Sam Smith looks red hot with their entourage
Sam Smith served an unholy look in a bright red puffy gown with fellow nominee Kim Petras and RuPaul's Drag Race alums Violet Chachki and Gottmik.
Smith and Petras are nominated for best pop duo/group performance for their collaboration, "Unholy."
Smith performed the hit with Petras last month on "SNL."
Take a chance on ABBA
If you are an ABBA stan like me, you know that the beloved Swedish pop group recently reunited after 40 years to make a new album called “Voyage,” which is nominated in several categories.
But despite having made people dance and jive for decades, up until this year, the group had never been nominated for the coveted music accolade. (Even though it was inducted into the Recording Academy’s Hall of Fame in 2015.)
Following the “Voyage” album’s November 2021 release, the group — made up of Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus — didn’t actually tour. It instead performed digitally as avatars, aka “ABBA-tars,” with a live 10-piece band. (Yes, really.) The concert kicked off May 27 at a new arena called ABBA Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Maybe this year will finally be the year ABBA wins a Grammy. Regardless, I’m keeping my fingers crossed we’ll see the actual dancing queens (and kings) at the awards show and not their “ABBA-tars.”
No sign of them yet...
Manifesting a Lizzo-Harry Styles duet
As if it’s not exciting enough for two iconic besties to be nominated for the same Grammy, Lizzo and Harry Styles share nominations in five categories this year. Oh, and they’ll both be taking the stage as performers.
Their adorable friendship has been living rent-free in fans’ heads since 2019, when Styles first snagged Lizzo’s attention by covering her hit song “Juice” and expressing his admiration for her on a BBC Radio 1 show.
The pair reunited in October when both their tours made stops in Chicago. Over the last few years, they’ve gifted us a few onstage collabs — including a joint performance at Coachella — and I’m obsessed with the way they often gush over each other’s talents and successes.
It’s Harry’s House, and we’re here for it
Harry Styles has made his way to the carpet and he's shining (literally) in a sparkly, multicolored jumpsuit.
The “As It Was” singer recently took Los Angeles by storm with a 15-night residency at the Forum. Tonight, Crypto.com Arena will become Harry’s House, too.
Styles is nominated for six Grammys, including album and record of the year. A One Direction alum, Styles cemented his legacy as a solo performer after he won the Grammy for best pop solo performance for the hit single “Watermelon Sugar” in 2021.
Styles also revealed he is already working on his next album, so Harry’s House may be on its way to becoming an empire.
We can’t wait to see him perform tonight.
Is Taylor Swift's red carpet look an easter egg?
Taylor Swift hit the red carpet for the first time this year and Swifties are, naturally, deciphering her outfit for clues.
Her tenth album, "Midnights," may not be eligible for this year's Grammys, but her glittering two-piece sure looks a lot like the night sky. "Red (Taylor's Version)" is up for consideration by the Recording Academy this evening and Taylor's "red-lip classic" never disappoints.
The industry titan already picked up her 12th Grammy for best music video during the pre-ceremony for “All Too Well: The Short Film" and is also nominated in three other categories, including song of the year.
Shania Twain dazzles red carpet with a 'Cruella de Vil' look
Shania Twain, who is presenting tonight, arrived on the red carpet with an unforgettable look: a black and white polka dot outfit with bright red hair.
With a tall hat, diamonds all over and completing the look with a bold red lip, it's an outfit that we will all remember "forever and for always," as she sings in her 2002 hit. The look is from Harris Reed’s spring 2023 collection.
ICYMI: FLOTUS is headed to the Grammys
The Grammys is getting the presidential treatment, with first lady Jill Biden announced as one of tonight's presenters.
She’s not the first lady to grace the stage: Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the 2019 Grammys, referring to Motown Records and Beyoncé in introductory remarks, emphasizing her deep appreciation for music.
Let's see whom Biden is rooting for tonight.
