtman, to his New York hotel room, where he gave them alcohol and cocaine. Kennedy eventually became “uncomfortable” when the musician began aggressively having sex with another model in front of Kennedy, encouraging her to engage in group sex.
The complaint states that Kennedy and Rachtman then left the hotel room, which made Rose “furious” and prompted him to “loom threateningly.” After finding Kennedy in Rachtman’s hotel room, Rose allegedly pushed Kennedy to the ground and dragged her by her hair...
- 11/22/2023
- by Abby Jones
- Consequence - Music
If it seems like the music industry is facing a moment of reckoning — this month, lawsuits were filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs, music mogul L.A. Reid and ex-Grammys CEO Neil Portnow — it might be, but it’s likely that these cases are making headlines all at once because a New York law that suspends time constraints on claims involving alleged sex offenses is about to expire.
All three of those high-profile cases were filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which opened a one-year lookback period during which civil claims that would have otherwise been barred by the statute of limitations could be filed.
The window opened on Nov. 24, 2022 — E. Jean Carroll’s defamation suit against former President Donald Trump was amended almost immediately to include a sexual abuse claim — and it closes at midnight on Thursday.
Gibson Dunn litigator Brian Ascher previously told The Hollywood Reporter that courts...
All three of those high-profile cases were filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which opened a one-year lookback period during which civil claims that would have otherwise been barred by the statute of limitations could be filed.
The window opened on Nov. 24, 2022 — E. Jean Carroll’s defamation suit against former President Donald Trump was amended almost immediately to include a sexual abuse claim — and it closes at midnight on Thursday.
Gibson Dunn litigator Brian Ascher previously told The Hollywood Reporter that courts...
- 11/22/2023
- by Ashley Cullins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sean Combs, the hip-hop mogul known as “Diddy,” has been sued for sexual assault by his former longtime partner Cassie, who accused him of repeatedly raping and physically abusing her for nearly a decade.
In a lawsuit filed in New York federal court on Thursday, Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura and was once under Diddy’s label, claims that she was “trapped by Mr. Combs in a cycle of abuse, violence and sex trafficking,” citing multiple incidents in which he allegedly “punched, beat, kicked and stomped” her. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records and Sony’s Epic Records were also named in the complaint.
The suit is the latest in a series of legal actions filed against prominent men in the music industry, including ex-Grammys CEO Neil Portnow and former Epic Records chief Antonio “L.A.” Reid, under the New York Adult Survivors Act, which revived the window to...
In a lawsuit filed in New York federal court on Thursday, Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura and was once under Diddy’s label, claims that she was “trapped by Mr. Combs in a cycle of abuse, violence and sex trafficking,” citing multiple incidents in which he allegedly “punched, beat, kicked and stomped” her. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records and Sony’s Epic Records were also named in the complaint.
The suit is the latest in a series of legal actions filed against prominent men in the music industry, including ex-Grammys CEO Neil Portnow and former Epic Records chief Antonio “L.A.” Reid, under the New York Adult Survivors Act, which revived the window to...
- 11/16/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Neil Portnow, the former head of the Grammy Awards, is accused of drugging and raping a woman in a New York hotel in a new lawsuit that was filed anonymously in the New York State Supreme Court.
A representative for Portnow called the allegations “completely false” in a statement. Stating that they are a “product of the Plaintiff’s imagination and undoubtedly motivated by Mr. Portnow’s refusal to comply with the Plaintiff’s outrageous demands for money and assistance in obtaining a residence visa for her.”
The lawsuit alleges that after a meeting at an Academy event in January 2018, Portnow and the accuser decided to meet at the Kitano Hotel in Manhattan in June of that year.
During the incident, Portnow offered the woman some wine. After she drank the wine, the woman lost consciousness, and she alleges that Portnow raped her. The accuser regained consciousness several times and found him assaulting her.
A representative for Portnow called the allegations “completely false” in a statement. Stating that they are a “product of the Plaintiff’s imagination and undoubtedly motivated by Mr. Portnow’s refusal to comply with the Plaintiff’s outrageous demands for money and assistance in obtaining a residence visa for her.”
