Grammy's CEO Harvey Mason Jr Discusses Postponing 2021 Show Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

It appears that this year's Grammy Awards will be not be taking place on its expected date. The CEO of the Recording Academy has shed light on the postponement.

Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. discussed postponing the 2021 show amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Entertainment Tonight, the 2021 Grammys has a new date and a new venue.

In an interview with the outlet a day after the announcement, the Recording Academy’s Chair shared how they came to their decision and what fans can expect from the ceremony. The announcement was made on Tuesday that the show is being postponed.

The awards show was originally set for January 31. Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, it has now been set for March 14. “It was a decision that we felt was the right thing to do based on the decline of the health conditions in Los Angeles and the country,”

Mason Jr.

The Interim President of the Academy stated, “It didn’t feel like the right time to be having the show on January 31.” Mason Jr. explained that COVID-19 has impacted their planning process and how they are putting the show together.

"As we move to our March 14 date, it'll give us a little more flexibility to watch what happens and to have more conversations with health officials and continue to evolve the show," he

ET.

The record producer revealed that the show is likely to change and that they have done that on purpose to put on the best show. The songwriter also shared that the function will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Following the Grammy Awards rescheduling statement, the awards' executive Ben Winston personally confirmed the news on Twitter. Both the Academy and CBS decided to cancel the show.

The statement issued detailed that the worsening coronavirus state in LA, with hospitals being swamped, ICUs having reached full capacity, and the new direction from state and local governments, influenced their decision, stating that reaching their choice was the right thing to do.

According to People, Trevor Noah will be this year’s host for the Grammys. After the news of the awards show being deferred and the new date being revealed, the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards reacted to the news.

The organization was saddened to hear that the music awards show has been rescheduled on the same day the SAG Awards are expected to air. The unforeseen circumstances on the date change might cause a rift between the sister organizations.

The organizers say they are "extremely disappointed to hear of the conflicting date" and have announced the same date for the SAG Awards last July, specifically with consideration for other awards shows.

The institution added that they would appreciate the same courtesy from sister organizations throughout the industry. “The SAG Awards recognizes formidable acting performances, and we will again put on a spectacular show that accomplishes that mission,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Grammys 2021 nominations have Talyor Swift, Dua Lupa, and Roddy Ricch earning six, with Beyoncé dominating. According to People, Brittany Howard came close with five nominations.

Other musicians including Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Meagan Thee Stallion, and DaBaby, earned four nominations each. In 2019, Lizzo led the list of nominations with eight while Lil Nas X and Eilish followed with six.