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Grammys chief Deborah Dugan suspended after misconduct allegation

<span>Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters</span>
Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Deborah Dugan, president and chief executive of the Recording Academy, which organises the Grammy awards, has been suspended following an accusation of misconduct – just 10 days before this year’s ceremony.

In a statement on Thursday, the Recording Academy said Dugan had been placed on administrative leave in light of concerns raised to the board of trustees, “including a formal allegation of misconduct by a senior female member of the Recording Academy team”.

The statement said two independent investigators had been appointed to explore the allegations, to restore the confidence of the membership, repair “employee morale”, and allow the academy “to focus on its mission of serving all music creators”. It said trustees were “committed to fostering a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, music industry and society”. Harvey Mason Jr, chairman of the board of trustees, will act as interim president and CEO.

Dugan has only been in the post since August 2019, when she replaced Neil Portnow, who had headed the academy since 2002. Portnow left after he was heavily criticised for comments made following the 2018 awards, in which only one woman, Alessia Cara, won across the four main prizes plus the pop, rap, R&B and country categories.

He said change “has to begin with … women who have the creativity in their hearts and souls, who want to be musicians, who want to be engineers, producers, and want to be part of the industry on the executive level … [They need] to step up because I think they would be welcome.” He later said that his words, “when taken out of context, do not convey my beliefs and the point I was trying to make”.

This year’s Grammy awards take place on 26 January. Top of the nominations pile is Lizzo, with eight; Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X are competing for six each. Lizzo and Eilish will perform at the ceremony, along with artists including Ariana Grande, Tyler the Creator, Bonnie Raitt and Aerosmith.