Los Angeles: A day after saying "no, no, no" to troubled British pop singer Amy Winehouse, US officials on Friday granted a work visa that would allow her to perform at this weekend's Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
But the beehive-coiffed tabloid staple, who is in rehab for a crippling drug addiction that has derailed her promising career, will instead stick with her plan to sing live via satellite from London on Sunday
"Unfortunately, due to the logistics involved and timing complications, Amy will not be coming to the U.S. this weekend to perform at the Grammys in Los Angeles," said Tracey Miller, the singer's spokeswoman.
A US State Department official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said he believed Winehouse was initially denied a visa because of her acknowledged drug abuse.
She was recently photographed appearing to be smoking crack. "She's spoken out publicly about her drug addiction and problems and that is generally grounds for (denial of a visa)," the official said.
He did not know why Winehouse was given a waiver allowing the visa to be issued but said, "Usually people get a waiver for treatment."
Winehouse, who has six nominations, second only to rap star Kanye West, will likely perform her appropriately titled breakthrough hit Rehab. The song recounts her reluctance to seek help, with the refrain, "They tried to make me go to rehab/I said, no, no, no."
The tune received Grammy nominations for record of the year, song of the year, and female pop vocal performance.
She also received a nomination for best new artist, and a pair of nods for her second album, Back to Black. Experts expect Winehouse and West to dominate the awards.
"Artistically those would be the two artists that I think are most deserving of awards this year," said Spin magazine editor Doug Brod. The televised portion of the 50th annual Grammy Awards begins at 5 pm PST.
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