After reading this..

[kcmetzy 0]

Winehouse gets visa, but will miss Grammys

‘Logistics and timing complications’ won’t allow singer to attend awards

Kevork Djansezian / AP

Singer Amy Winehouse is nominated for six Grammy Awards.

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updated 4:47 p.m. CT, Fri., Feb. 8, 2008

LONDON - Amy Winehouse’s visa came through, but not in time for the rehabbing singer to make the trip to Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards, her representatives said Friday.

Winehouse will go ahead with her backup plan to perform live via satellite from a studio in London, where she would also be available to accept any awards she may win during Sunday’s ceremony. Winehouse and her acclaimed “Back to Black” album are nominated for Grammys in six categories.

“Unfortunately, due to the logistics involved and timing complications, Amy will not be traveling to the U.S. to perform at the Grammys in person,” the Outside Organization said in a statement.

Winehouse’s original visa application was denied under U.S. immigration rules regarding the “use and abuse of narcotics,” a senior State Department official said Friday, on condition of anonymity because the U.S. Embassy in London’s application deliberations are confidential.

The Department of Homeland Security had been “rapidly” processing her appeal, the official said. But the reversal, barely 48 hours before the beginning of the telecast, came too late.

“Amy would like to thank all of those people, in particular the staff involved at the U.S. Embassy in London, who have all worked so hard to expedite her application,” Outside said. “She is looking forward to being a part of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards with her Sunday night performance and to going back to the U.S. soon.”

Winehouse’s potent blend of blues, jazz, pop and soul has won praise from critics and fans, but her chaotic personal life has increasingly upstaged her music. Concerned family members regularly beg Winehouse to seek help in letters splashed across the pages of British tabloid newspapers and magazines.

Last month, The Sun newspaper ran still images from a video that it claimed showed Winehouse inhaling fumes from a small pipe. The images were said to have been filmed during a party at her London home.

Shortly thereafter, Winehouse entered a London rehabilitation center, and has been questioned by police. Outside said earlier Friday that she was leaving the center to prepare for her performance. It added that the singer would remain under medical supervision.

[kcmetzy 0]

I guess I should explain why this bothers me so much. Good people like Ron/Sharon get denied their visa because of something (minor in my opinion) that happened 27 years ago!! The waiver for that could take up to 18 months.

Amy Winehouse is open about her drug addictions, currently using drugs, in and out of rehab, has videos on youtube smoking crack, sings songs about drugs, and HER visa denial is overturned in 48 hours!!

I have a serious problem with that.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

oh but you are forgetting, she's a celebrity, she's above all of us remember?

[Jasman0717 9]

I am never embarrassed being an American. Right, wrong or indifferent, this is still the best place to live. If you don't like something do something about fixing it

[Nagishkaw 510]

I guess I should explain why this bothers me so much. Good people like Ron/Sharon get denied their visa because of something (minor in my opinion) that happened 27 years ago!! The waiver for that could take up to 18 months.

Amy Winehouse is open about her drug addictions, currently using drugs, in and out of rehab, has videos on youtube smoking crack, sings songs about drugs, and HER visa denial is overturned in 48 hours!!

I have a serious problem with that.

Exactly. As Jim said, America right or wrong, well, in this case they are clearly wrong.

[kcmetzy 0]

I am never embarrassed being an American. Right, wrong or indifferent, this is still the best place to live. If you don't like something do something about fixing it

Maybe embarassed was a harsh word to use...

I'm just disappointed in the immigration process. It's really sad that the rules don't apply to everyone.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I wouldn't say it's the best place to live. Many different countries have many different things to offer. The U.S. is one of the best though.

I agree KC, why doesn't it apply to everyone?

