Here’s why Rihanna had to cancel her Grammys performance so last-minute

Last night’s Grammys had a lot going on: Justin Bieber going acoustic, Lady Gaga’s heart-shattering tribute to David Bowie, and an amazing and political performance from Kendrick Lamar. But one singer who was set to performer was conspicuously missing: Rihanna.

According to her rep, a doctor told the Barbadian singer—who was scheduled to perform standout track “Kiss It Better” from her new album, Anti—that if she performed she might hemorrhage her vocal cords. A medical issue of that caliber would have put Rihanna out of commission just 10 days before she’s scheduled to kick off her world tour.

“Based on Rihanna’s examination, after Grammy rehearsal today, Rihanna’s doctor put her on vocal rest for 48 hours because she was at risk of hemorrhaging her vocal chords,” a rep told People. “The antibiotics she has been on for three days did not kill the infection adequately; therefore, she cannot perform safely.”

Luckily, CBS and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences were understanding with Academy president Neil Portnow citing a handful of other incidences where musicians have had to pull out or risk losing their voice.

“Now, we’ve seen this with other artists,” Portnow told reporters. “How many other – whether, it’s John Mayer who had the problem, Adele had the problem – this happens with singers – so if you’re a singer and you have this problem and a doctor says, ‘don’t,’ if you’re smart then you don’t, so we regret that.”

Meanwhile, Rihanna tweeted her regrets to fans who had been eager to see her perform at music’s biggest night:

No worries, RiRi. Get better soon!