2025 Grammy Awards Live Blog: We're Talking All The Big Winners, Performances And More

To start, these tragically minimal musings about what I witnessed bouncing between red carpet specials while awaiting the big show.

* Jaden Smith is wearing a house on his head. I want to repeat that, but even if I say it twice, it might make him disappear, and I don’t want to rid the universe of such a mystery.

* I love that several nominees and celebs handled their on-camera red carpet interviews alongside ASL interpreters, such as Cynthia Erivo and Janelle Monáe, though I’m not entirely sure why some seemed to be working with specific talent, instead of all the interviews being interpreted by a dedicated team.

* Chappell Roan’s vintage couture look, which featured a dress from Jean Paul Gaultier’s 2003 collection, is pure standout bliss.

* Can we get Miley Cyrus and Lainey Wilson together for a modern-day Hannah Montana revival? I mean, we can’t, but can someone?

And now….the opening!

PERFORMANCE #1: DAWES performed, singing Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." with the backing band made up of John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, and St. Vincent.

Following host Trevor Noah's opening introduction that paid tribute to Los Angeles while addressing the horrifying and destructive wildfires that have affected the area. If you took a drink each time Taylor Swift could be seen smiling behind the stage, you'd be juuust about ready for the rest of this.

Quite the powerhouse table of Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Margaret Qualley, Cynthia Erivo, and Cynthia Erivo's fingernails, and Cynthia Erivo's thumbnails.

Noah mentioning A.I. making Beatles songs made me want to tap out.

"Lady Gaga in the house!" Looking forward to that new album.

I would love to know what Chappell Roan is looking at as she doesn't look into the camera or up at the host. Magical things, presumably.

PERFORMANCE #2: Billie Eilish performed "Birds of a Feather"

PERFORMANCE #3: Sabrina Carpenter performed a lively mash-up of "Espresso" and "Please, Please, Please."

The performance was prefaced by a fun video featuring Carpenter laughingly cursing and then joking that she isn't able to curse. And then proceeded to sing Nine Inch Nails' "Closer." No, that didn't happen.

Instead, the Disney vet delivered a brilliant performance that kicked off with vaudevillian theatrics, including a spotlight gag, which then morphed into a fully choreographed number with tap dancing. Throw in some behind-the-bushes bawdiness, a feather boa, and Cinderella vibes, and this may already be the best performance of the night.

She earned a standing ovation, for Trevor Noah's sakes.

AWARD: Best Rap Album winner - Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii

A pair of highlights from her inspirational acceptance speech:

• "This category was introduced in 1989, and two women have won: Lauryn Hill — THREE women have won — Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii!"
• "I know there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there that are watching me right now, and I want to tell you you can do it. Anything is possible. Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes onto you that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough or that you’re too dramatic or too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are. I am a testimony."

Jim Gaffigan popped up to announce that Trevor Noah was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. But he was really just there to introduce Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith to the stage, where they sang a bit of "Under the Bridge" a capella while talking about the wildfires.

Kiedis' suit jacket was filled with lips and teeth. I would have added a picture of it, but one of the mouths on the left sleeve told me not to, and I'm obliging.

AWARD: Best Pop Vocal Album winner - Short n' Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

It's the first Grammy win for Carpenter, who took the stage looking shinier than a thousand tiny disco balls, saying that she was still out of breath from the knockout performance earlier.

After joking about saying Hell a few times, she was then bleeped. Hopefully we'll get more of that off-kilter energy if and when she wins more.

Anybody else get Olivia Rodrigo's "Vampire" playing over the start of that NCIS commercial? The way it kept playing so loudly over Trevor Noah makes me thing whoever was in charge of playing that song missed their cue at least twice.

PERFORMANCE #4: Chappell Roan kept lots of makeup artists busy with a rodeo clown-filled performance of "Pink Pony Club."

Roan's pre-stage video was a look back at her rapid rise to fame and her love for Los Angeles, as exemplified in "Pink Pony Club." Perhaps it's no surprise that it started off with her astride a giant pink pony in front of all the performers. That pony should be in at least two more performances tonight, and should be auctioned off for charity.

Lots of singalong moments with this one, too. Janelle Monáe and Kelsea Ballerini, to name a couple. Special shout out to that guitar player shredding it up.

AWARD: Best Country Album winner - COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé

Bizarrely enough, on a day in which Kanye West unfollowed everyone but Taylor Swift on social media, the latter came out to announce the winner for Best Country Album, 15 years after she herself took the award home. So I guess the rapper didn't feel the need to come up and interrupt anyone on this particular stage.

After thanking the overall country music artists and community for welcoming her and her album ot the fold, she said:

Queen Bey genuinely appeared surprised to have won, too, which social media was quick to jump on.

