EXCLUSIVE: Natalie Cole's Family Still Calls GRAMMYs Tribute 'Glaringly Lackluster' After Producers Defend It
Natalie Cole's loved ones are responding to the GRAMMYs' defense of their tribute to the late singer during Monday night's awards show.
Family membersTimolin and Casey Cole, and Robert Yancy tell ET in a written statement:
"While we acknowledge there was good intention on the part of the Grammys to honor our sister and mother, it did not come through," the statement reads. "We were shocked to see a glaringly lackluster attempt to recognize our sister at the last moment."
EXCLUSIVE: Natalie Cole's Family Outraged Over GRAMMYs' 'Disrespectful' Tribute to Late Singer
"Furthermore, there was NO mention throughout the three and half hour broadcast of her name or her passing WHATSOEVER," they add. "She meant too much, she was too much, and she deserved better. The overwhelming sadness is echoed by her millions of fans all over the world who we have been hearing from. After all perception is reality...it was an oops!"
GRAMMY producer Ken Ehrlichtold Billboard on Wednesday of the "touching and emotional" tribute, "Frankly, I think it was appropriate.
WATCH: Natalie Cole Dead at 65
Cole, who died in December, was featured during the In Memoriam portion of the awards show, but did not receive her own tribute. David Bowie, B.B. King and the Eagles' Glenn Frey were all celebrated with their own musical tributes.
"Sadly a FORGETTABLE tribute to Natalie Cole," Cole's sisters told ET following the GRAMMY telecast on Monday night. "Words cannot express the outrage and utter disappointment at the disrespectful tribute, or lack thereof, to a legendary artist such as our sister."
WATCH: Natalie Cole's Sisters Open Up About Their Final Days With the Late Singer
"Here is a woman who has been in the business for four decades, had 21 GRAMMY nominations and won nine GRAMMYs. She deserves more than (to be a part of) a minute-and-a-half tribute," Cole's son added. "It was shameless the way they minimized her legacy. We will find solace in her legacy as well as her endless fans around the world."
Watch the video below.