The 2026 Grammys kicked off with a Bruno Mars and Rosé quantity, a buzzy compilation of performances from Finest New Artist nominees, six-time host Trevor Noah pulling out contemporary zingers, and winners talking out towards ICE.

The energizing ceremony wasn't with out a few awkward mishaps, although. Take a look at the very best and worst moments from music's largest night time, under.

01 of 09

BEST: The Finest New Artist medley

In the event you weren’t up in your toes grooving alongside to the near-perfect Finest New Artist medley, have been you even watching the Grammys?! All the class of nominees understood the task, performing their breakout hit songs like seasoned veterans. Starting with Addison Rae backstage, the medley then easily transitioned into onstage performances from Katseye, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Younger (in her triumphant return after a hiatus as a result of her well being), Olivia Dean (who went on to win the award minutes later), and Sombr, with the Marias singing earlier than host Trevor Noah launched the section. The one hiccup was Warren having some issues along with his in-ear piece and struggling to remain on beat for a couple of seconds throughout "Abnormal," however he obtained again in sync earlier than ascending over the gang on a rising platform. —Sydney Bucksbaum

02 of 09

BEST: Travor Noah as a 6-time host

It's apparent why this was Trevor Noah’s sixth time because the Grammys host — he will get that music is extra than simply leisure, it’s about tradition and group. Whereas some comedians give attention to the jokes, Noah handled his monologue as a second to remind followers concerning the individuals behind the headlines. He's a fan geeking out about Queen Latifah (as everybody ought to in entrance of royalty), and he's a comic calling out Nicki Minaj's abrupt heel flip to MAGA Barbie. He additionally is aware of not to wear down his welcome, which is why this was his final time internet hosting. (He respects time period limits!) —Mekishana Pierre

03 of 09

WORST: Chappell Roan struggling to learn the teleprompter

Chappell Roan struggled to learn one other teleprompter from an enormous ceremony stage on the Grammys. Whereas gearing as much as announce Olivia Dean's identify as 2026's Finest New Artist, the "Sizzling to Go" singer repeated the flub she made whereas inducting Cyndi Lauper into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame in November by taking an extended pause, narrowing her eyes, and showing to wrestle to discern the subsequent phrases. No less than she didn't drop one other F-bomb! —Ryan Coleman

04 of 09

BEST: Justin Bieber's bare reality

Justin Bieber gave new that means to the time period "stripped down" in his triumphant return to the Grammys stage. In his first look on the ceremony since 2022, he shocked viewers with a uncooked, susceptible, and altogether attractive efficiency of "Yukon." And he did it in solely his boxers and socks, proving that this man doesn't want a lot to ship highly effective artwork. Give him a guitar, loop pedal, and a microphone, and the 31-year-old will present you precisely why he's been a famous person for greater than half his life. Now we're much more excited for his headlining Coachella set this April… carry on #Bieberchella! —S.B.

05 of 09

WORST: Jelly Roll takes us to church

Often, seeing a winner deeply categorical their gratitude falls below a "finest" second, however Jelly Roll's acceptance speech for Finest Modern Nation Album shortly become a church sermon. Loudly, virtually furiously declaring "Jesus is for everybody" with a Bible in hand, his blissful second turned oddly preachy. —Tiffany Kelly

06 of 09

BEST: Regina King's shock cameo

Seeing Regina King anyplace is all the time a pleasure, however it's particularly a pleasure when the Oscar winner makes a shock cameo the place we least anticipate it! And Regina didn’t simply present up in the midst of Tyler, the Creator's efficiency of "Thought I Was Lifeless/Sugar on My Tongue" — she used that iconic star energy to up the ante of the entire cinematic expertise. Any fan would agree that seeing King — whose saved a low profile since her son's dying in 2022 — have some enjoyable is a welcome deal with. —M.P.

07 of 09

WORST: Cher deserves higher

If Trevor Noah hadn't introduced it earlier in the course of the ceremony, you by no means would have guessed that Cher was giving an acceptance speech for the receiving the night time's Lifetime Achievement Award. Often, the acceptance for such an honor is grandiose, poignant, and revered — not tacked on on the finish because the present raced towards clock. Possibly the rushed ingredient of Cher's total section was as a result of her apparent reluctance to play into the entire second, however a music legend like Cher deserved greater than a clumsy handoff earlier than she was thwarted whereas attempting to make her escape from the Grammys stage and was dragged again to learn the nominees for Document of the Yr. —M.P.

08 of 09

BEST: Lauryn Hill's In Memoriam tribute to Roberta Flack, D'Angelo, and extra

Lauryn Hill returned to the Grammys stage for the primary time in 27 years, and she or he made certain it was unforgettable. The singer paid tribute to a number of performers in the course of the ceremony's In Memoriam, however significantly to late singers Roberta Flack and D'Angelo, the latter of whom Hill personally collaborated with years in the past. Hill was joined by the likes of Fortunate Daye, Jon Batiste, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Leon Thomas, Raphael Saadiq, and Wyclef Jean to carry out a elegant medley of a few of D'Angelo and Flack's largest hits, delivering the night time's finest musical quantity. It was a surprising tribute from greats to honor the greats. —M.P.

09 of 09

WORST: The extraordinarily lengthy In Memoriam tribute

On the flip aspect, whereas the Grammys In Memoriam is, in fact, a particularly necessary section to honor all of the music trade legends who died over the previous 12 months, the prolonged size of tributes on this 12 months's awards present was simply excessive. Don't get us unsuitable, the performances have been highly effective. Reba McEntire kicked it off with Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson for "Trailblazer," earlier than Put up Malone, Slash, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith, and Andrew Watt rocked Ozzy Osbourne's "Warfare Pigs." Then, as beforehand famous, Lauryn Hill hosted a star-powered Fugees reunion medley with Wyclef Jean (together with Fortunate Daye, Raphael Saadiq, Anthony Hamilton, Jon Batiste, Leon Thomas, John Legend, Chaka Khan, Leon Bridge, Alexia Jayy, Lalah Hathaway, and October London) to honor Roberta Flack and D'Angelo. However this went on for over 20 minutes! Simply consider all that broadcast actual property that might have gone to performances from this 12 months's nominees if the tributes have been condensed into one medley as an alternative of three separate (and really lengthy) numbers. —S.B.

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