Sorry, RiRi Fans, But She's Not Performing

Going into the 2016 Grammys, the question was not whether or not Rihanna would manage to surprise us but instead what exactly Rihanna would do to surprise us. You can't say something like "Rihanna is performing at the 2016 Grammys" without expecting everyone in the audience to automatically prepare to get their mind blown. However, it turned out the surprise that Rihanna had planned for the night was that she had no surprise planned for the night: Rihanna has cancelled her 2016 Grammys performance, according to TMZ. You may start crying now.

As TMZ reported, the singer "has been struggling with bronchitis and is on meds. We're told a doctor on site recommended that she pull the plug on the performance because it could permanently damage her vocal cords." The article also notes that the singer was planning to perform "Kiss It Better" on the Grammys stage prior to leaving the Staples Center, so I guess TIDAL users are just going to have to put that song on repeat during commercial breaks and pretend they're watching Rihanna sing it live.

This is a huge disappointment because, with a brand new album, ANTI, under her belt, and a career that continues to soar to new heights, Rihanna is a pop star that you cannot ignore. You might love her balls-to-the-wall attitude, or hate her commitment to being no one's role model, but you can't deny that Rihanna inspires some strong opinions. Fans can't seem to decide whether they're angry at Rihanna for focusing on her health, crying over Rihanna's lost performance, or just wishing they choose someone good to replace her during the ceremony. The only thing that's for sure is that fans are talking, which is all any pop star can hope for, really.