Natalie Cole Slams Grammys for Honoring Amy Winehouse Was it Justified?

“I’m going on record as an artist who is able to critique [Amy Winehouse],” Natalie Cole (a recovering drug addict herself) told reporters at a post-Grammys bash Sunday. “I think she has a great talent, but I don’t agree with the Grammys giving her those nods. I think it sends the wrong message, that even in the midst of her stupor of drugs she can get nominated for all these awards.

“It’s a slap in the face to musicians and artists who work very hard that they turn around and give it to someone who really obviously doesn’t have a grasp of what she has. I’ve been in this business over 25 years and I sacrificed five years of my own life on drugs and almost lost my life because of it.

“So I take great offence to almost see someone getting glory out of being in the position that they’re in — she needs to get her life together and embrace her craft, she will lose it if she doesn’t get it together.”