Grammys 2023: Six biggest talking points, from Ben Affleck memes to Beyoncé’s record-breaking win

British pop star won over Beyonce’s critically adored album ‘Renaissance’

Kim Petras becomes first trans woman to win Grammy for Best Pop Duo

Harry Styles took home the biggest prize at this year’s Grammy Awards, marking a shock upset on what many expected to be Beyonce’s night.

The British pop singer won for his 2021 record Harry’s House, beating projects by Beyoncé, Adele and Lizzo.

“S***, well s***,” he said, upon accepting the trophy. “I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me, and a lot of different times in my life I’ve listened to everyone in this category when I’m alone.

“On nights like tonight, it’s so important to remember there’s no such thing as best. This is so kind, this doesn’t happen to people like me very often and it’s so nice.”

Despite missing out on Album of the Year, which she has still never won, Beyoncé took home her 32nd Grammy Award to become the most decorated artist in the awards show’s history.

Other memorable moments on the night included Quavo’s tribute performance for his nephew and bandmate Takeoff, who was killed last year, Dave Chappelle winning Best Comedy Album for his Netflix comedy special, The Closer, which drew heavy criticism for jokes about the transgender community, and Viola Davis officially achieving EGOT status, becoming only the third Black woman in history to earn the honour.

Below are the biggest talking points of the 65th annual Grammy Awards.

Kim Petras makes history by becoming the first trans woman to win a Grammy award for Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration

Kim Petras and Sam Smith accepted the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration for their song “Unholy,” making Petras the first-ever transgender woman to win a Grammy in the category.

Petras and Smith walked onstage together, but Smith stood behind Petras and gave her the mic.

“Sam graciously wanted me to accept this award because I’m the first transgender woman to win this award,” Petras said. “I just want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who take these doors open for me so I couldn’t be here tonight,” she said, before referencing the late Grammy-nominated producer Sophie, who died in 2020.

Petras also thanked Madonna for “fighting for LGBTQ rights” before turning the speech to her mother, who she says supported her throughout her entire journey.

Kim Petras (left) and Sam Smith (Getty Images for The Recording A)

The singer ended the speech by turning back to Smith. “This is a huge moment for me, Sam. Thank you. You’re a true angel and hero in my life. And I love you and everyone who made the song too. I love you guys so much. Sorry, I didn’t write down the names!”

Sam Smith fans call out reporter for misgendering singer

Sam Smith’s fans called out a reporter for misgendering the singer while covering the 2023 Grammy Awards red carpet.

Smith, who uses they/them pronouns, arrived at the awards show with Kim Petras when a reporter with the Associated Press said: “Sam Smith has had a lot of controversy around his outfits this past year, I love that he’s continuing to push the mould, love that he’s continuing to break out from the Sam Smith that we knew at the ballads.

“He’s still singing those ballads, but he’s definitely diving fully in, into pop music, and we can see that, not only in his music, but also in his looks as well.”

Smith came out as non-binary and genderqueer in 2019. In an interview, earlier this year, the singer said changing their pronouns “felt like coming home”.

Dave Chappelle won a Grammy award for the Netflix special that sparked transphobia accusations

Dave Chappelle won Best Comedy Album at the 2023 Grammys for his recent Netflix comedy special, The Closer, which drew heavy criticism for jokes about the transgender community.

Critics accused Chappelle of “transphobic” remarks, such as saying he was “team Terf” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist). He was also widely condemned for claiming that the LGBTQ+ community was attempting to “destroy” the lives of celebrities such as JK Rowling by “cancelling” them.

Beyoncé becomes the biggest winner in Grammys history

Beyoncé accepting her record-breaking 32nd Grammy Award (Getty Images)

Beyoncé broke the record for the most Grammy Award wins of all time, after collecting her 32nd trophy at this year’s ceremony.

The singer made history as she won the Best Dance/Electronic Album award, for her 2022 album Renaissance. In doing so, she overtook Hungarian-British conductor George Solti, whose record of 31 awards had stood for more than 20 years.

Apart from Best Dance/Electronic Album, the “Break My Soul” singer also won Best Dance/Electronic Recording, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song awards.

Ben Affleck became the meme of the night

Amid all the revelry was poor old Ben Affleck, who looked dejected next to his wife Jennifer Lopez.

Affleck, who is no stranger to the meme community, was quickly derided for his “miserable” expression on social media.

“Ben Affleck is every guy at his wife’s work party,” one user tweeted, while another wrote: “Ben Affleck at the Grammys is me any time I have to be on a Zoom call.”

