TikTokers turned pop stars, ICE slander and everything else you missed from the 2026 Grammys
Everything you missed at the 2026 Grammys
Commentary: The 86th annual Grammy Awards was anything short of boring, featuring broken records and activism.
Hanging onto the back door of a moving box truck, Addison Rae sang her hit song “Fame is a Gun” in a bedazzled purple trench coat only Carrie Bradshaw would own. Nominated for Best New Artist, the former TikTok creator reminded us that she “always wanted more” with her signature headset microphone and a seductive choreographed routine.
Rae and the seven other nominees for Best New Artist each got their chance to showcase their talents with a live performance Sunday night. Notably, this is the first year all Best New Artist nominees performed back-to-back.
Besides iconic performances like Rae’s, the Grammys was an evening full of historic wins. The night also featured jabs at ICE and breathtaking red carpet looks. Honorable red carpet mentions include Chappell Roan in custom Mugler and FKA twigs, winner of Best Dance/Electronic Album for Eusexua.
Comedian Trevor Noah hosted “Music’s biggest night of the year” for the sixth (and final) time in a row. Noah did his best at easing some of the heavy tension in the world with teasing crowd work and stand-up bits.
Noah poked fun at Kendrick Lamar for the evolution of rap beef right before Lamar accepted the award for Best Rap Album for GNX. Lamar broke Jay-Z’s previous record as most-awarded rapper in Grammy history with this win. Lamar was also the most-nominated artist this year with nine nominations. He took home all nine wins – including Record of the Year for “Luther” featuring SZA – bringing his total to 26.
Many of the artists who won tonight used their acceptance speech platform to speak out against ICE. While accepting her first-ever Grammy for her single “Folded,” Kehlani threw ICE a not-so-friendly word starting with the letter “f.”
After wiping away tears of joy, Olivia Dean also voiced her appreciation for immigrants while accepting the Grammy for Best New Artist.
“I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” Dean said. “I’m a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We’re nothing without each other.”
Other A-listers, including the Biebers, Billie Eilish and Carole King, incorporated activism into their outfits by tacking “ICE Out” pins onto their looks.
Although the fashion activism was arguably its own performance category Sunday night, the on-stage acts were just as moving. Justin Bieber performed a raspy version of “Yukon” in only boxers and a pair of socks. The outfit choice left audiences wondering if Bieber forgot something at home.
The Marías – nominated for Best New Artist – performed “No One Noticed” off their 2024 indie pop album Submarine. Although she didn’t take home the Grammy this time, I’m still convinced lead singer María Zendoya and her microbangs could rule the world. Pharell Williams and Clipse performed “Chains & Whips” with a small choir in Louis Vuitton robes. This couture touch I assume was done by the hand of LV’s creative director.
How could a recap of this year’s Grammy performances take place mentioning Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” rendition that literally took flight? Carpenter traded her typical bedazzled corset for an all-white pilot-inspired ensemble, complete with an aviation set – baggage claim and all. Carpenter was nominated for six Grammys this year, including four for “Manchild” and two for Man’s Best Friend.
Transportation-themed props seemed to be a recurring theme this year. In addition to Sabrina Carpenter Air (a.k.a everyone’s most-trusted airline) Tyler, the Creator crashed a red Ferrari during his performance of “Sugar On My Tongue.” His Chromakopia won Best Album cover designed by art directors Shaun Llewellyn and Luis Perez.
Other wins of the night included Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos for Best Música Urbana Album and Lady Gaga’s Mayhem for Best Pop Vocal Album. Billie Eilish and Finneas took home Song of the Year for “Wildflower.”
Harry Styles ended the night, handing off the final award to Bad Bunny for Album of the Year. Debí Tirar Más Fotos made history as the first all-spanish-language album to win Albums of the Year. Bad Bunny gave a bilingual, teary eyed speech for this well-deserved win.
During his speech, Bad Bunny dedicated his win to, “all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country to follow their dreams.”
Other notable wins:
- Best R&B album: Leon Thomas, Mutt
- Best Contemporary Country Album: Jelly Roll, Beautifully Broken
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, “Defying Gravity”
- Best Pop Solo Performance: Lola Young, “Messy”
- Best Dance/Electronic Recording: Tame Impala, “End of the Summer”
is a contributor for The NewsHouse.