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'Amy Winehouse didn't deserve Grammys win,' says singer Natalie Cole
Updated 15:13pm on 12 Feb 2008Amy Winehouse said she was "so happy and proud" of her Grammys victory on Sunday night, but it seems not every is sharing in her joy.
Singer Natalie Cole, daughter of late music legend Nat King Cole, has criticised the singer's triumph at the ceremony, saying she did not deserve to win any awards.
The Unforgettable singer, who has admitted to using drugs in the past, claims Winehouse is being rewarded for her "bad behaviour".
She told a US magazine: "I don't think she should have won. I think it sends a bad message to our young people who are trying to get into this business - the ones who are trying to do it right and are really trying to keep themselves together."
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Controversial win: Natalie Cole (right) says Amy Winehouse's Grammys victory sends a 'bad message'
Winehouse, 24, took home five Grammys on Sunday, including record of the year, song of the year and best new artist.
She also rocked the crowd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, with performances of You Know I'm No Good and Rehab via satellite.
But Cole, who scooped her first Grammy Award in 1975, told People magazine the troubled Brit was not a worthy winner.
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"I'm sorry. I think the girl is talented, gifted, but it's not right for her to be able to have her cake and eat it too.
She added: "She needs to get herself together. Her performance was fine. I don't take anything away from her talent.
"I just feel like she's stepping into a place that she hasn't earned yet."
Winehouse, whose husband Blake Fielder Civil is currently in jail accused of trying to pervert the course of justice, entered rehab at the end of last month.
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Triumph: Amy Winehouse took home five Grammy awards at Sunday night's ceremony
"She could die," Cole said. "This isn't something that's cute and fun just to throw around in the press.
"The girl really has a problem and I think, for those of us who have been in the business long enough, we know the sacrifice it takes.
"This is about discipline and hard work, and you don't just get to do your drugs and go on stage and get rewarded.
Former Grammy winner Cole described her own battle with drugs in 2000 autobiography 'Angel On My Shoulder', and confessed to using LSD, heroin and crack cocaine.
She entered rehab in 1983 and successfully overcame her problem.
Reader views (6)
ASHLEY: Our culture rewards drug addicts and the dregs of society
No Ashley it rewards talent!
- Rob Wakefield, London, 13/02/2008 13:30
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The Grammys are supposed to reward talent and performance - not lifestyle.
- Alexandra, London, 13/02/2008 08:00
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Oh please..the award was well earned. She wrote the songs, sang them and is very talented. Yes, she struggles with addiction, but willing to bet half the talented singers do/did. hen did you ever see Sinatra without a drink or cigarette in his hand. Natalie should struggle with her own demons and leave Amy to hers. If looking for role models... try gospel groups. Congratulations AMY! What do you want... drug tests before awards? Bye Bye Grammys! What a silly thought.
- Cj, UK, 12/02/2008 23:09
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Our culture rewards drug addicts and the dregs of society. We are living in a very strange world!
- Ashley Smithson, London, 12/02/2008 16:37
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Brian, look at her...drug taking clearly is not fine, and she is making no effort to hide the ravages that it leaves you with. I wonder how many stars hide their drug use, and are role models to children.
- Daveb, London, 12/02/2008 13:40
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Agreed, Amy is a real talent, but her life style puts out the wrong message to young people and to reward her is to say, "well drug taking is OK really if you have talent then its fine its acceptable", the reality is it isn't and it destroys many peoples lives.
- Brian, Wiltshire, 12/02/2008 13:14
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