All eyes on the red carpet
The Grammys Premiere Ceremony has wrapped, so all eyes will be on the carpet as the celebrities continue to trickle in and pose for the cameras before they head into Crypto.com Arena.
Will TikTok success translate to Grammy gold tonight?
Over the past couple of years, TikTok has proved itself as a powerful marketing tool for artists. Its impact has only solidified as a number of TikTok hits were nominated for Grammys this year.
Breakout artists Wet Leg, Steve Lacy and Muni Long have already won awards for best alternative music album and best alternative music performance, best progressive R&B album and best R&B performance, respectively, during the Premiere Ceremony.
Songs like Lizzo's "About Damn Time," Harry Styles' "As It Was" and Steve Lacy's "Bad Habit" have soundtracked millions of TikTok videos. All three songs are in the running for record of the year and song of the year.
GAYLE's megaviral track "abcdefu" also snagged a song of the year nod. The nomination was divisive, to say the least, as many viewed the song as an example of cookie-cutter, viral-bait "TikTok music."
TikTok itself is nominated alongside Rosalía for the Motomami TikTok Live performance, which was nominated for best music film.
Swifties rise up
Taylor Swift won best music video for "All Too Well: The Short Film," making it her 12th Grammy win.
The 10-minute film starred Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink. Co-producer Saul Germaine accepted the award on Swift's behalf.
ICYMI: Beyoncé and Lizzo both removed an ableist slur from their songs
This last summer, Beyoncé and Lizzo both faced criticism for featuring a word “spaz” which many people in the disabled community say is a “ableist slur.” Lizzo took to twitter in a post saying “Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language.”
Just weeks after Lizzo changed her lyrics in her song “Grrrls” after receiving backlash, Bey made the same mistake on her album “Renaissance.” A representative for Beyoncé said in a statement that “the word, not used intentionally in a harmful way, will be replaced.”
Swifties won't want to talk about Bruno after Sunday
"We Don’t Talk About Bruno" from the Disney movie "Encanto" won best song written For visual media, beating Taylor Swift and others in the category.
This marked the third win for "Encanto" tonight, solidifying the film as a timeless animated favorite.
Dave Chappelle wins for controversial 'The Closer' special
Dave Chappelle won this year's award for best comedy album for "The Closer."
Following its release, "The Closer" drew accusations of transphobia and plunged the world’s mightiest streaming service into a public relations crisis that dragged on for weeks, culminating in an employee walkout.The comedian’s jokes were criticized as being offensive to the LGBTQ community.
Chappelle was not at the Grammys Premiere Ceremony to accept the award in-person.
And the award for Best Red Carpet Host goes to ... Laverne Cox!
From the Golden Globes to the Grammys, Laverne Cox would definitely win if there was a category for Best Red Carpet Host of the year.
She crushes her interviews with fellow stars, all while looking fabulous.
Chris Brown reacts to loss in series of Instagram posts
Looks like Chris Brown isn’t one to take rejection gracefully. After losing to pianist Robert Glasper for best R&B album, Brown has been posting non-stop to his Instagram story.
“YALL PLAYING 😂😂😂😂😂,” he typed over a screenshot of a Google search page for Glasper, later saying in his story he has no idea who Glasper is.
Many on social media took notice of Brown's Instagram story posts, sharing screenshots on Twitter. Some called it a "bad look." Others pointed out that Glasper had won four Grammys prior to Sunday's win (which marked his fifth).
Brandi Carlile jumps for joy with third Grammy win of the night
Brandi Carlile just ran (and skipped) from the carpet back to the room where it happens to receive her third Grammy for the night for best Americana album for "In These Silent Days."
Taylor Swift gives Viola Davis social media love
Taylor Swift tweeted a shoutout to Viola Davis for taking home a Grammy and securing an EGOT on Sunday.
"EGOT BABYYYYYYY" she wrote in a tweet, adding several heart emojis.
