
Political controversy, heartfelt tributes and extravagant fashion - this is everything we took from last night’s Grammys
The Grammys is undoubtedly one of the biggest nights in music, but last night’s event was perhaps a bigger, more important one than ever. With the devastating news of the death of legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant breaking just hours before the event began, it was the first opportunity the entertainment industry had to come together and mourn. Tributes poured in throughout the evening, and with the event taking place at Staples Center, The LA Lakers stadium (the team Bryant played in all of his 20 NBA seasons), it was even more poignant. Not only this, but the lead up to this year’s Grammys had already sparked major controversy when CEO Deborah Dugan was ousted 10 days before the event took place, which she claims was for outing a “boys club” environment of sexual misconduct and corruption within the Academy. Despite a sad note and watchful eye being cast on the ceremony, it was still a night of spectacular moments. Most notably there were some big wins and even bigger hats. ICYMI: This is everything we learnt from the Grammys 2020 awards.
Despite accusations that this year’s Grammy nominations were sexist and unrepresentative, Billie Eilish’s five wins, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year and Song of the Year, the Academy sent a positive message regarding the future of music. From the awards this year, we can see a young, female future within the industry, a one that champions those that are different and self-starters, like Eilish. Upon her win for Best Song, her brother and collaborator, Finneas O’Connell, held up the trophy to the crowd and said “This is to all the kids who are making music in their bedroom today. You’re going to get one of these.” It was a moment of hope for promising Generation Zers.
Cowboy hats, bellboy hats, bolero hats and hoods - it was headwear galore on this year’s red carpet. But who wore it best? You should know by now that when Billy Porter is involved there’s really no competition. His stylistic extraness took the form of a Baja East jumpsuit, which came with a matching blue sequin hat, designed with silver sequin fringe across the face that slowly drew like curtains to reveal his face. Ideal for those occasions when one is feeling sassy but unsociable.
Controversy at awards season is like novelty socks at Christmas - it’s inevitable even when you don’t want it. Did anyone else notice a lack of Taylor Swift on the red carpet? Rumours in the weeks leading up to the event circulated that Swift may be performing when an unannounced act was noticed as ‘TBC’ on the line-up during rehearsals. Swift made no such performance, however, and didn’t even turn up to the event, in support of Dungan who was placed on forced leave just 10 days before the event was set to take place.
Diplo may have been romancing the rodeo trend a while ago, but it seems it doesn’t end with him. If last night’s red carpet proved anything, aside from Ariana Grande being a real life Disney princess, it’s that western wear has gone beyond Dallas. Lil Nas X sported a head-to-toe cowboy pinker-than-pink ensemble by Versace, with all the bells, belt-buckles and whistles. And let’s not forget OG cowboy Billy Ray Cyrus - who also channelled his inner Butch Cassidy. Sadly we must report that there were no pony props or lassoing, the illusion was purely aesthetic.
What's better than Tyler, the Creator? Like, 60 Tyler, the Creators! Just one of the sensational performances of the evening was from the Best Rap Album winner - who was joined on stage by Boyz II Men, Charlie Wilson and several other versions of himself for a (literally) fiery performance of New Magic Wand. His show was superb, as was his Wes Anderson-inspired bellboy outfit, but we were mostly mesmerised by his signature bowl cut blonde bob wig, which somehow managed to stay firmly on his head the entire performance. Tell us Tyler, what's your secret?
One of the evening’s many moving moments was Demi Lovato’s performance of her new single Anyone, which she wrote just days before she took a near fatal overdose in 2018. Lovato hadn’t made a public performance since the incident until last night, and emotive lyrics such as “I feel stupid when I sing” and “nobody is listening to me” caused tears amongst the audience as well as Lovato herself, who cried almost entirely throughout.
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