The lawsuit alleges that after a meeting at an Academy event in January 2018, Portnow and the accuser decided to meet at the Kitano Hotel in Manhattan in June of that year.
During the incident, Portnow offered the woman some wine. After she drank the wine, the woman lost consciousness, and she alleges that Portnow raped her. The accuser regained consciousness several times and found him assaulting her.
- 11/15/2023
- by Zach Ament
- Uinterview
Neil Portnow, former head of the Grammy Awards, has been sued by a member of the Recording Academy who claimed he drugged and raped her in a New York hotel in 2018.
The lawsuit, filed in New York state court Wednesday, accuses Portnow of sexual assault, which the Recording Academy “aided and abetted” to “protect their reputations and silence Plaintiff and other women in the music industry.”
The case nods to Portnow stepping down as chief of the institution after his contract expired in 2019 amid self-inflicted scandals. This included him saying in 2018, in an interview following the 60th Grammy Awards in New York City, that women needed to “step up” if they wanted to be better represented in the music industry and the termination of his successor Deborah Dugan. The lawsuit alleges that Dugan was fired by the Recording Academy for refusing to bring Portnow back as a consultant after she...
The lawsuit, filed in New York state court Wednesday, accuses Portnow of sexual assault, which the Recording Academy “aided and abetted” to “protect their reputations and silence Plaintiff and other women in the music industry.”
The case nods to Portnow stepping down as chief of the institution after his contract expired in 2019 amid self-inflicted scandals. This included him saying in 2018, in an interview following the 60th Grammy Awards in New York City, that women needed to “step up” if they wanted to be better represented in the music industry and the termination of his successor Deborah Dugan. The lawsuit alleges that Dugan was fired by the Recording Academy for refusing to bring Portnow back as a consultant after she...
- 11/8/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Over three years after an allegation first surfaced accusing former Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow of rape, the woman who accused him has now sued the music industry exec over the allegation.
According to the suit, filed in New York on Wednesday and obtained by Rolling Stone, a recording artist listed as a Jane Doe alleged that Portnow drugged and sexually assaulted her in his hotel room in New York in June 2018, and that the Recording Academy “aided and abetted Portnow’s conduct to protect their reputations and silence Plaintiff...
According to the suit, filed in New York on Wednesday and obtained by Rolling Stone, a recording artist listed as a Jane Doe alleged that Portnow drugged and sexually assaulted her in his hotel room in New York in June 2018, and that the Recording Academy “aided and abetted Portnow’s conduct to protect their reputations and silence Plaintiff...
- 11/8/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
For all the posturing and promises extended to women in music for years, the music industry has proven almost entirely ineffective at diversifying the mostly male ranks that create music’s biggest tracks. That’s according to the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s latest “Inclusion in the Recording Studio?” report, which for the past five years has analyzed gender makeup of artists, songwriters, and producers behind all of the tracks on the Billboard’s year end Hot 100 and on the nominations for major Grammy categories, effectively quantifying how little representation...
- 3/31/2022
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
For many music fans and insiders, critiquing the Grammy nominations is an annual pastime. And each year, the Academy seems to find new and interesting ways to wind up observers. When the 2021 nominations dropped last year, the main knock was a complete shutout for the Weeknd. This time around, the issues are a little more complex. There are some noteworthy omissions among the 2022 field — no women in any of the rock categories; no Spanish-language or West African artists in any of the majors — but more concerning than who was left out is who was included.
- 11/23/2021
- by Andy Greene, Kory Grow, Jeff Ihaza, Julyssa Lopez and Hank Shteamer
- Rollingstone.com
The Recording Academy have reached a settlement with its former CEO Deborah Dugan prior to her arbitration hearings against the Grammys organization, ending an 18-month legal battle between the two sides that stemmed from her abrupt dismissal just days before the 2020 Grammys.
“The Recording Academy and Deborah Dugan have agreed to resolve their differences and to keep the terms of their agreement private,” the two sides said in a joint statement.
