The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles witnessed a performance from social media star turned singer Addison Rae that quickly became the subject of intense online scrutiny and criticism. The 25-year-old artist, nominated for the prestigious Best New Artist award, took to the stage to perform her hit single Fame is a Gun, but the reception from viewers was overwhelmingly negative.
A Performance Met with Immediate Derision
Rae's act involved a dramatic entrance on the back of a truck, clad in a vibrant purple coat. She then proceeded to strip down to a sparkling bra and mini skirt, engaging in a provocative dance routine that included seductively straddling one of her backing dancers. Despite the visual spectacle, the focus for many watching swiftly shifted to the authenticity of her vocal delivery.
Social Media Erupts with Accusations and Insults
Platform X, formerly known as Twitter, became a hub for real-time criticism following the performance. Fans and viewers did not hold back in their assessments, with a common thread being the accusation that Rae was not singing live.
- One user questioned, 'Addison Rae, what was that girl?', capturing a sentiment of bewildered disappointment.
- Another stated bluntly, 'Addison Rae lip-syncing her Grammy performance,' while a more scathing comment declared, 'Addison Rae lip-syncing is all the more reason this talentless ditsy hack shouldn't be nominated for a Grammy.'
- The criticism extended to her overall execution, with tweets reading 'Wow Addison Rae is awful holy f**k' and 'My god Addison Rae is so bad.'
- Further comments included 'Addison Rae looking a mess at the Grammys' and a skeptical, 'I mean you don’t need to try and fake the funk by putting a mic on Addison Rae. We know the s**t ain’t on.'
- The core doubt was summarised by a fan simply wondering, 'Is Addison Rae singing live?'
This online roasting contrasted sharply with the high hopes for Rae, who ultimately lost the Best New Artist category to fellow nominee Olivia Dean.
Red Carpet Fashion Moment Overshadowed
Prior to the controversial performance, Rae had made a striking impression on the red carpet. She wore a daring, plunging white sculptural gown that featured a deep U-shaped cutout extending to her navel. The dress boasted a dramatic skirt with cascading ruffles and an asymmetrical back that was cut extremely short.
In a moment that evoked comparisons to Marilyn Monroe, Rae daringly bent over on the carpet, exposing her derriere and ensuring all eyes were on her avant-garde fashion choice. She completed the look minimally with a pair of white heels, letting the gown itself command attention.
The Broader Grammy 2026 Context
The 66th Grammy Awards were held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 1st, celebrating the past year's musical achievements. The ceremony was hosted for the fourth consecutive time by comedian Trevor Noah and featured a lineup of performances from major stars including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and Bruno Mars.
In the competitive categories, artists like Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Sabrina Carpenter were vying for the coveted Album of the Year award. The Song of the Year nominations included contemporary hits such as Doechii's Anxiety and Billie Eilish's Wildflower. Despite the glittering array of talent on display, it was Addison Rae's divisive stage act that generated significant immediate discourse, highlighting the intense scrutiny and high expectations faced by performers on music's biggest night.
