Grammys 2021 Postponed Due To COVID-19 Pandemic Concerns

By Dana Cruz First Posted: Jan 06, 2021 03:40 AM EST

(Photo : Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Grammy awards

The pandemic continues to mess with long-scheduled entertainment events as it now rendered the Grammys 2021 postponed.

The idea of having the Grammys 2021 postponed was made after "thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host and artists scheduled to appear," the organizers said in a statement on Tuesday.

Instead, this year's Grammys, initially scheduled for Jan. 31, will be set on Mar. 14, Sunday. The Recording Academy said the "deteriorating COVID situation" in Los Angeles, where the event was supposed to be held, added to concerns that led to having Grammys 2021 postponed, reported Billboard.

The organizers believed that it was "the right thing to do" in the pandemic that has taken thousands of lives. The move ensures the music community's health and safety and the hundreds of people who are working to produce the music awards show.

The Recording Academy also expressed appreciation to the artists, staff, vendors, and nominees for their understanding.

Time reported that the "Music's Biggest Night" was supposed to be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, an epicenter of California's coronavirus.

The county had already passed 10,000 COVID-19 deaths that make up 40 percent of all California deaths. It is the third state to reach 25,000 deaths due to the coronavirus.

Limited Show in the Works After Grammys 2021 Postponed

In light of the pandemic, the Grammys already had a limited show planned for 2021, said a report from Rolling Stone. It was supposed to be an audience-free show where only presenters and performers will be on-site.

Nominees will also be absent from the Staples Center in the event. The setup will likely be similar to last year's Emmys, wherein the awards were accepted remotely by the artists.

Trevor Noah, the host of the late-night news satire show "The Daily Show," will be hosting this year's Grammys.

The Recording Academy representative did not immediately confirm whether he would be hosting despite the postponement. However, a representative for Noah confirmed that he would still take part in this year's ceremony.

The leading contender is Beyoncé, with nine nominations. Other artists who received a Grammys nod were Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Roddy Ricch, Jhené Aiko, Post Malone, Renée Zellweger, and Billie Eilish.

Several Latino descent artists were also nominated, including Bad Bunny, Arca, and Lido Pimienta, Remezcla reported.

Selena will be accepting a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be received by her family on her behalf. Performers for the award show will be announced at a later date.

Grammys 2021 Postponed After SAG-AFTRA, Producers' Guild Suspend Production

The recording academy's shift of the event into a later date came a day after SAG-AFTRA, the union representing professionals in show business, and the Producers' Guild called for a temporary hold on in-person productions.

Just as the Recording Academy said, SAG-AFTRA also pointed out the health crisis faced by Southern California.

"This is not a safe environment for in-person production right now," the union's President Gabrielle Carteris said on Monday.