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’
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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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.
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 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.
Maneskin are here!
Italian stallions Maneskin are here, dressed to the nines as per. They’re up for the Best New Artist prize tonight, alongside
Speaking to the Associated Press, frontman Damiano David explained how he hopes the band are helping to channel a new image for Italy, “not just pizza, pasta...”
Sam Smith fans call out Grammys reporter for misgendering singer
Sam Smith’s fans have 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 their “Unholy” collaborator Kim Petras on Sunday (5 February).
They were accompanied by their music video co-stars Gottmik and Violet Chachki from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
While discussing Smith’s red carpet look, 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.”
Full story:
Sam Smith fans call out Grammys reporter for misgendering singer
Smith changed their pronouns in 2019
Taylor Swift spotted dancing to Bad Bunny’s opening performance
Bad Bunny opened the 65th Grammy Awards with a colourful live performance.
Among the guests spotted enjoying the show was Taylor Swift, who got up to dance from her table right next to the main stage.
Grammy nominee Bad Bunny kicks off the night with explosive live show
The 65th annual Grammy awards kicked off with an explosive performance by Bad Bunny.
The Puerto Rican rapper is nominated for three awards at the ceremony, taking place at the Crypto.com arena in downtown Los Angeles.
The performance featured pyrotechnics and scores of dancers dressed in traditional dress, set against a tropical background.
Multiple members of the audience got to their feet to dance, including famous faces such as Taylor Swift.
Referring to Bad Bunny as he opened the show, host Trevor Noah said: “That album is so fire it makes (Donald) Trump want to learn Spanish.”
Press Association
Trevor Noah cracks Chinese spy balloon joke
“Think of me as the Chinese spy balloon, gathering all the information you want,” Trevor Noah quipped as he opened the 65th Grammy Awards.
The comedian was referencing the row this week after a Chinese spy balloon entered US airspace.
Today, a senior defence official claimed Chinese spy balloons previously entered US airspace three times during Donald Trump’s presidency,
This comes as Mr Trump and other Republicans have rejected such assertions, attempting to blame the incursions on Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
The Defence Department said in a statement on Saturday that “Chinese balloons briefly transited the continental United States at least three times during the prior administration”.
Yet another balloon entered US airspace previously during Mr Biden’s time as president, the Associated Press reported.
Harry Styles wins Best Pop Vocal Album
Harry Styles is the first winner of the night! He takes home the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for Harry’s House.
“This album from start to finish has been the greatest experience of my life. Thank you so much,” he said, accepting the award.
Beyoncé has equalled the record! But she’s not here...
Beyoncé is “on her way”, Noah promises as she wins Best R&B Song for “Cuff It”. The singer has just equalled the record for most Grammy wins of all time yet is still not here. The Queen does what she wants.
Willie Nelson wins Best Country Album aged 89
Shania Twain accepts on his behalf.
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