Every February, The Recording Academy presents Grammy nominations and awards to the year’s best singers and songwriters, and every year, they manage to disappoint at least one person. This year it happened to pop sensation Ariana Grande.

A few days ago, many of Grande’s fans were upset to learn that she would not be performing at the Grammys. No specific explanation was given for her withdrawal at the time; however, most fans and critics posed few questions. It seemed to be smooth sailing for the “7 Rings” singer with the debut of her brand new album “Thank U, Next,” but Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich just had to chuck a massive wrench at her.

In an article done by the “Associated Press,” Ehrlich stated that Grande, “felt it was too late for her to pull something together for sure” in regards to a Grammy performance. Ehrlich went on to say how the academy discussed a performance with her for about a month as well. This could have made complete sense had it been true, and not a slap in the face to Grande.

Grande snapped back at Ehrlich shortly after the publication of his interview. She released a string of tweets beginning with an excerpt of the “Associated Press” article, followed by her reaction. In one of her tweets, Grande wrote, “I’ve kept my mouth shut but now you’re lying about me. I can pull together a performance overnight and you know that, Ken. It was when my creativity & self-expression was stifled by you, that I decided not to attend. I hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more.”

Fans and other artists quickly jumped to Grande’s side after the fact, many voicing their support for her via social media, as well. Shortly after sending an array of tweets defending herself and after passing a Grammys bus with her face on it for advertising, Grande left the situation and moved the attention toward her new music video for her song “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored.” 

On Grammy night, as hundreds of stars were posting pictures of their bizarre and flashy red carpet attire, Grande was sharing a similar memory despite her absence. She released what will soon be an iconic photo of herself lying on the floor in a beautiful baby blue gown accompanied by the caption, “when @zacposen makes u a custom gown it doesn’t matter if you’re singing or not…thank u.” She continued to post seven different photos of her in what would have been a legendary Grammy gown. Again, Grande was shown a surplus of support, singer Bebe Rexha even commenting that she was best dressed.

After Grande received word that she had won best pop vocal album for “Sweetener,” the singer posted one last photo giving thanks to all the love and support, officially wrapping up her Grammy drama and going to sleep. However, Ehrlich wasn’t lucky enough to receive the same satisfaction.

Soon after Grande’s debacle with the producer, Nicki Minaj took to Twitter voicing a similar but more intense issue.

After many fans tweeted wondering why Minaj hadn’t won a Grammy yet, she stated that she was “pissed off the same man Ariana just called out for lying. Grammy producer KEN.” Minaj went on to say that she was bullied into silence for seven years over her fruitless Grammy nominations. The full story on this will be published on Minaj’s next episode of “Queen Radio.”

As a viewer, I must say it’s getting old watching powerful white men dictate the success and earnings of talented, hardworking and more than well-deserving females. Considering the entire theme of this year’s Grammy Awards was dedicated to female empowerment due to the deep lack of female nominees last year, Ehrlich shouldn’t have started beef with two of the most famous and influential female artists in the music industry.

If Ehrlich wanted to lie about singers, he shouldn’t have picked Grande, who threw together her Manchester benefit concert in just a few days, or Minaj, who paved way for budding female rappers. Even though these two female powerhouses are the only stories publicly known now, I certainly don’t doubt that more and more women will begin sharing their experiences with the music industry in the near future as well.

Email Kacey at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @kaceyconnolly1.