Grammy Awards 2026 Delivers Memorable Moments and Political Statements
The 68th Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, provided a night of entertainment that blended musical excellence with subtle political commentary. Hosted for the sixth and final time by Trevor Noah, the ceremony saw Canadian superstar Justin Bieber deliver one of the most talked-about performances of the evening.
Justin Bieber's Vulnerable Performance Captivates Audience
Four-time nominated Canadian artist Justin Bieber, accompanied by wife Hailey Bieber, made a striking appearance on the red carpet wearing basic black attire adorned with "ICE OUT" pins. The fashion statement foreshadowed what would become a recurring theme throughout the evening.
Bieber later took the stage for a vulnerable solo performance of his song Yukon, stripping down to just his shorts and socks while accompanying himself on electric guitar. The raw, emotional delivery prompted host Trevor Noah to remark, "Wow, Justin Bieber, what a captivating performance," in what many considered the understatement of the night.
ICE Protest Pins Become Recurring Theme
The "ICE OUT" pins worn by the Biebers were not an isolated fashion choice. Throughout the evening, numerous artists incorporated similar statements into their appearances and acceptance speeches. Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, upon winning the award for Best Música Urbana Album, declared to applause and cheers, "Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say, ICE out!"
Bad Bunny continued with an impassioned speech addressing immigration issues, stating, "We're not savage. We're not animals. We're not hellions. We are humans and we are Americans. The hate gets more powerful with hate. The only thing more powerful is love."
Trevor Noah's Final Hosting Appearance
In his sixth and final appearance as Grammy host, Trevor Noah delivered his signature blend of humor and social commentary. One particularly memorable moment occurred when Noah joked with Bad Bunny about potential relocation, asking, "If things get worse in America, can I come live with you?" only to be reminded that Puerto Rico is part of the United States.
Noah also addressed notable absences from the ceremony, including rapper Nicki Minaj, quipping, "She's still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues," before imitating the former president's voice with the line, "Actually Nicki, I've got the biggest ass!"
Notable Performances and Fashion Statements
The evening featured several standout performances, including:
- Bruno Mars and Black Pink member Rosé opening the show with the high-energy track APT
- Addison Rae performing Fame is a Gun while riding the back of a moving truck into the underground of Crypto.com Arena
- Alex Warren wandering the halls and aisles singing Ordinary before being lifted by an elevating platform
- British singer Olivia Dean performing Man I Need before winning Best New Artist
Fashion highlights included:
- Sabrina Carpenter's sequined white custom Valentino gown with ruffles, complemented by a saucy airplane pilot outfit during her performance
- British rocker Yungblud's cheetah print-adorned black leather blazer and pants with no shirt underneath
- French DJ/producer Gesaffelstein's intriguing black lacquer face mask and makeup
- American singer-songwriter Sombr's head-to-toe silver sequined custom Valentino suit
Memorable Acceptance Speeches
British singer Olivia Dean delivered one of the evening's most poignant acceptance speeches after winning Best New Artist. She stated, "I guess I want to say I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn't be here. Yeah, I'm a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. So, yeah, we're nothing without each other."
Latin music icon Gloria Estefan offered advice to Bad Bunny, who would perform at the following Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, saying, "Enjoy every second because it really goes by so fast. I mean it's 12 minutes that you're up there. He's going to kill it, I'm sure."
Fashion Misses and Memorable Moments
Not all fashion choices received universal praise. British singer Lola Young appeared in an animal-print green sweatshirt and matching sweatpants, living up to the title of her song Messy, though she later changed into a plaid outfit for her performance. FKA Twigs wore a nude and light brown patchwork dress that some described as giving an "apocalyptic look."
K-Pop artist Audrey Nuna sported a deconstructed Thom Browne cream blazer that literally hung off her shoulders, creating a distinctive if unconventional appearance.
The 68th Grammy Awards successfully blended entertainment with social commentary, creating memorable moments that extended beyond musical performances to address contemporary issues through fashion statements and acceptance speeches.
