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Grammys 2026 highlights: A night of firsts and flubs
The 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles delivered a mix of groundbreaking victories, unexpected speeches and performances that ranged from dazzling to downright confusing. Bad Bunny dominated with three wins, K-pop group Demon Hunters made history, and Olivia Dean cemented her rising star status.
Cher's return marred by on-stage confusion
Cher made her first Grammy appearance in 18 years to accept a lifetime achievement award and present Record of the Year. Her heartfelt speech about pursuing dreams was overshadowed by a bizarre moment when she incorrectly announced the late Luther Vandross as the winner. She later clarified she meant the Kendrick Lamar and SZA track sampling Vandross's work. Host Trevor Noah quipped, "I love live television."
Historic wins and emotional tributes
K-pop's Demon Hunters won Best Song for Visual Media for their Netflix series hit Golden, marking the genre's first Grammy. Singer EJAE humorously thanked her dentist, where the song's melody struck her during a routine visit. Meanwhile, British artist Yungblud dedicated his Best Rock Performance win to the late Ozzy Osbourne, calling it "bittersweet" following Osbourne's death last summer.
"It's an honor to be here. I was not expecting us to go this far."
Billie Eilish's 8-year-old sister, winner of Best Children's Album
Performances: From bizarre to brilliant
Sabrina Carpenter delivered a surreal yet captivating performance of Manchild, playing an airline pilot while dismissing a series of inept men. Lady Gaga's Abracadabra was a theatrical spectacle, complete with Satanic wicker baskets and blinding floodlights. Justin Bieber's near-nude rendition of Yukon-clad only in silk boxers and a guitar-drew laughs from Noah, who joked the show nearly ended up on OnlyFans.
New categories and industry shifts
The Grammys split Best Country Album into traditional and contemporary categories, a move some linked to Beyoncé's genre-defying Cowboy Carter win last year. Rapper-turned-country star Jelly Roll won the contemporary award, praising the Recording Academy's adaptability. "There's been an undeniable tsunami in the genre," he said backstage.
Bad Bunny's quiet dominance
Bad Bunny secured Album of the Year but couldn't perform due to Super Bowl halftime show restrictions. Noah playfully pressured him to sing, leading to an impromptu brass band moment. "Maybe a little bit," Bunny admitted about his envy of other performers. Spielberg also joined the EGOT club with a win for Music for John Williams, his 22nd major award.
Red carpet and offbeat moments
Heidi Klum turned heads in a restrictive nude latex dress, while Chappell Roan's topless look sparked conversation. A Devil Wears Prada sequel trailer premiered during the broadcast, teasing Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly questioning, "Sorry, who is this?" as Anne Hathaway's character returns.
"The real award is the work itself. Getting to do it, getting to have people hear the music."
Carole King, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter
TikTok stars stumble and shine
Former Hype House members Addison Rae and Alex Warren faced mixed fortunes. Warren's earpiece malfunctioned during his performance, while Rae's dynamic Fame Is a Gun routine-filmed amid rolling trophy carts-earned praise. Both lost Best New Artist to Olivia Dean, whose Man I Need had the audience singing along.
