Alessia Cara Addresses Grammys Critics in New Statement

Alessia Cara continued to put Canada (and Brampton, ON) on the map by winning Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards in New York City last night (January 28), beating out SZA, Lil Uzi Vert, Khalid and Julia Michaels for the title. Many were quick to voice their displeasure online following her win, and Cara has now addressed their criticisms in a statement.

In an Instagram post, Cara noted that she was aware of "the apparent backlash regarding winning something I had no control over," writing, "I am not going to be upset about something I've wanted since I was kid, not to mention have worked really hard for. I meant everything I said about everyone deserving the same shot. There is a big issue in the industry that perpetuates the idea that an artist's talent and hard work should take a back seat to popularity and numbers."

She continued, "I will not let everything I've worked for be diminished by people taking offence to my accomplishments and feeling the need to tell me how much I suck. I've been thinking I suck since I was old enough to know what sucking meant. I've beat u to it. And that's why this means a lot to me."

Cara was the lone female artist who won her award during the televised portion of the 2018 Grammy Awards. Only 17 percent of the total awards handed out this year were given to women or groups featuring a woman, with other estimates coming in at even lower numbers.

Find Cara's full post below.
 

 

to address the apparent backlash regarding winning something I had no control over: I didn't log onto grammy.com and submit myself. that's not how it works. I didn't ask to be submitted either because there are other artists that deserve the acknowledgment. but I was nominated and won and I am not going to be upset about something I've wanted since I was a kid, not to mention have worked really hard for. I meant everything I said about everyone deserving the same shot. there is a big issue in the industry that perpetuates the idea that an artist's talent and hard work should take a back seat to popularity and numbers. and I'm aware that my music wasn't released yesterday, I'm aware that, yes, my music has become fairly popular in the last year. but I'm trying very hard to use the platform I've been given to talk about these things and bring light to issues that aren't fair, all while trying to make the most of the weird, amazing success I've been lucky enough to have. I will not let everything I've worked for be diminished by people taking offence to my accomplishments and feeling the need to tell me how much I suck. here's something fun! I've been thinking I suck since I was old enough to know what sucking meant. I've beat u to it. And that's why this means a lot to me. despite my 183625 insecurities, I've been shown that what I've created is worth something and that people actually give a shit. all of the years feeling like I wasn't good at anything or that I was naive for dreaming about something improbable have paid off in a way that I have yet to process. I know it sounds cheesy and dumb but it's the honest truth. thanks to everyone who's shown me kindness and support along the way. I'll stop talking now.

A post shared by ALESSIA CARA (@alessiasmusic) on Jan 29, 2018 at 10:21am PST