grammys 2017

The Grammys’ George Michael Tribute Nearly Featured the Holy Trinity of Adele, Beyoncé, and Rihanna

If only. Photo: Mark Ralston/Steve Granitz/Joe Scarnici/AFP/Getty Images

Today in crushed dreams, Billboard reports that Adele’s Grammys tribute to George Michael wasn’t supposed to be a solo affair. In fact, producers and Michael’s manager had massive show-stopping plans for Adele, Beyoncé, and Rihanna to all sing as a trifecta, with host James Corden also involved in honoring his late friend’s legacy. According to Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich, what was meant to be a medley of songs (potentially “Fastlove,†“Freedom,†and “One More Tryâ€) turned into just the one by Adele when her “passion†and “vision†to sing alone became clear. That, and Adele says George Michael’s family disapproved of a tribute unless it was just her — the only believable explanation why Adele would ever nix a collaboration with the “artist of her life,†Beyoncé. But perhaps it was fate: Bey restarts for no one.

Adele, Beyoncé, Rihanna Almost Sang George Michael Tribute