PERFORMANCE #5: As the first of the Best New Artist nominee performances, and without an introduction to be had, Khruangbin took the stage for a dreamily mood-driven performance for "May Ninth."

Making more noise than the band itself is its fans on social media, who shared this general sentiment from Dylan Park-Pettiford:

PERFORMANCE #6: Benson Boone started off his energetic delivery of "Beautiful Things" from the audience, and looked a bit like Freddie Mercury out there. Even when he adjusted the crotch of his pants, I guess.

PERFORMANCE #7: With a win already under her belt, rapper Doechii delivered one of the most flexible performances of any night with "Catfish," which then transitioned into
"Denial Is a River" once she popped the schoolgirl uniform off.

PERFORMANCE #8: Teddy Swims hypnotized the crowd with a swaying performance of his hit "Lose Control."

PERFORMANCE #9: Plenty of cowboy hats were on display when Shaboozie took the stage, first introing with a bit of "Good News" before a lively rendition of "Tipsy."

PERFORMANCE #10: RAYE delivered as much of a showstopping performance as one could expect from a veteran icon, much less a Best New Artist nominee.

To say "Oscar-Winning Tears" was an emotional performance would be like saying the salty water leaking from one's face is wet, but wow, wow, wow all the same.

AWARD: Best New Artist winner - Chappell Roan

Taking the stage following at least one outfit change from the last time we saw her, Chappell Roan looked like a fairy tale accepting her award, and her acceptance speech was also fairy tale-like, at least in the way the original tales were dark and grisly.

Roan used the majority of her speech time to address a goal she set for herself if award success ever came: to call out the music industry. In her words:

To be expected, this entire speech earned some rousing support from those in the audience.

PERFORMANCE #11: Throwing back to the days of good vibes, ma-a-a-an, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars delivered a winning rendition of The Mamas & The Papas "California Dreaming."

Here's hoping this particular version gets released as a single, possibly with charitable intentions.

Some random posts on X seen during the first half-ish portion of the 2025 Grammy Awards:

• If Taylor’s legs don’t win ‘Most Outstanding Performance’ this bitch is rigged . #GRAMMYs - @squarebody777
• I know Doechii was killing it bc my mom didn’t even mention the undies just the talent‍ - @egobokwu
• Chappell Roan calling out the labels, I'm so fucking happy, the industry needed that as loud as possible. All the shit my Dad is STILL mentally recovering from was because of a fucking label. Do NOT tell her to be hush hush about it. – @FandomPhases
• This is probably the best #GRAMMYs I’ve ever seen. WOW!!!! - @Paigebrazell

PERFORMANCE #12: The Weeknd delivered a moody, moving and theatrical-esque version of The Weeknd's 2024 track "Timeless."

If this Lady Gaga clip for "Abracadabra" is setting some kind of precedent for the Grammys to bring music videos back to the masses on top of everything else that's already featured during the extended telecast....I guess I'm in.

Or instead, stay with me here, we just reboot Total Request Live, but with awards given away every so often.

AWARD: Best Latin Pop Album winner - Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran by Shakira

With Jennifer Lopez presenting the award while perhaps wearing a giant bow, Shakira instantly won my heart after winning by embracing her two sons, who looked downright dashing in their get-ups.

She also ended her speech by shouting out both of them, saying:

PERFORMANCE #13: The night's advertised Quincy Jones tribute was quite a throwback. It all kicked off with Will Smith sharing the stage with Herbie Hancock on piano and speaking to some of Q's many accomplishments and musical partnerships. As the Fresh Prince himself put it:

Cynthia Erivo and Herbie Hancock's then paired for quite the lovely take on Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon," which soon brought in a bigger orchestra.

That song gave way to Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier performing B.B. King's "Let the Good Times Roll."

Then, the legendary Stevie Wonder and his harmonica skills joined Herbie Hancock near the piano for Toots Thielemans' oft-covered award-winner "Bluesette." Followed by Wonder sharing a memory about how much Hancock inspired him to get behind the piano, and then sharing love for Quincy Jones along with introducing a performance of "We Are the World," as written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

In hindsight, I feel like Wilson and Collier might have seemed like a smarter choice before this sequence actually went into practice. It might have been fine enough for a starting-off point, but between Erivo and Wonder? In a Quincy Jones tribute?

In any case, all those other thoughts went right out the window when Janelle Monáe stepped out in pure Michael Jackson mode for lots of fancy footwork and Moonwalking, high notes, and jacket-popping for "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough." Sabrina Carpenter may have met her match for the night's most oomph-driven performance.

