When the biggest musicians gather in one stadium, what do you get? Powerhouse shows, friend whispers, bare-skinned couture, and, of course, Taylor Swift dancing in the crowd while it all.
The 2025 Grammys featured all of the biggest classics and more this year. It also highlighted certain instances that went viral and will be discussed for years to come, in addition to some that were so embarrassing that we hope to forget them soon.
We had a lot to talk about at the 2025 Grammy Awards, from the jaw-dropping jewelry (positive) to the jaw-dropping clothing (negative), as well as the incredible performances by Chappell Roan, Doechii, and others, the amazing reactions from Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter, and what might have been Drake’s worst night ever.
Continue reading to experience all the highlights, low points, and “well, that happened” moments from the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Best: The Decades-Spanning Tribute to Quincy Jones
What best describes the life and career of a genius who composed music for pop, R&B, jazz, classical, and movie soundtracks in addition to bringing together people from all over the industry? The Grammys took on that challenge by having his protégé Will Smith present a variety of performances, including Cynthia Erivo’s arrangement of “Fly Me to the Moon” for Frank Sinatra, Lainey Wilson’s rendition of “Let the Good Times Roll” accompanied by pianist Jacob Collier, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock’s renditions of “Bluesette” and “We Are the World” (accompanied by a chorus of children from Los Angeles high schools affected by fire), and Janelle Monae’s stirring homage to Jones’ work as Michael Jackson’s producer. It was a worthy homage to a real one-of-a-kind legend.
Best Beyonc-yay: An Overdue Album of the Year Win
The crowd was ecstatic to celebrate Beyoncé’s victory for Cowboy Carter because they had been waiting a long time for her to win Album of the Year (do you recall Adele dedicated her victory in 2017 to Beyoncé?). Beyoncé praised the firefighters who gave her the award when she was onstage with Blue Ivy, saying, “I just feel very full and very honored.” Many, many years have passed. I would like to express my gratitude to the Grammys, all of the hard work put in by the songwriters, producers, and collaborators.
Best Bombshell: Taylor Swift
With this eye-catching scarlet (or is that Chiefs red?) minidress, matching lip, sandals, and earrings, as well as one incredibly sensual accessory—a heart-adorned chain with a “T” pendant dangling from her upper thigh—Taylor Swift continued her winning streak, which continued at the Grammys. We feel “Guilty as Sin” for being smitten with its style.
Best Brat for a Good Cause: Charli XCX’s Performance
Charli XCX closed out the evening with a boisterous, ecstatic medley of “Von Dutch” and “Guess” that included celebrity appearances and 10,000 pieces of PINK and Victoria’s Secret bras and underwear that seemed to be falling out of the sky. Following the performance, the firm announced that all of the proceeds will be donated to I Support the Girls, which helps those in need by giving them basic necessities like underwear.
Best Creative Use of Carats: Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter’s baby blue halter dress appeared to be the norm for her preferred retro-chic look… until she turned around and showed that the halter was supported by around a billion carats of Chopard diamonds, including a 50-carat pendant and a sautoir necklace.
Best L.A. Tribute: The Opening Number
The event began with Dawes (composed of Taylor Goldsmith, whose home with his wife Mandy Moore was affected, and his brother Griffin, whose home burned down) singing Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” in remembrance of the destruction wrought by the L.A. wildfires. An all-star group of performers, including Sheryl Crowe, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, John Legend, and St. Vincent, supported them.
Best Mama’s Girl: Doechii
Doechii praised God and her mother, Celesia Moore, whom she had brought up on stage to share the moment with her, as she accepted her award for best rap album, becoming just the third woman to receive the distinction. As Doechii gave a stirring speech, her mother looked on proudly.
“I am aware that there are a lot of Black women who are currently observing me, including a Black girl. You can do it, I want to tell you. You can do anything. “Anything can happen,” she declared. “Don’t let someone put preconceptions on you that say you’re too loud, too dramatic, too dark, or that you’re not intelligent enough. I am a testament to the fact that you are precisely who you need to be to be where you are.
Best Reaction: Beyoncé’s Country Win
When Beyoncé won best country album for Cowboy Carter, we might have been yelling at home, but Beyoncé was frozen in the room. She didn’t come to the stage to claim the trophy until she had given us a fantastic new meme and had been pushed by her daughter Blue Ivy.
