The music industry's elite converged at Los Angeles's Crypto.com Arena for the 68th annual Grammy Awards, a glittering ceremony that celebrated the finest achievements of 2025. While the televised broadcast on CBS captured the official honours, it was the unscripted moments during commercial breaks that truly defined the evening's magic.
Major Winners and Political Statements
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny emerged as the night's biggest victor, securing the coveted Album of the Year award for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. His emotional acceptance speech carried a powerful political message, dedicating the honour to immigrants and declaring "ICE Out" in protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This sentiment echoed throughout the evening, with Billie Eilish using her Song of the Year win for WILDFLOWER to assert that "no one is illegal on stolen land," and Best New Artist Olivia Dean honouring her immigrant grandmother.
Other significant winners included Kendrick Lamar, who took home Record of the Year for luther featuring SZA, and Lady Gaga, who claimed Best Pop Vocal Album for MAYHEM. British newcomer Lola Young delivered a surprise victory in the Best Pop Solo Performance category, while Jelly Roll's boisterous acceptance speech for Best Contemporary Country Album became an instant highlight.
Intimate Off-Camera Interactions
Beyond the podium, the Grammys provided a rare opportunity for artists to connect away from the cameras. Expert lipreader Nicola Hickling revealed to The Daily Mail that Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey were captured on viral footage inviting Bad Bunny for a night out. "We can take you out, if you want," Bieber proposed, with the Puerto Rican hitmaker responding enthusiastically before concluding with a prayer hands gesture and "Okay, I'll let you know."
Star-Studded Reunions and New Connections
Billie Eilish enjoyed a warm reunion with close friend Sabrina Carpenter, sharing an extended gossip session during a lull in proceedings. Carpenter also reconnected with her producer Jack Antonoff, while Eilish made the most of the starry environment by photographing with numerous peers including Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, and even Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.
Emerging artist Chappell Roan experienced a starstruck moment holding hands with her idol Lady Gaga, who later shared a somber moment with the Osbourne family following a tribute to the late metal icon Ozzy Osbourne. Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus sparked collaboration rumours after appearing in a photograph with country winner Jelly Roll.
Veteran Presence and Fashion Moments
Music legend Joni Mitchell, aged 82, looked radiant in glitzy gold as she caught up with Brandi Carlile, while Queen Latifah, Teyana Taylor and Alana Haim formed an impressive girl crew during the show. Kelsea Ballerini provided a charming moment helping fellow country star Lainey Wilson adjust her cowboy hat, bursting into laughter at their table.
A Night of Celebration and Protest
The 2026 Grammys ultimately presented a complex tapestry of artistic celebration and political consciousness. While Bad Bunny's triple win and emotional dedication to immigrants dominated the official narrative, the genuine human connections between artists during untelevised moments revealed the ceremony's true heart. From intimate conversations between idols and proteges to spontaneous invitations for future hangouts, these interactions demonstrated that the Grammys remain as much about community as competition, even as artists use their platform to address pressing social issues.
