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Adrian HortonJustin Bieber. Photograph: Christopher Polk/Billboard/Getty Images
Justin Bieber tested my nerves with that extended intro to his first major performance in four years, strolling around the carpeted stage in maybe boxers (or gym shorts?) and strumming a guitar. But he stuck the landing, delivering a soulful, if understated, rendition of the standout swag track Yukon. This bodes well for the Coachella headliner set … I think.
Updated at 21.18 EST
Adrian HortonBad Bunny and Trevor Noah Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters
I do love to see Trevor Noah shouting out Bad Bunny for his groundbreaking residency in Puerto Rico, where he partnered with local hotels, kept tickets affordable for locals and still added $400m to the island’s economy.
The host sat down at the superstar’s table – where he’s seated next to Miley Cyrus?! – for a slightly awkward bit about his lack of performance tonight (he can’t, because Super Bowl next week) and leaving the US for Puerto Rico … (a joke on colonialism, get it) that Benito handled as smoothly as he could.
Updated at 21.18 EST
Benjamin Lee
That’s very not it:
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An applause-worthy reveal:
ShareWINNER: Olivia Dean — best new artistAdrian Horton
As is tradition, last year’s honored newcomer, Chappell Roan, anoints the new: Olivia Dean, who appears surprised and overwhelmed.
Olivia Dean. Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters
“I never really imagined that I would be up here,” she said, pulling it together quickly. “An artist is really nothing without her team,” so she thanked her best friend and manager of 10 years, Emily.
And she added, pointedly and politely and to many cheers, that she is the granddaughter of an immigrant: “Yeah, I’m a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We’re nothing without each other.”
Updated at 21.09 EST
Adrian HortonAlex Warren. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
We’re still doing the best new artist medley – and by that I mean Alex Warren has gone onto an elevated platform for his mega-hit Ordinary, a song I cannot remember even though I’ve now heard it dozens of times.
Moving on – Lola Young, the soulful British singer who recently took a self-imposed mental health break from touring, is here! For a stripped-down, emotional rendition of her hit Messy.
Olivia Dean. Photograph: JC Olivera/WireImage
Then it’s on to the likely winner: fellow Brit Olivia Dean, poised and polished as ever for Man I Need, which remains on permanent rotation for me.
And bringing us home is New York’s sombr, the 20-year-old coming for Harry Styles’s place in pop music, wearing a disco ball-esque suit for his breakout track 12 to 12.
Updated at 20.59 EST
Benjamin Lee
The tightly packed table setup situation is … a choice
If you don’t want a restaurant host wandering around to tables and bothering guests why would you want a Grammys host to
— Richard Lawson (@rilaws) February 2, 2026
ShareAdrian Horton
It’s time (already?!) for the best new artist medley, where each of the eight nominees make their case, in quick succession, to join the ranks of Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, et al.
LA’s own The Marías kicked it off with a blue-dosed track No One Noticed, which ceded to a backstage Addison Rae, completing her miraculous transformation from TikTok star to legit pop star (and my personal best new artist fave) with a tongue-in-cheek rendition of Fame Is A Gun underneath the Crypto.com arena.
KATSEYE. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
But then there’s KATSEYE, the multinational K-pop supergroup, who doubled down on the choreo for their track Gnarly, which got Teyana Taylor and the women Haim on their feet. Also on their feet: Doechii, for R&B breakout Leon Thomas’s hit Mutt, which offered a stirring and soulful change of pace.
Updated at 20.58 EST
Adrian Horton
Just a note that with that best rap album win, Kendrick Lamar surpassed Jay Z to become the most decorated rap artist in Grammy history, with 26 awards.
Lamar won three awards prior to the telecast: best rap song for TV Off, best melodic rap performance for Luther (with SZA) and best rap performance for his feature in Clipse’s Chains & Whips.
Lamar may extend his lead, as he’s still up for the night’s biggest awards – record, song and album of the year.
