After being unceremoniously snubbed at the Grammys – she was the only Album of the Year nominee to not be offered a solo performance, because 'there's no way can deal with everyone,' Grammys execs explained – Lorde took out a full-page ad in The New Zealand Herald, a New Zealand newspaper, to thank everyone (except probably not the Recording Academy, though) for 'believing in female musicians.'
The ad looked like a handwritten note from the 'Green Light' singer, complete with doodles, and said:
Oh, hi there! I'm writing this from New York City. [My brother] Angelo and I sat in Madison Square Garden last night and saw a lot of crazy and wonderful things. I just wanted to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for loving and embracing Melodrama the way you did. My nomination belongs to you. Thank you, also, for believing in female musicians. You set a beautiful precedent. All my love, Lorde.
This year, the Grammys were filled with conversations about how women are treated in the music industry. Breakout artist SZA had five nominations and one of the best performances of the night, but took home zero awards. Ed Sheeran won Best Pop Solo Performance, the only major category with four women nominated, for 'Shape of You' (over Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Kesha, and Pink). And then remember that Kesha, who also brought one of the night's most moving performances to the stage, is engaged in an ongoing legal fight with the record label keeping her locked in a contract with the man she said sexually abused her.
To make matters worse, Neil Portnow, the Recording Academy president, said women need 'to step up' if they want to see change. (Following much criticism, he later apologised for the comments.)
Lorde did not walk the Grammys red carpet, but attended the ceremony wearing an excerpt from artist Jenny Holzer's Inflammatory Essays series pinned to her dress, which read, 'Only dire circumstances can precipitate the overthrow of oppressors. The old and corrupt must be laid to waste before the just can triumph.'
Oh, and she also tweeted this link to her concert tour bright and early Monday morning:
