Music’s biggest night: The Grammys. On Sunday, February 1, Trevor Noah hosted for the last time after six years. This year’s event was filled with outgoing outfit choices, showstopping performances and voices that made waves across the country. Some artists went home celebrating, while many left unexpectedly empty handed. Through the highs and the lows, the night was filled with memorable moments.
Walking down the red carpet, many celebrities were spotted in custom pieces made by high end designers. Sabrina Carpenter wore a sparkling silver gown created by Valentino. Other artists, specifically Chappell Roan, wore daring looks for such an event, sparking controversy for partial nudity while walking the carpet.
Once inside the theater, the night truly began. Trevor Noah opened with many jokes, many of which mentioned President Trump and current world events. Though an award show, the Grammys now tend to feature many musical performances. The live event opened with a showstopping performance of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” Other performances featured an exciting Best New Artist medley with all nominees, along with a production by Tyler, The Creator. Justin Bieber was also featured, singing in just underwear and socks with a guitar.
When the awards were announced, it was time for artists to truly shine. Kendrick Lamar received five wins for the night, making him the rap artist with the most Grammy wins (27), surpassing Jay-Z. Bad Bunny received the highly anticipated Album of the Year Grammy, for which he seemed extremely emotional to receive it. Best New Artist went to Olivia Dean, whose popularity truly took off this past year with many songs trending on social media apps and the radio. A surprise win went to Lola Young for her song “Messy,” and Billie Eilish won for “Wildflower” after many believe she was snubbed from the awards last year.
The true stand out of the night, however, was the anti-ICE statements throughout the night. From Bad Bunny to Billie Eilish, and Kehlani. Almost every artist that went to accept an award spoke on the state of our country and the controversial actions by ICE. Even Olivia Dean spoke about being an immigrant. Though not everyone could get on the big stage, many wore ICE Out pins throughout the night to show their support for the cause.
Now, the Grammys will leave CBS and move to ABC for 2027. The 68th Annual Grammys are complete, and many moments cemented themselves in the show’s history. Music’s biggest night comes to a close in a fittingly-dramatic way, as artists use their voices not just for their hit songs, but to also stand firm on their political opinions.