By Penny Theodorakopoulou,
The Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles hosted the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, and it was a memorable evening filled with fashion, music, and historic happenings. For the fifth year in a row, Trevor Noah hosted the event, which honored the greatest in music while giving musicians a stage on which to make impactful remarks on social issues and business difficulties.
The Red Carpet: A mix of glamor and the unexpected
All eyes were on the red carpet before the awards were even presented. As usual, the Grammy Awards served as a platform for daring dress choices, ranging from the incredibly sophisticated to the downright strange.
One of the biggest winners of the evening, Beyoncé, showed up wearing a glittering silver gown that radiated classic glamour. As a tribute to her re-recording success, Taylor Swift, who is renowned for her flawless red carpet looks, chose a chic black and gold outfit. Fresh off her first Grammy victories, Sabrina Carpenter, on the other hand, wore a whimsical pastel dress that wonderfully reflected her vivacious pop style.
But Bianca Censori’s attire —or rather, her lack thereof— was one of the night’s most talked-about appearances. The socialite and model, who is well-known for her bold fashion choices, caused a stir on social media when she showed up wearing an outfit that left little room for interpretation. Some questioned whether the Grammys were the appropriate stage for such a daring declaration, while others applauded her brave approach to fashion.
The winners: Celebrating excellence in music
After the fashion craze subsided, attention turned to the prizes, and the evening was fantastic. The main victors and their standout acceptance speeches are broken down below.
- Album of the Year: Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter
When Beyoncé won the coveted Album of the Year title for Cowboy Carter, she once again made history. With her daughter Blue Ivy by her side, she delivered an emotional message: “I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years, and I want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, all the hard work.”
- Record of the Year: Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar highlighted the ongoing influence of rap music in his stirring acceptance speech after winning big with Not Like Us: “At the end of the day, [there is] nothing more powerful than rap music. I don’t care what it is. We are the culture. It’s going to always stay here forever.”
- Song of the Year: Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick thanked his crew and collaborators for their commitment and support as he continued his successful night by taking home Song of the Year for Not Like Us.
- Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
The Best New Artist honor went to Chappell Roan, one of the most promising up-and-coming voices in the business. She advocated for fairer treatment of up-and-coming artists in her victory speech: “Record labels need to do better — fair pay, healthcare, and genuine support. We deserve that.”
- Best Pop Vocal Album: Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
When Sabrina Carpenter accepted her Grammy, she was clearly taken aback by her catchy pop sound: “I truly did not expect this. Thank you to everyone who believed in me and supported this journey. This is for all the dreamers out there.”
- Best Pop Solo Performance: Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
Carpenter added to her success by winning Best Pop Solo Performance, which she dedicated to her fans: “This one’s for you. Your unwavering support means the world to me.”
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Die with a Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
After receiving this honor, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars gave a moving speech in which Gaga pushed for the rights of transgender people: “Trans people are not invisible, and they deserve love and recognition.” Bruno Mars added, “Music unites us all, and we must continue to stand together against injustice.”
- Best Dance/Electronic Album: Brat – Charli XCX
Charli XCX encouraged artists to explore boundaries while celebrating the power of dance music: “Stay true to yourself, and the world will dance with you.”
- Best Rap Album: Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
Doechii, the third female winner of Best Rap Album, gave a motivational message about representation and resiliency: “This is for all the young women who dream of making it in this industry — never stop fighting for your place.”
- Best Country Album: Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
As the first Black performer to win Best Country Album, Beyoncé once again created history. She dedicated the honor to Linda Martell, a pioneer in country music: “We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and I hope this opens more doors for future artists.”
- Best Country Duo/Group Performance: II Most Wanted – Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus
To celebrate their victory, Miley Cyrus went on stage with Beyoncé and said, “This collaboration shows that music knows no boundaries.”
- Best Latin Pop Album: El Dorado – Shakira
Shakira used her statement to promote immigration rights after winning the Best Latin Pop Album award: “This is for all the immigrants. You are valuable, and I will continue to fight for you.”
- Best R&B Song: Saturn – SZA
During her speech, SZA shared her experience at a quiet retreat in India and reflected on her own spiritual development: “In a world full of chaos, finding solitude and spreading inner peace is essential.”
Unforgettable moments beyond the Awards
Beyond the speeches and winners, there were several noteworthy occurrences throughout the evening. In response to right-wing criticism of diversity, Alicia Keys, who received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, stating, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not a threat; they are a gift.”
Chappell Roan’s performance of her classic song Pink Pony Club, complete with dancing rodeo clowns, was one of the evening’s more exciting shows. Even the actor who played Cameron Tucker/Fizbo in Modern Family, Eric Stonestreet, made a joke on Instagram that his character was happy with the performance.
The 2025 Grammy Awards turned out to be a celebration of skill, tenacity, and advancement. With its historic victories, daring dress choices, and potent political declarations, the event encapsulated the essence of music as a transformative force. However (and that it a big one), one of the night’s most talked-about reactions was Billie Eilish’s obvious disappointment at Beyoncé’s Album of the Year award, which rekindled discussions about industry favoritism.
Though several pointed out the conspicuous lack of any debate on P. Diddy, whose legal issues have been a huge topic in the business, the awards ceremony itself was cautious not to veer too far into controversy despite the myriad political themes that were conveyed throughout the evening. One thing is certain despite industry’s ongoing change: the Grammy Awards will always be a night where voices are heard, and legends are created.
References
- Grammy Nominations: Beyoncé Leads Field With 11 Including Album, Song & Record Of The Year Along With Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter & Billie Eilish – Full List. deadline. Available here
- Who won Grammys for 2025? See the list of winners here. cbs news. Available here
- See Every Look from the 2025 Grammys Red Carpet. vogue. Available here
- The Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Moments of the 2025 Grammys. time. Available here
- Everything that happened at the 2025 Grammy Awards. la times. Available here