Dugan first sued the Recording Academy in January 2020 after being put on administrative leave following “a formal allegation of...
“The Recording Academy and Deborah Dugan have agreed to resolve their differences and to keep the terms of their agreement private,” the two sides said in a joint statement.
Dugan first sued the Recording Academy in January 2020 after being put on administrative leave following “a formal allegation of...
- 6/25/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
The Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees has officially appointed Harvey Mason Jr. as the Academy’s President/CEO, effective June 1.
Mason had been in the position on an unpaid, interim basis since January 2020. He was named to the post when former president Deborah Dugan was put on administrative leave 10 days before the 2020 Grammy Awards. She was terminated on March 3 of that year and has since sued the Recording Academy.
Ironically, Dugan was brought in following the departure of former CEO Neil Portnow, who resigned following controversial comments in 2018, when he answered a question about the Academy’s allegedly sexist voting and lack of female representation by saying female artists needed to “step up.”
Mason was formerly the chair of the Academy’s Board, a position he will now relinquish.
In a joint statement, search committee co-chairs John Burk and Leslie Ann Jones praised Mason. “We are delighted that Harvey...
Mason had been in the position on an unpaid, interim basis since January 2020. He was named to the post when former president Deborah Dugan was put on administrative leave 10 days before the 2020 Grammy Awards. She was terminated on March 3 of that year and has since sued the Recording Academy.
Ironically, Dugan was brought in following the departure of former CEO Neil Portnow, who resigned following controversial comments in 2018, when he answered a question about the Academy’s allegedly sexist voting and lack of female representation by saying female artists needed to “step up.”
Mason was formerly the chair of the Academy’s Board, a position he will now relinquish.
In a joint statement, search committee co-chairs John Burk and Leslie Ann Jones praised Mason. “We are delighted that Harvey...
- 5/13/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish were among the big winners at the 2021 Grammy Awards Sunday night.
The night notably saw all four major awards (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist) go to women — just three years after ex-Recording Academy president Neil Portnow drew fierce criticism for saying women needed to “step up” if they wanted to be acknowledged at the Grammys. Album of the Year went to Folklore, with Taylor Swift becoming the first woman to...
The night notably saw all four major awards (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist) go to women — just three years after ex-Recording Academy president Neil Portnow drew fierce criticism for saying women needed to “step up” if they wanted to be acknowledged at the Grammys. Album of the Year went to Folklore, with Taylor Swift becoming the first woman to...
- 3/15/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Dua Lipa dazzled in her performance of two of her biggest hit songs, “Levitating” and “Don’t Start Now,” at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
Lipa took the stage in a large, robe-like pink gown in front of a surreal, purple cloud background to perform “Levitating” solo. DaBaby took the stage soon after to perform his verse from the single’s remix surrounded by dancers. Lipa rejoined the stage later in front of the signature moon featured on the covers of various editions of Future Nostalgia. Following a brief dance break, she...
Lipa took the stage in a large, robe-like pink gown in front of a surreal, purple cloud background to perform “Levitating” solo. DaBaby took the stage soon after to perform his verse from the single’s remix surrounded by dancers. Lipa rejoined the stage later in front of the signature moon featured on the covers of various editions of Future Nostalgia. Following a brief dance break, she...
- 3/15/2021
- by Claire Shaffer and Brittany Spanos
- Rollingstone.com
Tonight, we come together — virtually — for the Grammy Awards, “Music’s Biggest Night,” and do our best to celebrate the music of the worst year of so many people’s lives. It’s finally spring, and as much as the season will bring back horrifying memories of what happened at this time a year ago, there’s also the pride and cautious elation that we’ve gotten through it, so far.
With a similar sense of cautious elation, we can feel pride that the music industry has largely survived the tragic past year, so far. Based on what Variety has learned from Grammys executive producer Ben Winston, CBS EVP Jack Sussman and Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason jr., tonight’s show will be celebratory but respectful, Covid-conscious but unifying, traditional but something new, a celebration of human achievement and endurance that will also be primetime, network-tv entertainment. Tonight’s show...