[Delicia 1]

I saw a similar story in Canada shortly before I moved back to the U.S. There is this pro basketball player who came from ummm some other country and originally his family moved to Canada. After a couple years in Canada the parents realized they have a potential sports star child and they moved to the U.S. so that the kid could go through high school and college in a more competitive environment. He graduates and is drafted by the NBA. He plays a few years and then decides he would like to play for the Canadian national team (or Olympic, I can't remember which) and it only takes him a few weeks to get Canadian citizenship. Never mind that his PR status had long expired and he didn't even meet the minimum to even get a PR card anymore since he and his family lived in the U.S.

The immigration system, on both sides of the border, has 'special' rules for athletes and entertainers and the very wealthy.

[KarenCee 3]

I am never embarrassed being an American. Right, wrong or indifferent, this is still the best place to live. If you don't like something do something about fixing it

True Jim, but how does one go about "fixing" something like this? What is your suggestion? Not trying to pick an argument here, just genuinely asking.

We, as individuals do NOT have the power or influence to do anything regarding this kind of situation. It is THIS that infuriates me and many others that go through this process...why should she have any speical rights or privileges just because she's an entertainer? No, I'm not embarassed as an American, but I am highly upset.

Winehouse’s original visa application was denied under U.S. immigration rules regarding the “use and abuse of narcotics,” a senior State Department official said Friday, on condition of anonymity because the U.S. Embassy in London’s application deliberations are confidential.

The Department of Homeland Security had been “rapidly” processing her appeal, the official said. But the reversal, barely 48 hours before the beginning of the telecast, came too late.

“Amy would like to thank all of those people, in particular the staff involved at the U.S. Embassy in London, who have all worked so hard to expedite her application,” Outside said. “She is looking forward to being a part of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards with her Sunday night performance and to going back to the U.S. soon.”

[Jasman0717 9]

I am never embarrassed being an American. Right, wrong or indifferent, this is still the best place to live. If you don't like something do something about fixing it

True Jim, but how does one go about "fixing" something like this? What is your suggestion? Not trying to pick an argument here, just genuinely asking.

We, as individuals do NOT have the power or influence to do anything regarding this kind of situation. It is THIS that infuriates me and many others that go through this process...why should she have any speical rights or privileges just because she's an entertainer? No, I'm not embarassed as an American, but I am highly upset.

Winehouse's original visa application was denied under U.S. immigration rules regarding the "use and abuse of narcotics," a senior State Department official said Friday, on condition of anonymity because the U.S. Embassy in London's application deliberations are confidential.

The Department of Homeland Security had been "rapidly" processing her appeal, the official said. But the reversal, barely 48 hours before the beginning of the telecast, came too late.

"Amy would like to thank all of those people, in particular the staff involved at the U.S. Embassy in London, who have all worked so hard to expedite her application," Outside said. "She is looking forward to being a part of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards with her Sunday night performance and to going back to the U.S. soon."

Any situation requires research and a plan of action. One just needs to formulate what needs to be done and then follow through with it. The wonderful thing about being an American is you do have the ability to take action.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Any situation requires research and a plan of action. One just needs to formulate what needs to be done and then follow through with it. The wonderful thing about being an American is you do have the ability to take action.

That's all well and good but we still have no control over this. It's infuriating.

[Earmuffs 1]

Amy Whinehouse sucks..

She shouldnt be allowed out in public anywhere in the world..

The only sign of hope is that she will probably overdose soon..

Edited February 10, 2008 by Earmuffs

[JMacQueen 0]

A visa to fly over, play a few songs, collect some awards and leave is one thing. Immigration to a new country is something entirely different.

Let's not confuse the two.

[mnieto 2]

A visa to fly over, play a few songs, collect some awards and leave is one thing. Immigration to a new country is something entirely different.

Let's not confuse the two.

... good point!

[LadyJane 1]

Imagine my disgust (and steady streams of "####### dude") when I read that our senator expedited the passage of two dogs to the USA. They were adopted by a soldier in Iraq and, when he died in his sleep, his family wanted to adopt the dogs. Yay for the dogs.

Bah for my husband and me.