Some afterthougths about Janelle Monáe's performance during Quincy Jones' tribute, via X:

• Janelle Monet, this is my kind of carrying on. When did the #GRAMMYs  get good again? - @BusyBoyd
• Janelle Monáe was so real for the moonwalk – @tbh_anaiya
• Chappell Roan snapping her fan and Janelle Monae, who is dancing like Michael Jackson on a table, is the moment – @meowburger
• Janelle Monae could commit 17 murders in front of me & I wouldn't tell a soul. I love her so fucking much.  – @BlackPhillip87

And then a bit of Swift-citement.

AWARD: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance winner - "Die With A Smile" by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

After already taking the stage together to rock out for "California Dreamin," they took home the gold for their hit collab. And with their respective thank-yous, each fan-fave musician shared appreciation for the other.

• BRUNO MARS: I’m so honored to be a part of this song with you. I’m so honored to have a small part in your giant musical legacy, and I really truly believe that God gave us this song to sing together, so thank you so much.
• LADY GAGA: Bruno, you are an incredible human being. You’re a musician for the ages. I don't know music without Bruno.

Fun and impressive fact: Bruno Mars has won 16 Grammys in a row if you count his single 2014 award for Best Pop Vocal Album (out of four total nominations) as the starting point. But even if you don't, 15 in a row is bonkers.

PERFORMANCE #14, SORT OF: Chris Martin of Coldplay performed the band's 2024 track "All My Love" along with string musicans for this year's In Memoriam segment, paying tribute to all of the major talents and past Grammy winners who were lost in the past year, from Toby Keith to Ella Jenkins to Bob Newhart to Liam Payne. Much love to everyone still mourning.

AWARD: Record of the Year winner - "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar

As introduced by Miley Cyrus, Kendrick Lamar's first reaction to winning Record of the Year was dropping at least one ring.

He took a humbled approach during his speech, saying hello to Dr. Dre and Swizz Beatz and then giving thanks to the L.A. neighborhoods that were important to him coming up as a rap icon. As well as paying respects to everyone who lost something or someone in the wildfires.

PERFORMANCE #15: Shakira delivered a pair of performances with "Ojos Así" and the eccentrically named "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53."

The second half of the performance was certainly more energetic with lots of lights and dancing, but Shakira rolled her belly so fluidly, so many times during the first song's performance that my own comparably-embarrassing stomach started to cramp with sympathy pains for itself. Winner: Shakira.

I say this with all due respect: Queen Latifah looks like she's wearing Fancy Gotham City Skyline as a jacket, and I am all about this look.

I'm also into Queen Latifah playing a Batman villain, whose name might as well also be Queen Latifah. Or like Evil Queen Latifah. There we go.

AWARD: Alicia Keys was presented the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, and both looked like and spoke like a inspirational goddess delivering her speech.

Keys shared the following about Dr. Dre for being an inspiration who set up a generation of inspirational artists like herself:

AWARD: Song of the Year winner - "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar

How amazing it must have felt for Kendrick Lamar to get this award from Diana Ross herself. The award-winning rapper said it best himself:

Calling out a group of West Coast rappers that spoke to him as a youth and an up-and-coming artist, he shared:

PERFORMANCE #16: Charli XCX kicked off her performance from outside the venue itself, exiting a vehicle with a microphone in hand for "Von Dutch," which she sang as she made her way through the parking area to a makeshift stage surrounded by lots of other somewhat scantily clad fans and dancers. At no point was there a lack of constant movement and energy happening.

The fun then shifted to the stage for "Guess," in which tons of undergarments were tossed up and all around in pure comfy madness. (It was noted that all unworn clothing used in the performance would be donated to those in need.)

Gotta love how hard Billie Eilish, who featured on the album track, was jamming out at her seat.

AWARD: Album of the Year winner - COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé

The final award of the night went to one of music's biggest icons for her genre-swapping release. (Which, to be fair, received a lot of hate on social media as the Grammys went on, but that doesn't match the positive vibe we're going with here.) This look between Beyoncé and Jay-Z is frame-worthy.

It was quite lovely that she took daughter Blue Ivy up to the stage with her like a proud mom. In her humbled words:

While many no doubt expected Taylor Swift to win, the ever-dancing nominee was seen tapping glasses with Jay-Z in celebration, so hopefully no hard feelings. And no hangovers, either.

And that's a rap....er, a wrap. Because as Kendrick Lamar put it, life is all about wrapping music. Maybe I misinterpreted that one.

Thanks to everyone who followed along with tonight's nearly four-hour ceremony, which obviously didn't have time to showcase the rest of the 90+ awards that were officially given out to winning artists. Congratulations to each and every nominee, but more than that, congratulations to anyone and everyone out there who is able to truly feel like their authentic selves through the process of making music and art. Until next year, enjoy all the real-life boogies and hoedowns that present themselves!