The carpet is kicking off, but Premiere Ceremony continues
By my count, there are still 18 categories left to hand out during the Premiere Ceremony.
Meanwhile, stars have started walking the red carpet.
New York Youth Symphony is first youth orchestra to win best orchestra performance
Conductor Michael Repper and the New York Youth Symphony just won the Grammy for best orchestra performance for their recording of "Works by Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, Valerie Coleman." It is the first youth orchestra to win this award.
Who was Georg Solti, the conductor whose record for most Grammys Beyoncé is expected to break?
With 30 Grammy awards and nine nominations this year alone, the odds are stacked in Beyoncé’s favor to break the record for most Grammys won Sunday.
Beyoncé is just one short of the record for most awards won, held by conductor Georg Solti, with 31 wins. Solti made his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1954 and was its musical director for 22 years, according to the orchestra’s website.
Solti accumulated many classical music awards, including best classical performance for orchestra and classical album of the year. Fun fact: He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.
Beyoncé's summer album, “Renaissance,” is up for album of the year, and her hit song “Break My Soul” is nominated for both record and song of the year.
Beyoncé just surpassed Quincy Jones for the second-most Grammys won, beating his 28 awards. Jones is a musician, producer, songwriter, composer known for producing Michael Jackson’s album “Thriller” and producing the film “The Color Purple.”
Kendrick Lamar wins 2 Grammys (so far)
Kendrick Lamar won best rap performance and best rap song for “The Heart Part 5” at tonight's premiere ceremony. The rapper and songwriter is nominated for eight Grammys tonight.
Still 3+ hours to go until the Grammys ...
After an hour and a half, the Premiere Ceremony — which is being streamed online — is still going strong. But we still have a ways to go until the Grammys ceremony itself.
According to Forbes, the majority of the Grammys are actually distributed during the Premiere Ceremony, which is a "lesser-known event in the music industry, but one that is incredibly important nonetheless."
Important indeed! Queen Bey, Kendrick Lamar and Brandi Carlile are already picking up wins.
Brandi Carlile is already winning big tonight
Brandi Carlile won best rock song, alongside Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth, as well as best rock performance, for “Broken Horses."
Carlile's nominated in seven categories tonight, including album of the year, record of the year and best Americana album.
"I met these guys 22 years ago we decided to get in a van and be in a band together," Carlile said while accepting her first award Sunday. "They had never even played an acoustic guitar, and then this happened."
30 for Queen Bey
Beyoncé is now a 30-time Grammy winner. She took home the award for best traditional R&B performance at the Premiere Ceremony.
Viola Davis earns coveted EGOT
Viola Davis has earned the rare and coveted EGOT status — becoming the third Black woman in history to achieve the honor.
Davis, 57, won her first Grammy for her performance of the audiobook for her memoir, “Finding Me.”
“It has just been such a journey,” Davis said. “I just EGOT!”
Read the full story here.
Samara Joy already shining at the Grammys
Moments after she performed at the Premiere Ceremony, Samara Joy accepted the award for best jazz vocal album for "Linger Awhile."
“Oh my gosh, I’m so grateful," she said Sunday. "I’m so thankful, I’m so honored to be here."
She's a two-time nominee tonight, having also been recognized in the best new artist category.
We love to see it: Amanda Gorman presenting
Amanda Gorman, who is nominated in the best spoken word poetry album category, also presented at the Premiere Ceremony.
Sadly, she did not perform. Next time!
Beyoncé just won her 29th Grammy
Beyoncé has already got one award in the books tonight, taking home the award for best dance/electronic recording for “Break My Soul.”
The win was announced at the Grammys Premiere Ceremony.
Beyoncé is the most nominated artist this year, having received nods in nine categories. They bring her to 88 nominations in her career — tying with her husband, Jay- Z, as the most nominated artist in history.
Queen Bey, who last week announced her 2023 tour, now has racked up 29 Grammys overall; however, she has never won the album of the year statuette. This year, she's up against several artists in that category, including Adele, who took the award home in 2017.
