World Music Awards cancelled two days before Dec. 22 show
Read it on Global News: Global Toronto | World Music Awards cancelled two days before Dec. 22 show
http://www.globaltoronto.com/entertainment/world+music+awards+cancelled+two+days+before+dec+22+show/6442775970/story.html
TORONTO - Organizers have pulled the plug on the World Music Awards (WMAs), which were scheduled to be staged Saturday in Miami.
Several Canadians, including Justin Bieber, Drake and deadmau5 were nominated for the WMAs.
Producers announced Thursday the show won't go on as planned at Marlins Park Stadium.
"We are sorry for any inconvenience but this decision had to be made due to logistical and multiple visa issues and in view of this week's national mourning," reads a statement. "Fans have been a great support to the artists and have voted online in huge numbers."
Canadian nominees also included Carly Rae Jepsen, Nickelback, Bryan Adams and Michael Buble.
News that the WMAs were moving to Miami came just weeks before the show, raising eyebrows in the music industry. Organizers also started selling tickets without announcing any performers or presenters.
A press release issued on December 13 said the WMAs would raise funds for Superstorm Sandy victims in Haiti and "be beamed to 180 countries reaching a billion viewers." It also implied Jennifer Lopez would attend -- even though she will be performing a sold-out concert in Puerto Rico on the night of the WMAs.
"Jennifer Lopez has already confirmed her support for the cause and will receive a special World Music Award," read the release, "and also enter into the Guinness World Records for having the Most Viewed Female Video of All Time."
The same press release stated Tony Bennett would perform a Latin duet with a surprise guest on the WMAs and other guests would include Gloria Estefan, Italian pop star Tiziano Ferro and Chinese superstar Han Geng.
Contacted by Global News on Tuesday, the WMAs Miami-based publicist Brandi Kolosky said the show's "major talent" would be announced "just 2-3 days leading up to the ceremony."
The WMAs were staged annually at the Casino d'Monte Carlo from 1989 to 2003 before moving to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, London and Cote d'Azur. They returned to Monte Carlo in 2008 and 2010 but were not held in 2009 or 2011. Mariah Carey holds the record for the most WMAs, earning 17. Celine Dion was honoured with the Chopard Diamond Award in 2004.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.
---------------------------------
December 20, 2012
World Music Awards sham canceled, uses Sandy Hook tragedy as excuse
Read more here: http://blogs.herald.com/scene_in_the_tropics/2012/12/world-music-awards-sham-canceled-uses-sandy-hook-tragedy-as-excuse.html#storylink=cpy