Amy Winehouse. Photo / Reuters
LONDON - Amy Winehouse, who entered a rehab clinic last month for drug addiction, will not appear as planned at this Sunday's (Mon NZT) Grammy awards ceremony after the US embassy in London rejected her visa application.
However a source today told Entertainment Weekly Winehouse may perform live
at the awards ceremony - via a satellite link from the UK.
Winehouse has been nominated for six Grammy awards, including record of the year, album of the year, song of the year (a songwriter's award), and best new artist.
A spokesman said in a statement the 24-year-old had been "progressing well since entering a rehabilitation clinic two weeks ago.
"Although disappointed with the decision, (she) has accepted the ruling and will be concentrating on her recovery.
"Amy has been treated well and fairly by the (US) embassy staff, and thanks everyone for their support in trying to make this happen. There will of course be other opportunities and she very much looks forward to visiting America in the near future."
Winehouse is one of Britain's top-selling artists, winning critical and commercial success with her album "Back to Black" which has sold nearly five million copies worldwide, including 1.3 million in the key United States market.
But Winehouse's involvement in the Grammys ceremony has been in doubt for months because of her arrest for possession of marijuana in Norway last year.
The singer denies having anything to do with the marijuana and said she unwittingly signed a document accepting a fine.
She also appeared in video footage last month that allegedly showed her smoking crack cocaine.
Winehouse attended rehab clinics at least twice in 2007, according to media, but checked out on both occasions before her treatment was completed.
- REUTERS