Fans got emotional during the In Memoriam section

Emotions were running high during Quavo’s tribute to Takeoff, which was followed by a tribute for Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie.

Quavo sang his song “Without You” with help from Maverick City Music in memory of his Migos bandmate, who died aged 28 in November after being shot.

Meanwhile, Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, and Bonnie Raitt paid tribute to Fleetwood Mac member Christie McVie with a rendition of “Songbird”.

As always, the in-memoriam segment was a painful reminder of all the incredible artists we lost recently.

Scroll down to see how the night unfolded.

Grammy Awards 2023

• Harry Styles wins Album of the Year
• 2023 Grammys winners in full
• Take a look inside the Grammys gift bags worth $60k

[5 February 2023 22:00 · Roisin O'Connor]

Hosted by Trevor Noah, tonight’s ceremony will recognise “outstanding” achievements in the music industry.

Winners are decided by a learned school of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other musical professionals and are presented by the Recording Academy.

The Grammys are also one of the four major American entertainment awards needed to achieve an EGOT.

Major artists including Adele, Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran are all up for awards at this year’s ceremony. You can find the full list of nominees here.

Here’s how to tune in this evening!

[5 February 2023 22:11 · Roisin O'Connor]

Viola Davis achieves EGOT status!

Viola Davis has officially achieved EGOT status, becoming only the third Black woman in history to earn the honor.

On Sunday, the 57-year-old actor accepted her very first Grammy Award for her performance of the audiobook for her memoir Finding Me at the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony.

“It has just been such a journey,” Ms Davis said in her acceptance speech. “I just EGOT!”

She went on to say she “wrote this book to honor the 6-year-old Viola, to honor her, to honor her life, her joy, her trauma, her everything.”

Full story:

[5 February 2023 22:20 · Roisin O'Connor]

Who is Grammys 2023 host Trevor Noah?

Curious about tonight’s host? To anyone who watched the Grammys in 2022, or the year before, you’ll definitely recognise comedian Trevor Noah.

Here’s everything you need to know as he returns for a third hosting stint:

[5 February 2023 22:33 · Roisin O'Connor]

They’re blasting through some of the early awards at the Premiere Ceremony, including the country music categories and film soundtracts.

So far, Disney film Encanto has picked up the prize for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, while Beyonce nabbed an early win for Best Dance/Electronic Recording with “Break My Soul”. She’s now only three awards away from breaking the record for most Grammy wins in history...!

[5 February 2023 22:40 · Roisin O'Connor]

Lizzo - Special review

Lizzo is up for the coveted Album of the Year prize with her album Special.

“Having found her self-worth, she’s now on a mission to lift those around her, too,” said critic Helen Brown.

“So Special is overflowing with love and gratitude to friends, family, lovers and fans. She shouts out to her ladies on the terrific ‘Grrrls’. Over deep, wobbling bass she offers a realistic celebration of friendship, conceding of her bestie: ‘Yes we tussle, mind your business… This the type of fight I’m lookin’ for’. Lizzo was called out by the disabled community for using the word ‘s***’ in an earlier version of this song. But she listened to complaints, apologised and re-recorded it. No fuss.”

Read the full review here:

[5 February 2023 22:50 · Roisin O'Connor]

[5 February 2023 22:55 · Roisin O'Connor]

The best looks so far from the Grammys red carpet

Our dedicated lifestyle team are busy documenting all the incredibly outfits being debuted tonight on the Grammys red carpet.

Check out the favourites so far, including some skintight Versace latex from Doja Cat, and an eye-popping red rose gown from Lizzo.

[5 February 2023 23:00 · Roisin O'Connor]

Grammys red carpet kicks off

Stars are about to start arriving on the red carpet!

Let’s take a quick last look at some of the most iconic Grammys outfits:

[5 February 2023 23:15 · Roisin O'Connor]

Grammys 2023 winners in full - latest

You can find the full list of Grammys 2023 winners right here.

Early wins have included Beyonce, Michael Buble, and Viola Davis, who became the third Black woman in history to achieve EGOT status after she winning a Grammy for her performance of the audiobook for her memoir Finding Me at the Premiere Ceremony.

Meanwhile, Beyoncé inched closer to becoming the most decorated artist in the history of the Grammys after “Break My Soul” won the Best Dance/Electronic Recording category.

She is now only three wins away from making music history, with nine nominations including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Years.

Full list of winners in full here:

[5 February 2023 23:20 · Roisin O'Connor]

Shania Twain arrives at the 2023 Grammys

Shania, my ultimate fave, has come as a Dr Seuss character