What do you get when you put the biggest names in music in one arena? Powerhouse performances, whispers between friends, skin-baring fashion and — of course — Taylor Swift dancing in the audience throughout it all.
This year’s 2025 Grammys brought out all the greatest hits and more. It also brought out some viral moments that we’ll be talking about for years to come — and some that were so cringe we hope to soon forget them.
From the jaw-dropping jewels (complimentary) to the jaw-dropping outfits (derogatory), plus showstopping performances from Chappell Roan, Doechii and more, incredible reactions from Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter and what may have been Drake’s worst night ever, the 2025 Grammy Awards gave us plenty to discuss.
Read on for all the can’t miss highs, lows and “well, that happened” from the 2025 Grammys.
Best Reaction: Beyoncé’s Country Win
We may have been screaming at home when Beyoncé won best country album for Cowboy Carter, but in the room, Beyoncé herself was frozen. It wasn’t until she’d given us an incredible new meme — and had been nudged by daughter Blue Ivy – that she approached the stage to accept the award.
Best Creative Use of Carats: Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter’s baby blue halter gown seemed like standard fare for the retro-chic style she prefers … but then she turned around to reveal that the halter was held up by about a gazillion carats of Chopard diamonds, including a sautoir necklace attached to a 50-carat Chopard diamond pendant.
Best Mama’s Girl: Doechii
While accepting her award for best rap album — as only the third woman to win the honor — Doechii thanked God and her mom, Celesia Moore, whom she’d brought up on stage to share the moment with her. Her mom gazed on with pride as Doechii delivered a powerful message.
“I know that there is some Black girl out there — so many Black women out there that are watching me right now. And I want to tell you, you can do it. Anything is possible. Anything is possible,” she said. “Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are and I am a testimony.”
Best Reason to Flip Out: The Best New Artist Medley
Benson Boone kicked off a series of riveting performances from some of his fellow Best New Artist nominees with a quick-change moment (courtesy of Heidi Klum and Nikki Glaser ripping off his suit to reveal a jumpsuit underneath) and a piano-assisted flip onto the stage.
He was immediately followed up with a mesmerizing, perfectly in-step Doechii performance of “Catfish” (which also included an outfit getting ripped off), an emotional Teddy Swims rendition of “Lose Control,” a charismatic line dance from Shaboozey and his back-up dancers to “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and finally, Raye’s powerful, gravity-defying “Oscar Winning Tears.” We wanted them all to win, Mean Girls-style.
Oops … and Ouch: Beyoncé’s Underwire Malfunction
Not that anything could take away from Bey’s shine during her big win, but women everywhere shared a sympathy cringe to see what appeared to be the underwire from her fitted golden gown digging into her décolletage. On one hand, how dare her dress turn on her like that?! On the other hand, people on social media seemed to appreciate a relatable queen.
Best Reason to Tune In: Every Performance!
If you’d told us a year ago we would not just be happily be watching a bunch of clowns dancing at the Grammys, but we’d be singing along from our living rooms, we wouldn’t have believed you. Such is the power of Chappell Roan. But she was just one of many killer live music moments from the night; Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, The Weeknd, Shakira and Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars all had incredible performances we’ll be watching again and again.
Best Use of Ad Time: Supporting L.A. Heroes and Victims
With millions of people watching, the Grammys encouraged viewers to donate to Grammy.com/FireRelief, and used valuable ad time during the show to promote local businesses affected by the fires (sending musicians to film spots with them, as Doja Cat did with Orla Floral Studio, above) and to showcase the hard work of the firefighters and the devastation faced by the survivors of the fire who lost everything. Host Trevor Noah said during the broadcast that they’d raised $7 million so far.
(Other small businesses and initiatives shouted out throughout the broadcast: Paliskates, Rhythms of the Village, Lost Stuffy Project.)
Worst Night for Pants
Even stars in gowns (including Jennifer Lopez and Chrissy Teigen) took a very pelvic approach to the red carpet — and performers such as Doechii and Sabrina Carpenter, who started their songs fully clad, went for quick changes that revealed their ongoing commitment to leg day.
Best: The Decades-Spanning Tribute to Quincy Jones
How to sum up the life and career of a genius whose work included jazz, classical, pop, R&B, film soundtracks and also just bringing people together from all over the industry? The Grammys took that challenge on by having his mentee Will Smith introduce a range of performances that included Cynthia Erivo performing his arrangement of “Fly Me to the Moon” for Frank Sinatra, Lainey Wilson singing “Let the Good Times Roll” with Jacob Collier on piano, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock taking on “Bluesette” and “We Are the World” (along with a chorus of kids from fire-impacted high schools in L.A.) and a rousing tribute to Jones’ producing work for Michael Jackson from Janelle Monae, singing “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.” It was a fitting tribute to a true one-of-one icon.
Most Art: Jaden and Willow Smith
On a day when their dad Will Smith was returning to the red carpet, his kids Jaden and WIllow (a two-time nominee tonight) made sure he didn’t pull too much focus by donning a large house-shaped hat (him) and a grill that was giving “spinach in my teeth” (her). We’re sure they’ll explain the thesis to us later.
Nailed It: Cardi B, Cynthia Erivo and Doechii
These stars make a statement anytime they step onto a stage, but Cardi B, Cynthia Erivo and Doechii were coming through loud and clear with their artistic manicures from the moment they walked onto the red carpet.
Most Elegant Oops: Sabrina Carpenter’s Flasking for It
We assume she’s drinking that espresso martini from her flask, perfectly bejeweled to match her second gown of the evening. If you’re going to get caught taking a swig, might as well do it in style.
Best Brat for a Good Cause: Charli XCX’s Performance
Charli XCX ended the night with a pumped-up, joyfully chaotic “Von Dutch” and “Guess” medley that featured celebrity cameos and 10,000 pieces of Victoria’s Secret and PINK bras and underwear raining from the sky. The company said they would all be donated to I Support the Girls (which provides essential items such as undergarments to people in need) after the performance.
Best Beyonc-yay: An Overdue Album of the Year Win
People have been agitating for Beyoncé to take home Album of the Year for quite some time now (anyone remember Adele dedicating her win in 2017 to Bey?), so the crowd was thrilled to celebrate her win for Cowboy Carter. Accompanied by Blue Ivy onstage, Beyoncé thanked the firefighters who presented her with the award, and said “I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years. Just want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, all of the hard work.”
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