James Corden Details Rihanna’s Canceled Grammy Awards Performance
Rihanna had an elaborate show planned for the 2016 Grammy Awards, according to James Corden. Unfortunately, since she backed out at the last minute, James was happy to talk what about what the singer had in store following the awards show. After all, she had personally asked him to introduce her.
James says that a few weeks prior, Rihanna had planned to perform the smoldering ANTI highlight “Kiss It Better,” though with an ’80s talk show theme. Naturally, a rep for Rihanna had asked James to play the host — “have, like, funny glasses” — and actually introduce her as if she was a special guest slotted for that night. Then on February 13, James rehearsed the performance with her, but he was able to see that “she was a bit under the weather.” He wouldn’t find out that Rihanna’s performance was canceled until he hit the red carpet.
Fortunately, veteran Grammy Awards host LL Cool J had a backup plan: Have James introduce that Lionel Ritchie tribute, featuring John Legend, Demi Lovato and Meghan Trainor.
“Based on Rihanna’s examination after Grammy rehearsal, Rihanna’s doctor put her on vocal rest for 48 hours because of a risk of hemorrhaging,” reps for the singer said backstage at the awards show, according to Vulture. “The antibiotics did not kill the infection adequately, therefore she cannot perform safely.”
Watch James Corden talk what was in store below.
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