Grammys 2026 live chat: Bruno Mars and Sabrina Carpenter deliver explosive opening performances
With the 2026 Grammys officially upon us, read about all of the night’s best and worst moments below in our Grammys live chat between pop music critic Mikael Wood and staff writer August Brown.
5:24 p.m. Kendrick wins best rap album, which you figure he’d have to have won to keep album, record and song of the year in play for “GNX” and “Luther.” — M.W.
This was his to lose, as it always is, but it’s a solid omen for him joining Roberta Flack, U2 and Billie Eilish as artists who’ve won record in consecutive years. — A.B.
Yep. I always enjoy trying to game out what’s gonna happen in the ceremony based on the order of awards. (Tragic for me, I realize.) Given that he also came up big on the pre-show, with wins for rap song and melodic rap performance, this could mean a big night for Kendrick. — M.W.
5:21 p.m. Kendrick looking sharp in that tux (though I did love his all-denim look last year). — M.W.
Noah telling Kendrick “I remembered what you can do to lightskinned dudes from other countries” – Drake is never not catching strays at the Grammys. – A.B.
5:17 p.m. Sabrina Carpenter clearly spent big at the last Spirit Halloween to stay open in Los Angeles for this lavish performance of “Manchild.” Among her many dancers, I spy a nurse, an astronaut, a UPS delivery guy — even a dude in a pith helmet. — M.W.
International travel for a very extended period of time on Sabrina Carpenter Airlines- feeling pretty glamorous and aspirational these days! – AB
5:15 p.m. “Nicki Minaj is not here, she is still at the White House with Donald Trump,” probably a massive relief to everyone on the floor tonight that Barbz aren’t here emboldened with federal police powers. Yet. —A.B.
5:13 p.m. Asking Jelly Roll to unlock Teddy Swims’ phone with his face is a good bit. — M.W.
5:12 p.m. Honestly going to miss Trevor Noah when he moves on from this hosting gig, he’s been great and seems like a sincere fan of the whole shebang with just enough vim and vinegar to keep it lively. —A.B.
5:09 p.m. Trevor Noah as he strolls through the audience chatting up various musicians: “I feel like I’m in Jeff Bezos’ wedding but with way more Black people.” — M.W.
5:03 p.m. Speaking of Bruno and Rosé, here they are opening the show with “Apt.” at what feels like double speed. This song has never reminded me of No Doubt before now, but this rendition feels very “Tragic Kingdom” coded to me. — M.W.
4:45 p.m. Let me tell you, I earned like 10 years of cool-uncle-August credibility with my friend’s five-year-old after I sent over a video clip of the Huntr/x singers performing at the UMG gala yesterday. I’m keeping an eye out on a macro level to see if Kendrick Lamar or Bad Bunny – two of the most politically and creatively salient artists working today for a variety of reasons – are able to finally take home the capstone album prize when each have been deservedly circling it for some time. Artists and voters feel some urgency to make this a statement award. But for Record and Song, don’t count out Grammy bestie Bruno Mars and Blackpink’s Rosé sneaking in for some hardware either. — A.B.
4:45 p.m. August, my friend, we’re going up, up, up — it’s our moment (which is to say another opportunity to liveblog another Grammys ceremony). So glad to be with you tonight as the action unfolds at Crypto.com Arena. Will “Golden” become the first K-pop tune to win song of the year? Will Lady Gaga finally win a top Grammy with “Abracadabra” or “Mayhem”? Will Bad Bunny take it all en route to next weekend’s Super Bowl halftime performance? These are just a few of the evening’s many burning questions. —M.W.
