‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Weighs In On Natalie Cole Grammy Tribute Controversy

“Empire” star Jussie Smollett is weighing in on the Natalie Cole Grammy controversy. The 32-year-old singer and actor took to Instagram Tuesday morning to share his feelings on the award show’s decision not to give a proper tribute to the late “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” singer Monday night.

“For all you gave, you should have been acknowledged and honored in the correct way by your musical family and peers,” he posted. “Shame on those who thought otherwise. It takes nothing away from anyone else’s brilliance. We will remember, honor, respect and love you always Queen #NatalieCole. Only love.”

For those that missed the 58th Grammy Awards Monday night, multiple performers paid tribute to artists we lost in the past year. However, Natalie Cole, who died from congestive heart failure on Dec. 31 at the age of 65, was only mentioned at the end of the “In Memoriam” section. Cole’s family expressed how upset they were that the nine time Grammy Award winner did not receive a better remembrance at the ceremony.

“Here is a woman who has been in the business for four decades, had 21 Grammy nominations and won nine Grammys. She deserves more than (to be part of) a minute-and-a-half tribute,” Natalie Cole’s son, Robert Adam Yancy, told Entertainment Tonight. “It was shameless the way they minimized her legacy. We will find solace in her legacy as well as her endless fans around the world.”
Cole’s sister, Timolin and Casey, added to the outlet that they were “outraged” and “disappointed” by the “disrespectful tribute, or lack thereof.”

And the Cole family and Jussie Smollett are not the only ones who feel this way. Many fans took to twitter to express their outrage. Actress Holly Robinson Peete also used the social media site to comment on the controversy.