With a similar sense of cautious elation, we can feel pride that the music industry has largely survived the tragic past year, so far. Based on what Variety has learned from Grammys executive producer Ben Winston, CBS EVP Jack Sussman and Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason jr., tonight’s show will be celebratory but respectful, Covid-conscious but unifying, traditional but something new, a celebration of human achievement and endurance that will also be primetime, network-tv entertainment. Tonight’s show...
- 3/14/2021
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
Top Recording Academy officials agreed with Grammy nominees for best children’s album that the 2021 nominations for the category are not diverse, according to a report in Billboard.
The article states that during a Dec. 11 meeting with members of the Family Music Forward organization and two acts that asked for their nominations to be withdrawn from the category, Recording Academy officials — including interim president/CEO Harvey Mason, jr. and chief diversity officer Valeisha Butterfield Jones — conceded that the nominees and the nomination-review committee for the category were not sufficiently diverse.
Early last month, the Okee Dokee Brothers, Alastair Moock and collaborator Anand Nayak, and the children’s act Dog on Fleas publicly asked the Academy to withdraw their nominations from the category because all of the nominees were white. Following the Dec. 11 meeting, the Academy determined that the three acts will not be included and the Grammy for the category...
The article states that during a Dec. 11 meeting with members of the Family Music Forward organization and two acts that asked for their nominations to be withdrawn from the category, Recording Academy officials — including interim president/CEO Harvey Mason, jr. and chief diversity officer Valeisha Butterfield Jones — conceded that the nominees and the nomination-review committee for the category were not sufficiently diverse.
Early last month, the Okee Dokee Brothers, Alastair Moock and collaborator Anand Nayak, and the children’s act Dog on Fleas publicly asked the Academy to withdraw their nominations from the category because all of the nominees were white. Following the Dec. 11 meeting, the Academy determined that the three acts will not be included and the Grammy for the category...
- 1/8/2021
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
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The most sensational moment of the 2020 Grammys took place a week and a half before the ceremony.
With hundreds of artists and music executives en route to Los Angeles for the January 26th awards show and the bustle of events around it, the Grammys’ parent organization, the Recording Academy, suddenly announced that it was placing CEO Deborah Dugan on leave. Dugan — who’d been hired only five months prior as the organization’s first-ever female chief, replacing...
The most sensational moment of the 2020 Grammys took place a week and a half before the ceremony.
With hundreds of artists and music executives en route to Los Angeles for the January 26th awards show and the bustle of events around it, the Grammys’ parent organization, the Recording Academy, suddenly announced that it was placing CEO Deborah Dugan on leave. Dugan — who’d been hired only five months prior as the organization’s first-ever female chief, replacing...
- 11/19/2020
- by Amy X. Wang
- Rollingstone.com
As the music industry continues to explore ways of addressing longstanding racial inequality, the Recording Academy is partnering with civil rights nonprofit Color of Change for a series of new initiatives, atop a $1 million donation to the organization, the two organizations announced on Tuesday.
Color of Change will work with the Grammys’ parent organization on several diversity-based initiatives. It will help the Academy create a black music advisory group, which aims to get more black voters into the Academy, as well as develop a diversity summit for the music industry and tackle legislative issues.
Color of Change will work with the Grammys’ parent organization on several diversity-based initiatives. It will help the Academy create a black music advisory group, which aims to get more black voters into the Academy, as well as develop a diversity summit for the music industry and tackle legislative issues.
- 7/7/2020
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
When Harvey Mason, jr. took the job as chair of the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees last June, it’s safe to say he had no idea what was coming.
A veteran songwriter-producer who has worked with Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and Jennifer Hudson as well as film and television hits like “Dreamgirls,” “Pitch Perfect,” “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” and many more, Mason has also been a Recording Academy board member since 2007. He rose through the ranks and was named chair of the Board of Trustees last June at the same time Deborah Dugan was officially announced as president/CEO; the two of them took the helm of an Academy that had been rocked by scandal in the wake of former chief Neil Portnow’s misspoken 2018 comment that female artists and executives needed to “step up” in order to advance in the music industry.
