Celebrities Who Turned Down Major Awards

1.

In 2022, Dolly Parton warmly declined her nomination for inclusion within the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame.

In a tweeted statement, Parton wrote, “Dolly right here! Regardless that I’m extraordinarily flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame, I do not really feel that I’ve earned that proper. I actually don’t want votes to be cut up due to me, so I have to respectfully bow out.”

She continued, “I do hope that the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame will perceive and be prepared to contemplate me once more — if I am ever worthy. This has, nonetheless, impressed me to place out a hopefully nice rock ‘n’ roll album sooner or later sooner or later, which I’ve all the time wished to do! My husband is a complete rock ‘n’ roll freak, and has all the time inspired me to do one. I want the entire nominees good luck, and thanks once more for the praise. Rock on!”

Just a few days later, the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame tweeted out a statement of their very own. Whereas noting that Parton’s “humility” is a part of what makes her a “beloved icon,” and that they’re “in awe of Dolly’s sensible expertise and pioneering spirit,” they primarily — and equally as warmly — confirmed that she would stay a nominee.

The powers-that-be on the Corridor of Fame wrote, “From its inception, Rock & Roll has had deep roots in Rhythm & Blues and Nation music. It’s not outlined by anyone style, slightly a sound that strikes youth tradition. Dolly Parton’s music impacted a technology of younger followers and influenced numerous artists that adopted. … Dolly’s nomination, together with the opposite 16 for the category of 2022 was despatched out earlier this month to our 1,200 normal poll voters, nearly all of whom are artists themselves, for consideration for induction at our ceremony.”

2.

Dolly Parton apparently has a little bit of a historical past within the “thanks, however no thanks” division, since she turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Two occasions.

In an 2021 interview on In the present day, Parton stated that the Trump administration tried to offer her the award on two completely different events. She defined, “I could not settle for it as a result of my husband was sick. Then, they requested me once more about it, and I would not journey due to COVID. So, now I really feel like if I take it, I will be doing politics, so I am unsure.”

She went on, “I do not work for these awards. It might be good, however I am unsure that I even deserve it. But it surely’s a pleasant praise for individuals to suppose I would deserve it.”

3.

David Bowie turned down honors from Queen Elizabeth II not as soon as, however twice.

In accordance with the BBC, he first stated “nope” to a CBE in 2000. “CBE” is brief for “Commander of the Order of the British Empire,” and is the “highest rating” honor of this type, adopted by OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

And in 2003, the Queen sweetened the deal by providing Bowie a knighthood. On the time, he informed the Solar, “I’d by no means have any intention of accepting something like that. I critically do not know what it is for. It is not what I spent my life working for. It is not my place to make a judgment on Jagger; it is his choice. But it surely’s simply not for me.”

Bowie declined to say whether or not he was “anti-monarchy,” noting that he may solely supply a “critical reply” to that query if he lived in Nice Britain and never in the US.

4.

John Lennon, together with the opposite members of the Beatles, accepted an MBE in 1965…and he gave it proper again in 1969.

In accordance with the Guardian, Lennon despatched three letters to the Queen, Prime Minister, and Central Chancery, explaining that he wished to return the glory “in protest in opposition to Britain’s involvement within the Nigeria-Biafra factor, in opposition to our help of America in Vietnam, and in opposition to ‘Chilly Turkey’ slipping down the charts.”

He signed the letters, “With love, John Lennon.” On Lennon’s web site, the entry concerning the track “Chilly Turkey” consists of his reflection on the MBE. In accordance with Lennon, “Taking the MBE was a sell-out for me. You already know, earlier than you get an MBE, the Palace writes to you to ask should you’re going to simply accept it, since you’re not imagined to reject it publicly, and so they sound you out first. I chucked the letter in with all of the fan-mail, till Brian [Epstein, the Beatles’ manager] requested me if I had it. He and some different individuals persuaded me that it was in our pursuits to take it, and it was hypocritical of me to simply accept it.”

He went on, “However I’m glad, actually, that I did settle for it, as a result of it meant that 4 years later I may use it to make a gesture. We did handle to refuse all kinds of issues that folks don’t find out about.” Amongst these alternatives was returning to play the Royal Selection Present, which Lennon referred to as a “dangerous gig.”

After Lennon returned the MBE, Cyril Hearn, a former policeman who had returned his personal honor in 1965 in protest of the Beatles’ inclusion, requested for it again. Mentioned Hearn, “John Lennon has made his level. I feel it’s a very brave factor to do, and the steadiness is redressed.” He referred to as awarding the Beatles an MBE within the first place a “prostitution of the Order.”

In accordance with what Beatles’ spokesperson Sir Derek Taylor stated on the time, the opposite members of the band did not find out about Lennon’s choice to return the award prematurely, and had been “not meaning to return theirs as effectively.”

5.

When she was nominated for 4 Grammy Awards in 1991, Sinéad O’Connor preemptively refused to simply accept any that she would possibly obtain.

In accordance with the L.A. Instances, O’Connor wrote a letter to the Nationwide Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences that learn partially, “As artists I imagine our perform is to specific the emotions of the human race — to all the time converse the reality and by no means maintain it hidden though we’re working in a world which doesn’t just like the sound of the reality. I imagine that our objective is to encourage and, not directly, information and heal the human race, of which we’re all equal members.”

O’Connor argued that the bigger music trade possesses “false and damaging materialistic values,” “acknowledge[s] largely the industrial facet of artwork,” and “respect[s] largely materials acquire, since that’s the predominant motive for his or her existence.” She wrote, “And so they have created an awesome respect amongst artists for materials acquire — by honoring us and exalting us once we obtain it, ignoring for essentially the most half these of us who haven’t.” In an interview, O’Connor clarified, “I’m not criticizing the Grammys specifically. I’m criticizing the music trade.”

