Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has shared a statement in response to Marilyn Manson‘s inclusion among the 2022 Grammy nominees, which were announced Tuesday.
Manson, born Brian Warner, is technically nominated as a contributor to Kanye West‘s Donda, which is up for Album of the Year. That 2021 is ending with Warner being a Grammy nominee raised some eyebrows, as he’s spent most of this year being accused of physical, emotional and sexual abuse by multiple women, including ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood, actor Esmé Bianco, model Ashley Morgan Smithline and Warner’s former assistant, Ashley Walters.
Warner, who’s facing multiple lawsuits, has denied the allegations.
In a statement to The Wrap regarding Warner’s nomination, the Recording Academy’s Mason says, “We won’t restrict the people who can submit their material for consideration.”
“We won’t look back at people’s history, we won’t look at their criminal record,” Mason continues. “We won’t look at anything other than the legality within our rules of, is this recording for this work eligible based on date and other criteria. If it is, they can submit for consideration.”
Mason does imply, however, that the Recording Academy may restrict Warner’s ability to attend the actual Grammy ceremony.
“What we will control is our stages, our shows, our events, our red carpets,” Mason says. “We’ll take a look at anyone who is asking to be a part of that, asking to be in attendance, and we’ll make our decisions at that point.”
The statement concludes, “But we’re not going to be in the business of restricting people from submitting their work for our voters to decide on.”
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