A veteran songwriter-producer who has worked with Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and Jennifer Hudson as well as film and television hits like “Dreamgirls,” “Pitch Perfect,” “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” and many more, Mason has also been a Recording Academy board member since 2007. He rose through the ranks and was named chair of the Board of Trustees last June at the same time Deborah Dugan was officially announced as president/CEO; the two of them took the helm of an Academy that had been rocked by scandal in the wake of former chief Neil Portnow’s misspoken 2018 comment that female artists and executives needed to “step up” in order to advance in the music industry.
- 4/30/2020
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
On April 30 the recording academy announced that Valeisha Butterfield Jones will fill a newly created position in the organization: Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, who will report directly to academy chair and interim president and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. as of May 11. She will join the executive team to make sure “diversity and inclusion are core to business values and standards,” according to the press release.
SEE2021 Grammy Predictions: Album of the Year
Butterfield Jones previously worked as the head of inclusion for Google and was also the youth vote director for the Obama for America campaign and then worked in public affairs for the Obama administration’s Department of Commerce. She also founded Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, which promoted positive portrayals of women in the entertainment industry.
But she may have her work cut out for her at the recording academy, which has been in hot water in...
SEE2021 Grammy Predictions: Album of the Year
Butterfield Jones previously worked as the head of inclusion for Google and was also the youth vote director for the Obama for America campaign and then worked in public affairs for the Obama administration’s Department of Commerce. She also founded Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, which promoted positive portrayals of women in the entertainment industry.
But she may have her work cut out for her at the recording academy, which has been in hot water in...
- 4/30/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Following its public and controversial parting with CEO Deborah Dugan earlier this year, the Recording Academy announced Thursday morning that Valeisha Butterfield Jones, who was previously global head of inclusion at Google, has been appointed for the Academy’s newly established chief diversity and inclusion officer position.
Butterfield Jones has an extensive background in diversity and policy initiatives. She co-founded the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network in 2007, and before taking the diversity role at Google, she’d served as youth vote director on President Barrack Obama’s campaign and as...
Butterfield Jones has an extensive background in diversity and policy initiatives. She co-founded the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network in 2007, and before taking the diversity role at Google, she’d served as youth vote director on President Barrack Obama’s campaign and as...
- 4/30/2020
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Updated: In response to her termination Monday, ousted Recording Academy president/CEO Deborah Dugan’s attorneys have fired back at the organization with a supplemental charge of discrimination that includes multiple new allegations, including what it claims is evidence of an attempts by the Academy — and longtime Grammy Awards executive producer Ken Ehrlich — to influence the nominations process. The document also includes what it claims is new evidence of the Academy’s efforts to retaliate against her, particularly after her bombshell legal complaint of Jan. 21, which the new document supplements.
In the earlier complaint, Dugan, who was placed on leave just days before the Grammy Awards, accuses the organization of multiple instances of misconduct, including improprieties in the Grammy voting procedure; “egregious conflicts of interest, improper self-dealing by Board members… and a ‘boys’ club’ mentality”; “exorbitant” legal fees paid to outside law firms; and that attorney Joel Katz, an Academy...
In the earlier complaint, Dugan, who was placed on leave just days before the Grammy Awards, accuses the organization of multiple instances of misconduct, including improprieties in the Grammy voting procedure; “egregious conflicts of interest, improper self-dealing by Board members… and a ‘boys’ club’ mentality”; “exorbitant” legal fees paid to outside law firms; and that attorney Joel Katz, an Academy...
- 3/3/2020
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
The Executive Committee of The Recording Academy — the organization that controls the Grammy Awards — issued a letter to members on Monday informing them of the termination of President/CEO Deborah Dugan’s employment.
Dugan was placed on administrative leave 10 days before the January 26th Grammys for allegations of misconduct. She then lobbied her own accusations against the Academy, with an eventual Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Eeoc) complaint including claims of millions of dollars being unnecessarily funneled to certain law firms, as well as attempts to greenlight a $750k consultancy fee for predecessor Neil Portnow,...
