Rihanna was supposed to make an appearance during the Grammys to help promote ANTI, but the singer was not heard from. Lauryn Hill was also set to make a surprise appearance with The Weeknd, but she also pulled out.
During the red carpet, TMZ confirmed that Rihanna did arrive at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, but skipped the red carpet. She did attend rehearsals, but left. Sources told TMZ that she is fighting bronchitis and is taking medication. Her doctors suggested that she skip the show to help her vocal cords.
Rihanna was set to sing “Kiss It Better.” She confirmed on Twitter that she wasn’t going to be performing.
Hill was supposed to perform with The Weeknd, but her reps told Vox that her appearance should never have been advertized because she was very busy. It was meant to be a surprise because there was no way she could confirm the appearance. “Ms. Hill was invited to do a collaboration with an artist she appreciates. The performance was intended to be a surprise and unfortunately due to its last minute nature, was unable to come to fruition,” the statement read.
However, photos from the rehearsals leaked on Complex, proving that Hill was in Los Angeles before the Grammys. A rep for the Grammys told TVLine that Hill did show up, “but arrived too late for the performance.”
Here’s the full statement from Hill’s reps:
"The Grammy's announced a performance by Ms. Lauryn Hill prematurely and without approval. Ms. Hill had concerts all weekend, leaving no time to prepare, and was uncertain she would even be able to make it to LA in time to rehearse for the event. Any performance that could have happened was never confirmed, and should not have been advertised as such. Ms. Hill was invited to do a collaboration with an artist she appreciates. The performance was intended to be a surprise and unfortunately due to its last minute nature, was unable to come to fruition."