Regardless of her boycott, O’Connor nonetheless gained Greatest Different Music Efficiency for I Do Not Need What I Have not Bought, and is listed because the winner on the official Grammys web site.

6.

When Marlon Brando gained the Greatest Actor Oscar for his position in The Godfather in 1973, he famously despatched a Native American lady named Sacheen Littlefeather to show down the award in his place.

In accordance with Historical past, Littlefeather stated that Brando determined to not settle for the “very beneficiant award” due to the “therapy of American Indians as we speak by the movie trade.” Littlefeather was booed throughout her speech.

In a 2021 interview with the Guardian, Littlefeather stated, “It was not a efficiency; it was an actual presentation. I feel that’s what took individuals unexpectedly: that it was so actual. It actually touches individuals’s hearts to this present day.” Apparently, she bought to the ceremony only some minutes earlier than Brando’s win was introduced.

She went on, “I didn’t use my fist. I didn’t use swear phrases. I didn’t increase my voice. However I prayed that my ancestors would assist me. I went up there like a warrior lady. I went up there with the grace and the wonder and the braveness and the humility of my individuals. I spoke from my coronary heart.”

7.

Just a few years earlier, the Oscars skilled one other snub when George C. Scott, who had lengthy since promised to by no means settle for an Academy Award, made good on that vow when he gained in 1971 for his efficiency in Patton.

Scott “disagreed, on precept, with a contest that pitted actors in opposition to one another,” in accordance with Historical past. The presenter, Goldie Hawn, stated “oh my god” when she opened the envelope.

The actor described the ceremony as “a two-hour meat parade, a public show with contrived suspense for financial causes.” Sarcastically, in accordance with movie research educational Dennis Bingham, Scott’s refusal of the award might have unintentionally made the general public respect it extra.

Bingham defined, “They took the Oscar to George C. Scott as a chance to say, ‘Nicely, nobody buys these awards, generally individuals don’t even need them; we’ll give it to George C. Scott as a result of we simply merely thought he was one of the best.’ And so it really did one thing to re-legitimize the award within the public’s eyes.”

8.

In 1996, Nick Cave turned down the MTV Video Music Award in as poetic a vogue potential after they nominated him for Greatest Male Artist.

Cave thanked MTV for its consideration, however requested that his nomination be withdrawn, and that each one potential future nominations and awards as an alternative go to artists who’re “extra comfy with the aggressive nature of those awards ceremonies.”

Kylie Minogue, who sang with Cave on “The place the Wild Roses Develop,” learn the letter he wrote to MTV for Letters of Be aware. Cave wrote partially, “I’ve all the time been of the opinion that my music is exclusive and particular person and exists past the realms inhabited by those that would scale back issues to mere measuring. I’m in competitors with nobody. My relationship with my muse is a fragile one at one of the best of occasions, and I really feel that it’s my obligation to guard her from influences which will offend her fragile nature. She involves me with the present of track, and in return, I deal with her with the respect I really feel she deserves — on this case, this implies not subjecting her to the indignities of judgement and competitors.”

He went on, “My muse will not be a horse, and I’m in no horse race, and if certainly she was, nonetheless I’d not harness her to this tumbrel — this bloody cart of severed heads and glittering prizes. My muse might spook! Could bolt! Could abandon me utterly!” He concluded the letter by writing, “Once more I say thanks, however no…no thanks.”

9.

Julie Andrews stated “nope” to a 1996 Tony nomination for her starring efficiency in Victor/Victoria to protest the snubbing of the remainder of the present’s inventive crew, which in accordance with Playbill “made headlines world wide.”

Throughout a curtain name, Andrews stated, “I’ve searched my conscience and my coronary heart and discover that I can’t settle for this nomination, and like as an alternative to face with the egregiously ignored.” Andrews’ husband, Blake Edwards, was the director and librettist of the present.

Andrews was nonetheless included on the poll for Greatest Actress in a Musical, and is listed as a nominee on the Tony Awards web site. Donna Murphy finally gained for her efficiency in The King and I.

10.

In December 2021, Drake determined to withdraw each of his 2022 Grammy nominations.

His album Licensed Lover Boy was up for Greatest Rap Album, and he was nominated for Greatest Rap Efficiency for “Manner 2 Attractive.”

Whereas Drake hasn’t but defined his motivation for declining the nominations, in accordance with Selection, he has had a “lengthy and at occasions contentious relationship with the Grammys.” Following The Weeknd’s snub in 2020, he wrote in an announcement posted to Instagram, “I feel we must always cease permitting ourselves to be shocked yearly by the disconnect between impactful music and these awards, and simply settle for that what as soon as was the very best type of recognition might now not matter to the artists that exist now and those that come after. It’s like a relative you retain anticipating to repair up, however they only can’t change their methods.”

11.

And eventually: In Could 2021, Tom Cruise returned all three of the Golden Globes he’d been awarded all through his profession in an act of protest in opposition to the Hollywood Overseas Press Affiliation.

In accordance with Leisure Weekly, Cruise’s choice to return the Globes got here amongst renewed criticism of the HFPA’s “utter lack of variety” amongst its membership. On the identical time, NBC determined to not air the 2022 ceremony, explaining in an announcement that the HFPA wanted extra time to enact “significant reform.”

Cruise gained Golden Globes for his performances in Born on the Fourth of July (1989), Jerry Maguire (1996), and Magnolia (1999).