Deborah Dugan, the chief executive officer of Bono's (RED) organisation, has been named president and CEO of the Recording Academy, becoming the first woman appointed to lead the organisation.
The academy announced on Wednesday that Dugan will succeed Neil Portnow, who has led the Grammys since 2002. He announced he chose not to seek an extension on his contract, which ends this year.
Before joining (RED), the Aids organisation that launched in 2006, Dugan was president of Disney Publishing Worldwide and executive vice president at EMI/Capitol Records. She started her career as an attorney on New York's Wall Street. Dugan will formally start the new job August 1.
"I'm honoured, humbled, and ready," Dugan said in a statement. "The goal of the Recording Academy is to support, encourage and advocate for those within the music community. I will listen to and champion all of those individuals, and lead this iconic organisation into the future. I'm excited to get started."
Before Dugan, music executive Christine Farnon held the top position at the academy for years, though she never had the title of president and CEO. She held multiple positions at the Grammys throughout her tenure, retiring in 1992 as executive vice president.
Michael Greene became the first official president and CEO of the academy in 1988, leading the organisation until 2002 when Portnow took over.
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Dua Lipa looks absolutely stunning in diamond-chic Atelier Versace. Photo: AP -
Kacey Musgraves in Valentino Spring 2018 Haute Couture. Photo: AFP -
Janelle Monae in this year's Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture. Photo: AFP -
Katy Perry looks like a chic toilet roll holder - and we don't mean that as an insult, it's more just a comment on the structure - in Balmain Haute Coutur. Photo: AP -
Cardi B wins 'statement dress of the night' in vintage Mugler Haute Couture. This design first walked down the runway in 1998. Photo: AP -
Kylie Jenner's Balmain Haute Couture look is definitely a talking point - the sleeve melting into glove pushes it over the edge for us (in a bad way). Photo: AP -
Tracee Ellis Ross is one of our faves in a gorgeous Ralph & Russo Couture suit. Photo: AP -
We're not sure on the hat, but Jennifer Lopez can basically wear whatever she wants: she's in Ralph & Russo Couture. -
Alicia Keys in timeless red Giorgio Armani. Photo: EPA -
Nina Dobrev in Christian Dior. Photo: AFP -
Andra Day in Cheng Huai Chuang. Photo: AFP -
Lady Gaga in disco ball Celine. Yes, 'new' Celine. Photo: AFP -
Camila Cabello in high-necked Armani Prive (how very Jane Fonda of her). Photo: Reuters -
Miley Cyrus in Mugler. Photo: AFP -
Ashlee Simpson in Georges Chakra Couture. Photo: AP -
Jameela Jamil wore J Mendel, as well as $10 Etsy earrings according to her Instagram. Photo: AP -
Jada Pinkett Smith wore a vintage dress, from her own personal collection for music's biggest red carpet of the year. Photo: AP -
Bebe Rexha in a big, bold red gown by Bahraini designer Monsoori. Photo: AP -
Ashlee Simpson in Georges Chakra Couture. Photo: EPA -
Anna Kendrick in fluffy Ralph & Russo. Photo: EPA -
Heidi Klum in Stephane Rolland Haute Couture. Photo: AP -
The legendary Dolly Parton stuck to her personal style, with a dress that's most likely custom made for her. Photo: AP -
Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance on stage, skipping the red carpet, wearing a wide leg pant suit by New York-based Indian designers Sachin & Babi. Photo: AFP -
St. Vincent's dress is all about the mullet hemline. Photo: AP
Scroll through the best red carpet pictures from the 2019 Grammys above.
Dugan's hire comes after Portnow was criticised at the 2018 Grammys when he said women need to "step up" when asked about the lack of female winners in a backstage interview.
Only two female performers won awards during the live telecast and the Grammys were criticised for not letting pop singer Lorde, the only women nominated for album of the year, perform at the show.
Portnow called his comments a "poor choice of words" and later announced that he would leave his post this year. An online petition posted by singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton calling for his resignation surpassed its goal of 10,000 signatures; more than 30,000 people had signed the document.
Three months after the debacle, Portnow said he would not to seek an extension on his contract.
This year's Grammy Awards included more female nominees in the top categories, and country singer Kacey Musgraves won album of the year while British singer Dua Lipa was named best new artist.
