Rihanna will not perform at the 2016 Grammys, TMZ reports. A source “connected to the production” said Rihanna "reluctantly" pulled her scheduled performance of Anti track “Kiss It Better” at the advice of a doctor. She is allegedly struggling with bronchitis, and left the Staple’s Center after rehearsals.
A reporter from the LA Times confirmed the TMZ report on Twitter:
Confirmed. And I'm sad. So sad. #Rihanna #Grammys
— Gerrick D. Kennedy (@GerrickKennedy) February 16, 2016
The paper later published this statement from Rihanna: "Based on Rihanna's examination, after Grammy rehearsal today, Rihanna's doctor put her on vocal rest for 48-hours because she was at risk of hemorrhaging her vocal chords. The antibiotics she has been on for three days did not kill the infection adequately therefore she cannot perform safely."
According to a telecast schedule that was sent to The FADER, Rihanna was slated to perform early in the show, after The Weeknd and before a tribute to Lionel Richie. James Corden was set to introduce her.
Tweets appeared to show Rihanna at the Staple's Center Monday night:
Pouco atrasada (na verdade pra não ver a apresentação da Taylor), Rihanna no Red Carpet! #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/QspiH2zuAB
— ygu thunderfuck (@yg0rs) February 16, 2016
Update (2/15 10:58 p.m.): Rihanna tweeted an apology to her fans and CBS:
#NAVY so sorry I couldn't be there ..... Thanks Grammys and CBS for your support tonight.
— Rihanna (@rihanna) February 16, 2016
