Natalie Cole has taken aim at Amy Winehouse’s five Grammy wins on Sunday night.
“I don’t think she should have won,” Cole said of the British singer’s triumphs, People reported. “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 really trying to keep themselves together.”
Cole, the daughter of late signing legend Nat King Cole, said that giving Winehouse, who is currently in rehab the accolades, was a bad move.
“We have to stop rewarding bad behavior,” she said.
Winehouse entered rehab in January to recover from “drug addiction,” her label said in a statement last month.
Winehouse took a short break from rehab to follow up on her visa status for the Grammys. Though she was originally denied a visa to the U.S., she was granted one at the last minute.
The “Back To Black” singer chose to stay in the UK despite the visa, instead doing a live performance from London for the Grammys telecast, singing “I’m No Good” and “Rehab.”
“Her performance was fine,” Cole said. “I don’t take anything away from her talent, but I just feel like she’s stepping into a place that she hasn’t earned yet.”
Despite Winehouse’s attempt to overcome her struggles, Cole continued to suggest she should not have received the awards.
“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 needs to get herself together,” Cole said.
Cole, who overcame her own drug addictions in the early 1980s, drove home her point of the seriousness of what she believes Winehouse is going through.
“I mean, she could die. 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,” Cole said. “This is about discipline and hard work, and you don’t get to just do your drugs and go onstage and get rewarded.”
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