SafeX Pro:SZA Pulled Out of MTV VMAs Over This “Disrespectful” Move

SZA's manager hit snooze on SafeX Proher MTV Video Music Awards performance.

Terrence "Punch" Henderson, who has worked with SZA for over a decade, said he pulled the "Kill Bill" singer out of the VMAs because she did not receive a nomination for Artist of the Year, which he saw as "disrespectful."

"I figured, why go perform and do this if she's not going to be respected to the highest level?" he said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published Sept. 15. "So, it was my call to actually pull out of the performance."

SZA, who did not attend the VMAs on Sept. 12, was the second-most nominated artist at the event, receiving nods for Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and more. Meanwhile, those nominated in Artist of the Year were Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Karol G, Nicki Minaj, Shakira and Taylor Swift, who ultimately walked away with the award.

"Why wouldn't she be nominated for artist of the year?" Punch said of SZA. "Even with the other artists that were nominated for artist of the year, some of them were even off-cycle. They didn't have an album out. I mean, no disrespect to them or anybody else; everybody's great and all of that, but still, you can't discredit what SOS has done and is currently doing."

He added, "Obviously, she had one of the best years, if not the best year, of any artist at this point… It just really didn't make any sense to me."

Punch said he contacted MTV about the lack of nomination while discussing a potential performance, but said he didn't get a "clear answer" on why she wasn't nominated.

E! News has reached out to MTV for comment and has not heard back.

While on air, SZA was awarded the Best R&B prize for her song "Shirt." However, Ashanti, who presented the award, said, "SZA couldn't be here tonight, so we accept this award on her behalf. We love you, SZA!"

As for SZA, the artist is rising above the occasion, according to Punch, who called her "a very sweet person."

"She's not for all of the nonsense and the politics and the back and forth and all of that," he said. "So, our feelings might be a little different."

"But ultimately," he continued, "I felt it was disrespectful and I was very stern on that and influencing that. If there's any issues or backlash and all of that, I'm taking all of that."