Dugan was placed on administrative leave 10 days before the January 26th Grammys for allegations of misconduct. She then lobbied her own accusations against the Academy, with an eventual Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Eeoc) complaint including claims of millions of dollars being unnecessarily funneled to certain law firms, as well as attempts to greenlight a $750k consultancy fee for predecessor Neil Portnow,...
- 3/2/2020
- by Samantha Hissong
- Rollingstone.com
An investigation into recently ousted Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan’s sexual harassment allegation against Academy general counsel Joel Katz has begun, according to two documents sent to “elected leaders” of the Recording Academy Thursday evening.
The memo, sent by interim CEO and board chair Harvey Mason Jr. and obtained by Rolling Stone, said that the harassment allegations are being “independently investigated by a law firm with no previous ties to the Academy,” and addresses many of the other allegations Dugan brought forth in her extensive complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in January.
The memo, sent by interim CEO and board chair Harvey Mason Jr. and obtained by Rolling Stone, said that the harassment allegations are being “independently investigated by a law firm with no previous ties to the Academy,” and addresses many of the other allegations Dugan brought forth in her extensive complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in January.
- 2/14/2020
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Nicki Minaj defended former Grammy chief Deborah Dugan during a speech at the Pollstar Live 2020 event on Wednesday at the Beverly Hilton. “Shout out to Deb. We need strong women that are willing to say what they have to say, even when they’re getting backlash for it,” Minaj said. “And every strong woman in here knows what I’m talking about.”
The Recording Academy, who hosts the Grammys, and their former leader Dugan have been in a contentious legal back-and-forth battle since the organization placed Dugan on administrative leave...
The Recording Academy, who hosts the Grammys, and their former leader Dugan have been in a contentious legal back-and-forth battle since the organization placed Dugan on administrative leave...
- 2/6/2020
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
In the latest development in one of the nastiest ongoing fights in the music industry, the Recording Academy has a message for recently ousted CEO Deborah Dugan: Bring it on.
Last week, Dugan sent an open letter to the Academy asking for her arbitration clause to be waived, a request that would allow the process to be open to the public. On Tuesday, the Academy responded, proposing instead to keep arbitration but waive the confidentiality provision that could potentially bring more public transparency to the arbitration itself.
Dugan signed...
Last week, Dugan sent an open letter to the Academy asking for her arbitration clause to be waived, a request that would allow the process to be open to the public. On Tuesday, the Academy responded, proposing instead to keep arbitration but waive the confidentiality provision that could potentially bring more public transparency to the arbitration itself.
Dugan signed...
- 2/5/2020
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Ousted Grammys president and CEO Deborah Dugan sent an open letter to the Recording Academy’s Executive Committee, asking them to release her from her arbitration clause and ensure the investigation “call[s] for transparency and accountability.”
The letter follows an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint Dugan filed after she was put on administrative leave just over a week before the 62nd Grammy Awards. She claimed the Recording Academy was a “boys’ club” rife with self-dealing, conflicts of interest, voter manipulation and financial impropriety.
She also claimed that the Recording Academy’s outside counsel,...
The letter follows an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint Dugan filed after she was put on administrative leave just over a week before the 62nd Grammy Awards. She claimed the Recording Academy was a “boys’ club” rife with self-dealing, conflicts of interest, voter manipulation and financial impropriety.
She also claimed that the Recording Academy’s outside counsel,...
- 1/29/2020
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
If you’re looking to catch Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and Billie Eilish performing at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night, but aren’t sure how to watch it, we have you covered.
The show, being broadcast live from Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, will air on CBS at 8:00 p.m. Et for old school TV viewers. And if you’re looking to (legally) stream the Grammys, CBS All-Access, which costs $5.99 per month on the low end, will be carrying the ceremony. Customers with Hulu with Live TV or YouTube TV will also be able to watch the show.
Live coverage of the red carpet will be streaming on Grammys.com.
