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Was Sunday the ideal time for a massive industry award show in Los Angeles? Not necessarily, given the series of wildfires that devastated entire LA neighborhoods were only just contained. That said, the fact that the city is still struggling to rebuild was reflected throughout the 2025 Grammys, with host Trevor Noah and musicians from and associated with LA—including Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars—delivering energetic performances that didn’t feel mournful, so much as like tributes to the resilient spirit of Angelenos. (Chappell Roan’s rendition of her hit song “Pink Pony Club,” with its refrain of “I’m going to keep on dancing,” felt particularly apropos.)
Indeed, there was plenty to love about Sunday night’s Grammys (and, of course, some less-than-perfect moments, but why dwell on those?). Below, find a roundup of everything you missed.
The Grammys’ spotlight on LA’s fire-affected small businesses
I, for one, am always thrilled to see Doja Cat—never more so than when she’s lending her star power to a commercial for a small business impacted by the LA wildfires. The Grammys’ commitment to spotlighting some of the city’s hardest-hit businesses felt like a genuine and tangible measure of support, and it didn’t go unappreciated. (Neither did Charlie Puth’s cameo in an ad for a local martial arts studio, for that matter.)
Sabrina Carpenter’s extremely theater-kid-energy performance
Carpenter has always had a delightfully campy, Broadway-bound energy onstage, but her showgirl-inflected medley of hits like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” cemented her as one of the Grammys’ most spirited and exciting performers in years. (To be clear, I say “theater kid energy” with absolute reverence, as a lifelong musical-lover who was simply too shy to join the drama club in high school. )
Doechii’s win for best rap album
Any artist bringing their family onstage to celebrate a win is a recipe for instant, involuntary tears, but seeing Doechii accept the Grammy for best rap album alongside her mother was particularly heartwarming—as was the Alligator Bites Never Heal rapper and singer’s message to young Black women watching her win. “Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you you can’t be here, or that you’re too dark, or you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic, or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be.” Relatedly: Her performances of “Catfish” and “Denial Is a River” set the audience on its feet.
Benson Boone flipping off the piano (literally)
It is the “Beautiful Things” singer’s signature move, after all, and I kind of love that he didn’t let the fanciness of his surroundings stop him from Simply Being Himself. Sure, king!
Beyoncé’s look of genuine shock upon winning the Grammy for best country album
I feel this way at least once a day pic.twitter.com/BgRVS6u1CW
— Rose Dommu (@rosedommu) February 3, 2025
If I were Queen Bey herself, I would never be remotely surprised when the world recognized my greatness, but the musical icon appeared to be caught off-guard in a very relatable way when she won the best-country-album Grammy for Cowboy Carter. Beyoncé’s win came with historical significance, as well: On Sunday, she became the first Black woman to win a country Grammy in 50 years.
Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, Jacob Collier, Lainey Wilson, Janelle Monae, and more paying tribute to Quincy Jones
A rousing tribute to Jones—the titanic composer, arranger, conductor, and record producer who died in November at 91—gathered an astonishing lineup of performers. After an introduction by Will Smith, who recalled working with Jones as one of the producers of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Cynthia Erivo took the stage to sing “Fly Me to the Moon” with Herbie Hancock; Lainey Wilson performed a cover of “Let the Good Times Roll” alongside Jacob Collier; Stevie Wonder played a gorgeous harmonica interlude before singing “We Are the World” with the choirs from two schools destroyed by the LA fires; and Janelle Monáe closed things out with an energetic cover of “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough” (clad in an I Heart QJ tank, no less).
Charli XCX closing out the Brat chapter of American history with her club-kid crew
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIA FOX!” aren’t necessarily the words one expects a multiply Grammy-awarded singer to announce onstage, but Charli famously rides for her girls—to the point of inviting them all to dance with her onstage on Sunday night. The pop star’s pale blue lingerie set was the perfect look for a performance of “Guess”—although I coulnd’t help feeling disappointed that she didn’t take the opportunity to debut a “brand-new lower back tattoo.”
Beyoncé (finally) winning album of the year—and accepting the award with Blue Ivy by her side
It was wildly exciting to see Beyoncé rewarded for the vision and artistry behind Cowboy Carter—especially when she scooped up album of the year for the first time ever. But to be honest, getting 13-year-old Blue to embrace her publicly without a shred of embarrassment may have been Beyoncé’s real win tonight. (Internationally famous musical icons; they’re just like us! They automatically humiliate their teenaged kids!)
This article was originally published on Vogue.com.
