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Lorde has had a relatively turbulent Grammys experience this year. First, the New Zealand artist was nominated for the award ceremony’s most prestigious prize, Album of the Year.
However — unlike the other four (male) artists nominated for that particular award — the singer was not invited to perform solo at the ceremony, only later being invited to perform alongside other musicians in a tribute to Tom Petty, something she declined.
On the evening, Lorde failed to pick up the main award, while only one woman won a major award at the ceremony, leading to Grammys president Neil Portnow to call on women to “step up” their game; comments that have been widely criticised.
Grammys 2018 - in picturesShow all 30 1 /30Grammys 2018 - in pictures Grammys 2018 - in pictures Lady GaGa arrives on the red carpet
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina arrives for the 60th Grammy Awards
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Chrissy Teigen (and John Legend arrive for the 60th Grammy Awards
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Kendrick Lamar (L) and Rihanna, winners of Best Rap/Sung Performance for 'LOYALTY.' pose during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Recording artist Lady Gaga performs onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Luis Fonsi (L) and Daddy Yankee perform onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City.
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Childish Gambino (L) and JD McCrary perform onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Jay-Z, Blue Ivy and Beyonce attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Actor Katie Holmes poses backstage at the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Kendrick Lamar attends the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Recording artist Cardi B poses backstage at the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures T.J. Osborne, John Osborne, Maren Morris, and Eric Church perform onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Rihanna performs during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards show on January 28, 2018, in New York
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Jay-Z, Blue Ivy, Beyonce and Alicia Keys attends the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Kesha performs onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Kesha (unseen) is hugged by Bebe Rexha, Cindy Lauper, Camila Cabello and Andra Day during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Host James Corden (L) and actor Hailee Steinfeld attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures anelle Monae poses backstage at the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Camila Cabello performs during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards show
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Sir Elton John (L) and Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Ben Platt performs onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Willow Hart, Rihanna and Pink backstage at the 60th Annual GRAMMY awards
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Patti LuPone performs on stage the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Khalid, Logic and Alessia Cara perform onstage during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards
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Grammys 2018 - in pictures Bruno Mars accepts album of the year for '24k Magic'
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Following the ceremony — to which she wore a red gown adorned with a feminist poem — Lorde Tweeted “If you’re debating whether or not I can murder a stage… come see it for yourself” with a link to tour dates.
The Melodrama singer has since taken out a full-page advert in the New Zealand Herald, the largest newspaper in her home country, to thank fans for their support and readers for “believing in female musicians”. She added: “You set a beautiful precedent”.
Other prominent artists to have criticised the Grammys — including Bon Iver and P! nk — while the show’s ratings hit a nine-year low.
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