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Adrian Horton
Photograph: Rob Latour/REX/ShutterstockHarry’s House producer and songwriter Kid Harpoon is the next performer-selected presenter, introducing “my friend Gary, or as you guys know him, Harry Styles.” Clad in a shimmery silver jumpsuit (his third outfit of the evening), Styles performed As It Was with choreography that mimicked the spinning wheel of the music video. The camera cuts to Taylor Swift, again (she’s standing and clapping).
Adrian Horton
Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/ReutersBeyoncé is here! A fact that Trevor Noah appears eager to announce – he presents her 31st Grammy to her, casually sitting in the front row with Jay Z, no big deal.
WINNER: Bad Bunny — Un Verano Sin Ti, best música urbano album
Adrian Horton
Photograph: Rob Latour/REX/ShutterstockBenito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as the Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, says of his smash album Un Verano Sin Ti, “it’s easy because I just made this album with love and passion…and when you do things with love and passion, everything is easier. Life is easier.”
I unfortunately do not speak Spanish so I will be getting a translation for the rest of the speech, including his dedication to the people of Puerto Rico.
Adrian Horton
Not everyone was (visibly) enjoying the performance from Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Chris Stapleton – Twitter has pointed out that Ben Affleck looked like he would rather be…anywhere else.
WINNER: Sam Smith and Kim Petras — Unholy, best pop duo/group performance
Adrian Horton
Photograph: Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesSam Smith cedes the floor to collaborator Kim Petras, who becomes the first transgender woman to win the award.
The German pop singer thanked “all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be her tonight.” She especially thanked her friend Sophie, the late trans hyperpop artist who died in an accidental fall in January 2021, and whose “inspiration will always be in my music.”
Petras also thanked Madonna – “I don’t think I could be here without Madonna” – and her mother, for supporting her as a trans youth.
Adrian Horton
Chris Stapleton and Stevie Wonder. Photograph: Rob Latour/REX/ShutterstockA Barry Gordy and Smokey Robinson tribute performance by Robinson, Stevie Wonder and country star Chris Stapleton shredding on guitar has highlighted the awkwardness of the table set-up – many celebrities (Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Flavor Flav and others) are dancing to their own rhythm in the large space between tables.
Adrian Horton
Twitter is having fun with the idea that Beyoncé is late because she’s “stuck in traffic.”
Adrian Horton
In case you missed it, here’s video of Trevor Noah introducing Adele to The Rock, the one celebrity she’s wanted to meet but hasn’t, during the opening monologue.
WINNER: Willie Nelson — A Beautiful Time, best country album
Adrian Horton
Photograph: Harrison Mcclary/ReutersShania Twain, in a bright red wig, presents and accepts the award for best country album to 89-year-old Willie Nelson, who is not in attendance.
Adrian Horton
True to form, Taylor Swift has already provided numerous dance moments – she got on her feet for Bad Bunny’s performance, which Twitter has noted.
WINNER: Beyoncé — Cuff It, best R&B song
Adrian Horton
Photograph: Valeska Thomas/PA“Beyoncé is on her way,” Noah reassures when she does not take the stage to accept her 31st Grammy award, tying the record for all-time wins. The host blames her absence on traffic (?) and Niles Rodgers, who plays on the Renaissance track, accepts on her behalf.
Adrian Horton
Another new bit for this year: a fan focus group for the album of the year award. The first clip from the roundtable introduces us to three of the superfans: a woman who feels Beyoncé’s Church Girl was written for her, another who adores “Benito” aka Bad Bunny, and a great-grandmother from Ontario who is Harry Styles’s #1 fan.
WINNER: Harry Styles — Harry’s House, best pop vocal album
Adrian Horton
Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyThe night’s first award goes to Harry Styles for best pop vocal album. Styles described making Harry’s House with two of his best friends as “the greatest experience of my life” and playing it for people “the greatest joy I could’ve asked for.” More interesting: the camera cut to Taylor Swift for a reaction shot, which feels rude.