Also Read: Ousted Grammy CEO Deborah Dugan Says General Counsel Propositioned Her in 'Power-Setting Move' (Video)
This year’s show comes amid explosive accusations from Deborah Dugan, the former National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences,...
The show, being broadcast live from Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, will air on CBS at 8:00 p.m. Et for old school TV viewers. And if you’re looking to (legally) stream the Grammys, CBS All-Access, which costs $5.99 per month on the low end, will be carrying the ceremony. Customers with Hulu with Live TV or YouTube TV will also be able to watch the show.
Live coverage of the red carpet will be streaming on Grammys.com.
Also Read: Ousted Grammy CEO Deborah Dugan Says General Counsel Propositioned Her in 'Power-Setting Move' (Video)
This year’s show comes amid explosive accusations from Deborah Dugan, the former National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences,...
- 1/24/2020
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
As the Deborah Dugan controversy continues to swirl around the Recording Academy ahead of Music’s Biggest Night this weekend, the group’s Chief Awards Officer is defending its Grammy Awards nomination process.
“It is the goal of the Recording Academy to ensure the Grammy Awards process is led in a fair and ethical manner and that voting members make their choices based solely on the artistic excellence and technical merits of eligible recordings,” Bill Freimuth said in a statement today.
He added: “Spurious allegations claiming members or committees use our process to push forward nominations for artists they have relationships with are categorically false, misleading and wrong.”
Read the statement in full below.
His remarks come on the heels of fired former Recording Academy President and CEO’s recent comments that the Grammy Awards voting process is “ripe with corruption.” The ousted former exec went on a pair of...
“It is the goal of the Recording Academy to ensure the Grammy Awards process is led in a fair and ethical manner and that voting members make their choices based solely on the artistic excellence and technical merits of eligible recordings,” Bill Freimuth said in a statement today.
He added: “Spurious allegations claiming members or committees use our process to push forward nominations for artists they have relationships with are categorically false, misleading and wrong.”
Read the statement in full below.
His remarks come on the heels of fired former Recording Academy President and CEO’s recent comments that the Grammy Awards voting process is “ripe with corruption.” The ousted former exec went on a pair of...
- 1/23/2020
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with CBS This Morning comments: Deborah Dugan, the ousted CEO of the Recording Academy, renewed her attacks on the institution in interviews Thursday on ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS This Morning, the latter on the longtime network of the Grammy Awards.
On Gma, she said she will still be watching Sunday’s Grammys despite a “tainted” voting process. (Watch video of the Gma segment below).
On CBS This Morning, she described what others have called “secret meetings.” “In that room not only are there trustees that have conflicts of interest on particular artists that are nominated, but more importantly there are even artists that are nominated that are in the room,” she said. “So for me that’s just such a blatant conflict of interest.” (See that video above.)
In her complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Dugan claimed she was sexually harassed by Joel Katz,...
On Gma, she said she will still be watching Sunday’s Grammys despite a “tainted” voting process. (Watch video of the Gma segment below).
On CBS This Morning, she described what others have called “secret meetings.” “In that room not only are there trustees that have conflicts of interest on particular artists that are nominated, but more importantly there are even artists that are nominated that are in the room,” she said. “So for me that’s just such a blatant conflict of interest.” (See that video above.)
In her complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Dugan claimed she was sexually harassed by Joel Katz,...
- 1/23/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Ousted Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan discussed the Grammys’ “boys club,” voting irregularities and sexual harassment in an interview on Good Morning America Thursday.
The interview marked Dugan’s first public appearance since she was put on administrative leave last week — just 10 days before the Grammys — and then filed an explosive complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
While the Academy claimed she was ousted because of a “formal allegation of misconduct” against her, Dugan, in her complaint, said it was retaliation for a December 3rd email in which she...
The interview marked Dugan’s first public appearance since she was put on administrative leave last week — just 10 days before the Grammys — and then filed an explosive complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
While the Academy claimed she was ousted because of a “formal allegation of misconduct” against her, Dugan, in her complaint, said it was retaliation for a December 3rd email in which she...
- 1/23/2020
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
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