Trevor Noah's Final Grammys Hosting: A Mix of Star Roasts and Political Avoidance
Hosting the Grammy Awards for the sixth and final time, Trevor Noah delivered a monologue that poked fun at celebrities while largely steering clear of deep political waters. The comedian, who has announced this as his last stint as Grammys host, roamed the Crypto.com Arena audience, targeting stars with light-hearted jabs but saving his sharpest barbs for an absent figure.
Targeting Minaj's White House Visit
Noah's most pointed joke of the evening was reserved for rapper Nicki Minaj, who was not in attendance. "Nicky Minaj is not here," Noah declared, eliciting significant cheers from the crowd. "She is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues." This reference came after Minaj's recent visit to and praise for the president, marking a continued shift toward MAGA-aligned politics in recent months.
Noah then broke into a Donald Trump impression, quipping, "Actually Nicky, I have the biggest ass, everybody's saying it Nicky." The joke highlighted Minaj's controversial political engagements while keeping the tone comedic rather than confrontational.
Playing It Safe on Politics
In what he described as his final hosting appearance, Noah largely avoided delving into contentious political topics. There was no direct mention of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, despite many attendees wearing "ICE OUT" buttons, nor references to Greenland or the Epstein files. Instead, he condensed much of the political commentary into a single joke about Lauryn Hill's first Grammy performance since 1999.
"Do you understand how long ago that is?" Noah asked the audience. "Back in 1999, the president had had a sex scandal, people thought computers were about to destroy the world, and Diddy was arrested." This allowed him to touch on political themes without engaging deeply with current controversies.
Celebrity Interactions and Light Roasts
Noah's monologue included several playful interactions with attending stars. He approached Teddy Swims and Jelly Roll, both heavily tattooed on their faces, suggesting they try to use face ID to unlock each other's phones. Standing beside Olivia Dean, he praised her for challenging Ticketmaster, which resulted in partial refunds for fans last year after she criticised the ticket resale business as exploitative.
"Because if the fans can't afford tickets, we can't have live music," Noah stated, adding, "and without concerts, how would we find out which CEOs are having affairs on the Jumbotron?" This blend of humour and mild social commentary characterised his approach throughout the evening.
Handling Kendrick Lamar with Care
Later in the show, Noah took a notably gentle approach with Kendrick Lamar, the night's biggest nominee. Instead of roasting him, Noah offered congratulations, acknowledging Lamar's formidable reputation in hip-hop feuds. "I actually thought about writing a few jokes roasting you, but then I remembered what you can do to light-skinned dudes from other countries," Noah said, referencing Lamar's high-profile beef with Canadian rapper Drake that culminated in the Grammy-winning track "Not Like Us."
Noah, who is from South Africa, commented on the intensity of modern rap conflicts, noting, "Hip-hop beef has gone to a new level. Rappers are doing full-on detective work on your life." He added wistfully, "It was so much simpler when all you had to worry about was being shot."
International Moments and Hosting Legacy
In another segment, Noah sat with Bad Bunny, asking if he could relocate to Puerto Rico if conditions in the U.S. deteriorated. Bad Bunny humorously corrected him, saying, "Trevor I have some news for you. Puerto Rico is part of America." This exchange highlighted Noah's international perspective while maintaining a light tone.
The Recording Academy had announced Noah's return less than three weeks prior, billing it as "one final time." During the show, Noah remarked, "I believe in term limits," underscoring his decision to step down. Only singer Andy Williams, who hosted seven times in the 1970s, has hosted the Grammys more frequently than Noah.
Noah himself is a four-time Grammy nominee, including a nomination this year in the best audio book recording category for "Into The Uncut Grass," a children's story. He lost to the Dalai Lama, adding a personal note to his hosting duties.
Overall, Trevor Noah's final Grammys hosting balanced celebrity humour with cautious political commentary, targeting Nicki Minaj's absence while handling Kendrick Lamar with deference, and marking the end of a significant chapter in awards show entertainment.
