Recently, Los Angeles faced a heartbreaking disaster. As preparations for the Grammy Awards began, destructive fires swept through the area. Thousands of people lost their homes and now find themselves displaced across Southern California.
Just days before, Hollywood celebrated at the Golden Globes, marking the start of award season. But as the fires spread, many called for the cancellation of upcoming events like the Grammys, SAG Awards, and Oscars.
However, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Grammy executive producer Ben Winston felt it was essential to move forward. They believed that the show must go on.
“We know we’ve got the biggest stars in the world sitting there. We bring real awareness to what’s happened. We do serious fundraising for those in need. We pay tribute to first responders and showcase local businesses. Surely that is worth doing,” Winston said.
Mason Jr. expressed concern for the music community. “Some of our members have lost homes and instruments. One individual lost his entire studio, which is his livelihood. If we postpone the show, we can’t raise the money to help them,” he stated.
Speaking at the Crypto.com Arena, where the Grammy stage was being set up, Mason Jr. and Winston recognized the challenge of balancing joy and sadness during the ceremony. Their commitment to supporting their community shines through as they prepare for a night of celebration and remembrance.
