The Grammys this year took an unexpectedly political turn, with both celebrities and fans making statements against the current administration’s actions. Many who attended the event wore “ICE Out” pins as a subtle way to express sympathy for the cause. Some celebrities were more bold, directly addressing political issues in speeches that earned both admiration and strong criticism.
After accepting her 10th Grammy, Billie Eilish gave a speech tearing into the current immigration crackdown. She reminded viewers that “our voices really do matter,” reflective of her decision to turn her acceptance speech into a call for action.
Her remark, “No one is illegal on stolen land” was a remark that also caused controversy. Eric Daugherty and other conservatives brought up Eilish’s 14-million-dollar mansion built on Tongva land, citing this as evidence of hypocrisy. This prompted the Tongva tribes to release a statement clarifying that Eilish’s home is situated on “ancestral land,” and she did not contact their tribe regarding her property. That said, the tribe says they appreciate other sentiments shared in her speech.
Trevor Noah returned to host the Grammys one last time, marking his sixth consecutive time as host. He delivered his typical comedy, referencing current events and making biting remarks towards celebrities and politicians. The fact that this was his final year hosting offered him some leeway; he chose to reference Trump in relation to Epstein and his desire for Greenland.
“I told you, it’s my last year! What are you going to do about it?” said Noah. President Trump did not take kindly to this, and responded on Truth Social threatening a lawsuit. He also described Noah as a “poor, pathetic, talentless dope of an MC.”
Bad Bunny has been the subject of online attacks following the announcement that he will be this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer. Many were upset that he would sing in Spanish during a traditionally patriotic event, prompting the design of an alternative “All-American Halftime Show.”
Nonetheless, Bad Bunny honored his Latin heritage by defending the liberties of those targeted by ICE. Taking a different approach from Eilish and Noah, he chose to highlight the importance of love during times like these.
“The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love,” he said. Additionally, he emphasized the identity of different ethnic groups, stating that they “are humans and we are Americans.”
