NATALIE COLE SAYS WINEHOUSE WIN 'SENDS BAD MESSAGE'

 

 

 

 NATALIE COLE SAYS WINEHOUSE WIN 'SENDS BAD  MESSAGE': Singer believes Grammy only rewards her "bad behavior.'

 

Natalie Cole can't understand how the Recording Academy can award a leading five Grammys to Amy Winehouse when the troubled singer has spent years abusing drugs and alcohol and only recently entered rehab to address her addiction.

      "I don't think she should have won," Cole told People magazine at Sunday's Warner Music Group post-Grammy party. "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."

      "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," Cole continued. "She needs to get herself together."

      Cole, who has had her share of substance abuse battles in the past, said she fears Winehouse may carry on her destructive ways if the industry continues to look past it and reward her talent.

      "I mean, she could die. This isn't something that's cute and fun just to throw around in the press," said Cole. "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 get to just do your drugs and go onstage and get rewarded."

Check out Wino's startled reaction to winning the Grammy:

 

As for whom Cole would have rather seen grab the Grammy statue, the singer replied, "Rihanna, even Beyonce. I just feel like they're ready to go the long haul. You can tell how hard they work, they're great people, their heart is in the right place. These are the people we should be praising, these are the people we should be encouraging."

      She added, "And the others, we need to help them."