Nicki Minaj on Deborah Dugan: ‘We Need Strong Women That are Willing to Say What They Have to Say’

Nicki Minaj defended former Grammy chief Deborah Dugan during a speech at the Pollstar Live 2020 event on Wednesday at the Beverly Hilton. “Shout out to Deb. We need strong women that are willing to say what they have to say, even when they’re getting backlash for it,” Minaj said. “And every strong woman in here knows what I’m talking about.”

The Recording Academy, who hosts the Grammys, and their former leader Dugan have been in a contentious legal back-and-forth battle since the organization placed Dugan on administrative leave in January following an accusation of misconduct. Dugan fired back with a lawsuit, which claimed she was sexually harassed by the Academy’s General Counsel and that former CEO Neil Portnow had been accused of raping a foreign recording artist and Academy member. Both men have denied these allegations. She also questioned the voting integrity of the organization and mentioned diversity issues, among other accusations.

The brewing internal issue was not addressed during the Grammy ceremony on January 26th, save for when host Alicia Keys alluded to some strife. “Let me be honest with y’all,” she said. “It’s been a hell of a week.” Sean “Diddy” Combs also addressed the “elephant in the room” while accepting the Grammys’ industry icon award during Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy Gala in Beverly Hills the night before the Grammys.

Source - https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-defends-former-grammy-ceo-deborah-dugan-948480/