Shari Belafonte Is 'Appalled' Late Dad Harry Belafonte Wasn't Given a 'Special Tribute' at 2024 Grammys

Mar. 15, 2025

Harry Belafonte and Shari Belafonte in New York City in October 2010.Photo:Michael N. Todaro/FilmMagic

Michael N. Todaro/FilmMagic

The 2024Grammy Awardshonored the late musiciansTina Turner,Tony Bennett,Sinead O’ConnorandClarence Avantwith tribute performances during the ceremony’s “In Memoriam” segment. But Shari Belafonte thinks her late father, the legendaryHarry Belafonte, deserved more of a moment.

The actress and musician opened up about her feelings inan essay for Deadlineon Friday, detailing Harry’s many cultural accomplishments and advocating for a more substantial tribute for the Grammy-winning calypso artist, whodied of congestive heart failure at age 96 in April 2023.

“So many talented, wonderful people left us this past year. But to me, the standout obviously would be my father, Harry Belafonte,” wrote Shari, 69, whose father was included in a slideshow at the ceremony but not specially highlighted.

Harry Belafonte and Shari Belafonte in Los Angeles in 2006.SGranitz/WireImage

SGranitz/WireImage

“There have been numerous homages made to Harry sincehis passing in April of last year. There will be many more,” she added. “But the one you would immediately imagine to be grand would’ve been the one the Grammys would have done. And yet, a two-second picture of him on the screen was all that was allotted.”

Shari continued, “Now don’t get me wrong. While the folks who had a bit more of a shout-out this year were absolutely deserving of the accolades, I’m a bit appalled that Harry was not included in a ‘Special Tribute’ section. And I’m not just saying that because he was my father.”

TheMorning Showstar explained that Harry was the first Black man to win anEmmy, holds EGOT status and became both a Kennedy Center honoree and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee throughout his career. He also pitched the idea for 1985’s charity hit “We Are the World,” as chronicled in the recent documentaryThe Greatest Night in Pop.

Harry Belafonte.Archive Photos/Getty

In addition to introducing calypso music to a wide audience, Harry was a dedicated activist in the civil rights movement and helped organize many participants of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

“He is the one that created Artists and Athletes Against Apartheid bringing light to the plight of apartheid and the incarceration of Nelson Mandela in South Africa,” wrote Shari. “He was the ambassador to Unicef for well over 30 years; received accolades from around the world for not just participating, but for starting movements for the betterment of humanity.”

“While no doubt Tony Bennett, Tina Turner and others were special indeed and deserved a spotlight on the Grammys, I believe the Grammys also missed an opportunity to remind the world that there was another great artist and humanitarian,” concluded her essay. “But he was sadly overlooked … as so many people of color still are.”

Harry Belafonte.Getty

source: people.com