Normani withdraws from BET Awards appearance due to ‘bad accident’

Normani will not perform at the BET Awards on Sunday. Shortly before the ceremony began, the singer posted in her Instagram story that she had sustained an unspecified injury during rehearsals.

“I’m more frustrated and disappointed than anyone, believe me. I wanted to come in here and give you guys an update that I had a really bad accident during rehearsals for BET and injured myself,” she wrote. “I’m usually good at persevering under any circumstances, but unfortunately, due to my doctor’s orders, I’m unable to make this performance.”

Normani, who released Dopaminespoke earlier this month with Rolling Stone before releasing her long-awaited debut album. In the interview, she talked about some of the issues that prevented her from releasing music regularly after her time in Fifth Harmony, including heartbreak, both her parents’ cancer treatments, and outside criticism. But she persevered and talked about the process of making the album.

“I naturally gravitate towards darker sounding stuff from a sonics perspective, something that feels like it has bite, grit and edge. I always like to be left of center,” she said. “At some point I was like, ‘Listen, not everything can sound dark. We want to bring everyone in. We need to bring some color in.’ I love Missy Elliott and Timbaland productions so much. I like unique things that haven’t necessarily really been heard before, and that’s why producing is my favorite part of the process. I’m honestly already thinking about what the show is going to be. I’m excited to perform ‘Lights On.’ That’s my Janet moment.”

In her Instagram post on Sunday, she said she was “devastated” to not be able to perform, but it would delay her healing and she was focused on her recovery.

“I wanted nothing more than to perform for you and return to what I enjoy most – BEING ON STAGE.. Thank you for your understanding,” she added, also thanking BET “for giving me and all the other amazing black women this opportunity. This is definitely NOT how I imagined this weekend would go, but trust me, I will be rooting for everyone from home tonight.”

The BET Awards will feature Will Smith, Ice Spice, GloRilla, Ms. Lauryn Hill and YG Marley, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Tyla and Victoria Monét. Megan Thee Stallion opened the show.