Amy Winehouse Granted U.S. Visa

Controversial singer Amy Winehouse finally has official approval to come to the United States of America. The American government reversed its earlier inclination of not granting Winehouse a visa, ending speculation about whether she would be able to make it to the 50th Grammy Awards Sunday, where she is scheduled to perform live.

The American government had, until Thursday, refused to grant Winehouse a visa to enter the country, despite wrangling between officials of the U.S. and the U.K. The American government had rejected her visa application on a statute related to narcotics abuse.

Winehouse had appealed against the rejection immediately, and finally got the clearance to visit the United States. What this effectively means is the artist can now perform at the Grammys this Sunday, where she and her album have received six nominations in all. However, she still has not abandoned plans to perform from the U.K. via satellite.

At least, that is what a statement released by her representatives seems to indicate. The statement read, “Unfortunately, due to the logistics involved and timing complications, Amy will not be traveling to the U.S. to perform at the Grammys in person.”

In the statement, Amy thanked all involved, especially the staff at London’s U.S. Embassy for their efforts. The statement further said, “She is looking forward to being a part of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards with her Sunday night performance and to going back to the U.S. soon.”

Winehouse has had a number of not-so-impressive live performances in recent times. Add to that her scraps with the law, and there has been general concern about her physical and emotional well-being, all of which culminated in her decision to go into rehab at the Capio Nightingale clinic on January 24.

According to Winehouse’s representatives, the singer was scheduled to leave the clinic Friday so she could get ready for her Grammy performance.