Best Reason to Flip Out: The Best New Artist Medley
Benson Boone opened a series of captivating performances by some of his fellow Best New Artist contenders with a piano-assisted flip onto the stage and a quick-change moment (thanks to Heidi Klum and Nikki Glaser pulling off his suit to reveal a jumpsuit underneath).
Following him right away were a captivating, flawlessly timed Doechii performance of “Catfish” (which also featured an outfit being torn off), a moving Teddy Swims performance of “Lose Control,” a captivating line dance from Shaboozey and his backup dancers to “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and, lastly, Raye’s strong, gravity-defying “Oscar Winning Tears.” Like the Mean Girls, we wanted them all to win.
Best Reason to Tune In: Every Performance!
We wouldn’t have believed you a year ago if you had told us that we would be singing along from our living rooms at the Grammys instead of just enjoying a bunch of clowns dancing. That is Chappell Roan’s power. However, she was only one of the night’s many spectacular live music moments; we will be watching Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, The Weeknd, Shakira, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars’ amazing performances again and again.
Best Use of Ad Time: Supporting L.A. Heroes and Victims
The Grammys, which drew millions of viewers,. They also used the show’s valuable ad time to highlight the efforts of firefighters and the destruction experienced by the fire survivors who lost everything, as well as to promote local businesses that were impacted by the fires (by sending musicians to film spots with them, like Doja Cat did with Orla Floral Studio, above). During the broadcast, host Trevor Noah said that they had raised $7 million to date.
Cutest Cheering Squad: All the Kids
Milan and Sasha, Shakira’s sons, wearing silver dinner coats that match! Adeya, the daughter of Kehlani, wearing a baby black tie! Once again, Blue Ivy seems to be Mom’s boss! Genesis, Alicia Keys’ son, led the cheers when she accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award! The Grammys were a very cute evening.
Most Art: Jaden and Willow Smith
Jaden and Willow, tonight’s two-time nominee, made sure their father Will Smith didn’t draw too much attention by wearing a big house-shaped hat (him) and a grill that was giving them “spinach in my teeth” (her) on the day he was making his comeback to the red carpet. Later, they will undoubtedly explain the thesis to us.
Most Elegant Oops: Sabrina Carpenter’s Flasking for It
We presume that she is sipping the espresso martini from her flask, which is exquisitely adorned to match her second evening attire. You might as well take a swig in style if you’re going to be caught.
Nailed It: Cardi B, Cynthia Erivo and Doechii
Every time these celebrities take the stage, they make a statement, but from the moment they stepped onto the red carpet, Cardi B, Cynthia Erivo, and Doechii were making a big impression with their creative manicures.
Oops … and Ouch: Beyoncé’s Underwire Malfunction
Not that anything could detract from Bey’s brilliance during her major victory, but the way her fitting golden gown’s underwire seemed to scrape into her décolletage made women everywhere wince. How dare her clothes turn against her in that way, on the one hand? Conversely, social media users appeared to value a relatable queen.
Worst Naked Play for Attention: Kanye West and Bianca Censori
Just by making his first appearance on the Grammys red carpet in a decade, Kanye West was already going to be the center of attention. However, a slew of contentious remarks caused him to lose favor with the entertainment business. Did it take a spectacular coat drop for his wife to show that, surprise!, she was entirely nude except for a transparent slip dress? It was meant to shock, but most people just sighed and rolled their eyes.
Worst Night for Drake (Until Next Week): Kendrick Lamar’s Win
As he ascended the stage for record of the year, Kendrick Lamar seemed to have won their huge 2024 feud with Drake, with some scathing lyrics from his diss hit about his musical rival, “Not Like Us,” playing. Along with a number of other victories earlier in the evening, he won song of the year for the same tune. Call us crazy, but is it possible that the rapper was making fun of Drake with his double-denim outfit, which included a Canadian tuxedo? I hope you’ll see me at the Super Bowl!
Worst Night for Pants
Performers like Doechii and Sabrina Carpenter, who began their songs totally dressed, made rapid changes that demonstrated their continued dedication to leg day, while even celebrities wearing gowns, such as Chrissy Teigen and Jennifer Lopez, had a very pelvic approach to the red carpet.