Amy Winehouse gears up to perform at the Grammy Awards

Amy Winehouse is gearing up to give the performance of her career at the Grammy Awards tonight - but she won't be attending the event - she'll be playing live from a London recording studio via satellite.

The 'Rehab' singer, 24, is performing from London - instead of attending the event in Los Angeles, because of complications in getting her U.S. visa - she simply didn't have time to arrange getting there.

"Following further discussions involving the US Embassy in London and Officials in the United States, Amy Winehouse has been granted a visa to enter the United States of America," the singer's rep said in a statement issued last week.

"Unfortunately, due to the logistics involved and timing complications, Amy will not be traveling to the US to perform at the Grammys in person."

Amy hasn't taken the decision not to attend the prestigous ceremony lightly. "She is very sad not to be attending the Grammys in person but wishes to express her heartfelt gratitude to all of those involved in the process," the rep added.

"She is looking forward to being a part of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards with her Sunday night performance and to going back to the US soon."

The singer - known for the lyrics "They’re tryin' to make me go to rehab I said no, no, no" - has taken a break from a private rehab clinic, which she checked into earlier this month - to make the appearance tonight.

Rehab is clearly working wonders for Amy - the singer finally has the get-up-and-go to sort out her teeth - making a second visit to a London dentist yesterday, emerging flashing a bright white smile to onlookers - a far-cry from December when she was spotted with gaps in her mouth suggesting her teeth had fallen out.

A friend close to her admitted at the time: "She has one missing from the front of her mouth, and another one at the back which is less visible.

"Her mouth is full of holes and she is desperately worried she is going to lose more. She has actually pulled a tooth out herself, which is absolutely disgusting."

"Her gums are always red and sore as a result of it and some of the teeth are loosening."

Amy's dad, Mitch, 57, was fairly complacent about having his daughter attend tonight's Grammys - because he feared the pressure would send his troubled daughter straight back to drugs.

He said last month: "I'm not sure the Grammys are going to happen. I don't want her to go - I think it might be a bit too soon for her.

"She's not well - that's why she's in rehab. But she's doing OK. She is getting good treatment."

By Owen Williams, Feb 10 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy