Family members of the late singer Natalie Cole were not shy about expressing how unhappy they were with the tribute given to their sister at yesterday's Grammy Awards.

Cole was remembered during the In Memoriam segment with a video presentation -- a decision which previously led some fans to note that the Grammys were treating tributes to white artists in a different (and presumably more suitable) manner that the tributes to black artists .

"Sadly a FORGETTABLE tribute to Natalie Cole," Cole's sisters, Timolin and Casey, told ET following the GRAMMY telecast .

"Words cannot express the outrage and utter disappointment at the disrespectful tribute, or lack thereof, to a legendary artist such as our sister."

Cole's son also had this to say:

"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 Robert Adam Yancy told ET on Monday night.

"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."

Related: Natalie Cole's Atlanta uncle Freddy Cole mourns another loss

Celebrities including Holly Robinson Peete and Lee Daniels expressed their disappointment on Twitter, as did many fans of Cole.

Other artists, including Glenn Frey of the Eagles, David Bowie and B.B. King were honored with musical tributes during the show .

Cole, daughter of singer Nat King Cole, died on Dec. 31.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Blooper celebrates the Atlanta Brave’s 5-0 win over the New York Mets during a MLB game Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Truist Park. This year, the venue is a first-time host of the MLB All-Star game. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado for the AJC

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC