Natalie Cole: Amy Was Rewarded for Drug Problem
By Jane Ivory
14:15, February 12th 2008
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Natalie Cole: Amy Was Rewarded for Drug Problem

Natalie Cole commented after Sunday’s Grammy Awards that awarding Amy Winehouse with five golden statuettes sends a mixed message: though a tremendous talent, the troubled British singer is not a role model.

Over the past year, Amy Winehouse has become quite equally famous for her drug-related problems as she has for her rich, beautiful voice and critically acclaimed music.

Currently in a London rehabilitation facility to receive help for her substance abuse problems, the 24-year-old singer was not able to attend the Grammy Awards ceremony Sunday night in Los Angeles. Her visa was released too late to arrive on time on the other side of the Atlantic.

Winehouse did participate however, performing for her fans via satellite from the intimate setting of a recording studio in London. Not only did she sing, and probably delighted her fanbase with a healthier look than she has sported in months, but she was also the night’s big winner: five Grammy awards out of the six nominations she had received.

A tearful Winehouse declared that she was “proud and happy” and hugged her mother, who was with her at the locale.

Post-ceremony reactions appear to be mixed though. Take for example singer Natalie Cole, daughter of late musical legend Nat King Cole, who expressed her perspective on the matter, mainly that Amy Winehouse, with her very public drug problem, is no role model for aspiring artists, despite her tremendous talent.

“I don't think she should have won. I think it sends a bad message to our young people who are trying to get into this business - the ones who are trying to do it right and are really trying to keep themselves together,” she told People magazine.

Take it from the horse’s mouth; the 58-year-old Grammy Award winning singer has battled her own drug addiction, successfully, and knows what a struggle such personal issues are.

“I'm sorry. I think the girl is talented, gifted, but it's not right for her to be able to have her cake and eat it too. She needs to get herself together,” the singer added. “Her performance was fine. I don't take anything away from her talent. I just feel like she's stepping into a place that she hasn't earned yet.”

The bee-hived Winehouse received Grammy awards for record of the year, song of the year and best new artist, as well as best pop vocal album for “Back to Black” and best female pop vocal. She sang “You Know I'm No Good” and “Rehab” via satellite.

The singer dedicated her trophies to her family and friends and her “incarcerated Blake,” that is Blake Fielder-Civil, her husband of nearly 9 months, currently in jail awaiting trial on charges related to a 2007 pub brawl. Winehouse visited Blake hours after being crowned queen of the Grammys.

Last month, British paper The Sun posted a video on its website, allegedly showing the singer smoke a crack-cocaine pipe and talk about the six pills of Valium she had taken. Scotland Yard later stated it would look into the problem. Winehouse was questioned by police officers last week; she was reported to be cooperating.

Her record label, Universal Music Group, issued a statement in January emphasizing its support of “the most talented and important musical artist of her generation” and stating she “has made huge strides on her road to recovery.”



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