ShareWINNER: Kendrick Lamar, GNX — best rap albumAdrian HortonKendrick Lamar. Photograph: Valérie Macon/AFP/Getty Images
And the first (televised) award of the night goes to Kendrick Lamar, the most-nominated artist tonight with nine nods (and three wins already).
As usual, a dapper Lamar keeps it brief and humble: “I’m not good at talking about myself, I express it through the music,” he said.
“Every time I tell you this: hip-hop is always gonna be right here,” he added, referring to his hometown of Compton. “We’re gonna be in these suits, we’re gonna be looking good. We’re gonna have folks with us, we’re gonna have the culture with us.”
Updated at 20.34 EST
Adrian HortonSabrina Carpenter. Photograph: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
A smart move, if you want to keep the energy up, to cut straight from Noah’s intro to Sabrina Carpenter, who delivered a solid rendition of her hit Manchild while dressed as, true to form, a retro-themed sexy flight attendant. Best believe she likes her men all incompetent and did not adjust any lyrics for CBS censors. We’re off to a strong start!
Updated at 20.25 EST
It’s showtime!Adrian HortonTrevor Noah Photograph: Valérie Macon/AFP/Getty Images
And we’re off! After kicking things off with a rock-ified version of their hit APT. – nominated for record and song of the year tonight – Bruno Mars and Blackpink’s Rosé introduce tonight’s emcee, Trevor Noah.
The six-time Grammys host – he has helmed every ceremony since the socially distanced Covid Grammys, what is time – kept it light and easy, avoiding politics and instead hyping up “the best concert money can’t buy”, which apparently will include Lauryn Hill, performing at the Grammys for the first time since 1999.
Noah then took a stroll around the star-studded room – “I feel like I’m at Jeff Bezos’s wedding, but with more Black people,” he joked amid seemingly the smallest tables ever seen at an awards show, while shouting out the many big names: Jelly Roll, Pharrell, Reba McEntire (performing tonight?!), rap duo Clipse, Doechii, Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny and Justin Bieber.
Stressed? Well, Noah promised that “tonight there is no anxiety, only good vibes”. Here we go!
Updated at 20.27 EST
Benjamin Lee
Here’s a reminder of who is nominated for what:
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Only a few minutes out from showtime, the superstars have arrived:
Billie Eilish. Photograph: David Fisher/ShutterstockKarol G. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLady Gaga. Photograph: Brianna Bryson/WireImageShare
Updated at 20.25 EST
Adrian Horton
A few of the country stars on hand tonight:
Kelsea Ballerini. Photograph: Gilbert Flores/Billboard/Getty ImagesLainey Wilson. Photograph: Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesJelly Roll. Photograph: John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyShare
Updated at 20.14 EST
Benjamin Lee
KPop: Demon Hunters earworm Golden has already won best song from a movie, but I can’t imagine a night where it doesn’t win something else. Katie Hawthorne spoke to those involved with the song right here:
Updated at 20.24 EST
Benjamin Lee Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters
It’s been a week full of performer announcements with something for almost everyone. There might still be some surprises tonight (the telecast is essentially a very long concert) but here’s who we have confirmed so far:
Lady Gaga
Tyler, the Creator
Justin Bieber
Rosé
Clipse and Pharrell Williams
Sabrina Carpenter
Bruno Mars
Best new artist nominees Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, Sombr and the Marías.
In memoriam performers Lauryn Hill, Post Malone, Slash, Brandy Clark, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith, Lukas Nelson, Andrew Watt and Reba McEntire.
Meanwhile presenters will include Harry Styles, Jeff Goldblum, Doechii, Nikki Glaser, Queen Latifah and Teyana Taylor.
ShareAdrian Horton
Has Miley Cyrus ever missed a Grammys night? The singer is looking cool as ever, wearing custom Celine:
Miley Cyrus. Photograph: Gilbert Flores/Billboard/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 20.13 EST