Amy Winehouse Wins Big at Grammys

By: Shannon Gossage

Winehouse, 24, was not able to attend the Grammys but performed her songs "You Know I’m No Good" and "Rehab." Winehouse won awards for record of the year, song of the year, best new artist, best female pop vocal performance, and best pop vocal album. Winehouse, her parents Janis and Mitch, and her older brother Alex, enjoyed a dinner at London’s Riverbank Park Plaza hotel with a few friends before the singer was to perform.

The location where she was to perform was reportedly supposed to be kept a secret, but fans were lined up outside the venue chanting Winehouse’s name. Cuba Gooding, Jr. happened to be in town for the BAFTA awards and introduced Winehouse’s performance which began at 3:41 a.m. London time. Winehouse reportedly told the crowd, "I can’t believe I’ve won five awards. It’s a shame I couldn’t be there to accept the awards, but I’m so proud and happy that I had the opportunity to perform for the Grammys in my hometown of London with my family and friends around me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Winehouse checked into a rehab facility last month after a video of her allegedly smoking a crack pipe hit the Internet. She reportedly agreed to check into the center and her rep said that she "is following her treatment plan rigorously and making wonderful progress." Not everyone was thrilled that Winehouse won the awards. Natalie Cole spoke out saying that the troubled singer did not deserve to win. Cole said, "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 really trying to keep themselves together. We have to stop rewarding bad behavior."