Video game soundtracks get their moment
The Grammys' first-ever best score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media award went to Steph Economou for "Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök."
Economou gave a shout out to those who fought to get this category its own recognition.
'Encanto' gets the first two Grammys of the day
The Disney hit "Encanto" took home the first two Grammys of the day for best compilation soundtrack for visual media and best score soundtrack for visual media, for composer Germaine Franco.
“Encanto,” which means “charm” in Spanish, is Disney’s 60th animated feature film. The film’s songs and music are by “Hamilton” composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. It tells the tale of the Madrigal family, whose members are gifted with magical powers to help their community in Colombia. The story is told through the eyes of Mirabel, who doesn’t have magical powers.
My take? It's not a surprise that it's already getting some Grammy love. The movie was widely popular, even getting its own live show at the Hollywood Bowl. It also found new life on TikTok.
The Premiere Ceremony has begun
The Grammys kicked off Sunday with its pre-show Premiere Ceremony, streaming it on YouTube and at live.grammy.com. The pre-ceremony stream will announce the winners in the nontelevised categories.
Randy Rainbow, the viral sensation and three-time Emmy-nominated musical comedian, is hosting. He has already joked that he will not be getting political.
"There will be no George Santos jokes at this performance," he said.
Iranians are rooting for Shervin Hajipour
Shervin Hajipour is the artist behind the song “Barayeh,” which many Iranians have declared the unofficial anthem of the months of protests that have swept Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini.
Hajipour was jailed — and later released — after the song went viral. When the Recording Academy opened up its submissions for a new category — best song for social change — Iranians took to social media to encourage people to submit “Barayeh.”
Hajipour composed the song from tweets and other social media posts by protesters. As the song’s lyrics suggest, the primarily women-led protests have become about far more than a single injustice. The movement is about "azadi," which means "freedom" in Persian.
In October, the Recording Academy said that it had received about 95,000 submissions for Hajipour’s song. Over the last week, Iranian celebrities such as actor Nazanin Boniadi and comedian Maz Jobrani have been amplifying the song ahead of the Grammys.
"I hope #Shervinhajipour wins “Best Song for Social Change” at the #Grammys this weekend. No politician or activist has managed to capture the aspirations of this #IranRevoIution more," Boniadi wrote in a tweet. "A battle cry for change, an ode to a better tomorrow, and the heartbeat of a nation."
Covid, who?
The Grammys return to Los Angeles on Sunday after two years of socially distancing the awards from Crypto.com Arena (that’s a play on a Trevor Noah joke from when he previously hosted, so I can’t take credit for it!).
Last year, the awards moved to Las Vegas because of rising Covid-19 cases and concerns over the spread of the omicron variant. In 2021, the Grammys were held in an unusual outdoor setting, also because of Covid concerns.
This year, it’s almost as if Covid never existed. The week leading up to Sunday’s big show was filled with A-list events like brunches, happy hours, screenings and big parties. As Variety pointed out, it seems “even more action-packed than the pre-Covid years.”
Trevor Noah is gracing our TV screens again
Trevor Noah, who recently left his gig as host of “The Daily Show,” will helm the Grammys for a third time tonight.
Even though he’s a pro at this point, he told The Associated Press he still gets nervous.
“The nerves come in because you’re standing in front of not just some of the best, but some of the biggest performers in the world,” he said. “Nerves are part of what I do.”
There are some new categories this year
The Recording Academy last year announced some new categories for the 65th awards show. Here are some things to watch for:
Where to watch the Grammys
People with cable can watch the Grammys live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
For the cord cutters out there, the show can also be streamed on Paramount+. The platform is offering a free trial you can use to watch the Grammys online for free.
And of course, follow along with our blog for live updates.
Regardless of how you tune in, make sure you are cozied up, as the show is about 3½ hours long.
