British pop singer Amy Winehouse performs during the Glastonbury music festival in Somerset, south-west England June 22, 2007. [File Photo: REUTERS]
Troubled British pop singer Amy Winehouse will perform at Sunday's Grammy Awards live via satellite from London, despite getting a last-minute work visa allowing her to attend the music industry's biggest night of the year in Los Angeles, her spokeswoman said on Friday.
Winehouse, who has six nominations, second only to rap star Kanye West, is currently in a rehabilitation clinic after a well-publicized battle with drugs.
A day after U.S. immigration officials rejected her visa application, Grammy officials announced early on Friday that Winehouse would perform from a London studio.
Later on Friday, Winehouse's publicist said the visa came through following further discussions between the U.S. Embassy in London and officials in the United States.
"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 U.S. government has been making it harder for foreign artists with blemished records or relatively little fame to perform in the United States.
Miller said she did not know what song Winehouse would perform, although the obvious choice would be her breakthrough hit "Rehab." The tune, which recounts her reluctance to seek help, is nominated for record of the year.
Winehouse's other nominations are for album of the year, song of the year, best new artist, female pop vocal performance and pop vocal album.
West, with eight nominations, will also perform, organizers confirmed. He has kept a relatively low profile since his mother, Donda West, died after plastic surgery almost three months ago.
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.
They are competing with each other in only one category -- album of the year. West's other nominations are in the rap field, where he is competing against himself in two categories.
Other nominated performers will include rock band the Foo Fighters, R&B singer Beyonce in a duet with Tina Turner and rock veteran John Fogerty alongside legends Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. The telecast begins at 5 p.m. PST (8 p.m. EST Monday).
(CRI/Agencies February 9, 2008)
