The Grammy Awards ceremony, scheduled for January 31, has been postponed due to “uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant” of COVID-19.
"Holding the show on January 31 simply contains too many risks," the Recording Academy said in a statement, adding it would announce a rescheduled date soon. The Recording Academy said it made the decision to postpone the ceremony “after careful consideration and analysis with city and state officials, health and safety experts, the artist community and our many partners.”
Last year too, the Grammys ceremony was postponed from January to mid-March amid COVID-19 concerns. When it was eventually held, it was a socially distanced event with minimal live audience, and pre-recorded performances.
The 2022 edition was expected to return to the usual gala format at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles. Jon Batiste is the leading nominee for this year's honours, grabbing 11 nods in a variety of genres including R&B, jazz, American roots music, classical and music video. Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and H.E.R. are tied for the second-most nominations with eight apiece.
Now with the Grammys being postponed and COVID-19 cases rising in the US, it could signal another season of postponed award ceremonies including the Academy Awards ceremony scheduled for March as of now.
