Grammy Awards 2026 viral moments from shirtless Justin Bieber and Chappell Roan’s WILD nipple-piercing look to Sabrina Carpenter backlash

From record-breaking wins to unexpected controversies, the 2026 Grammy Awards delivered no shortage of jaw-dropping moments.

Kendrick Lamar quietly rewrote music history, surpassing Jay-Z’s long-standing Grammy record during the ceremony’s early hours.

Sabrina Carpenter found herself at the center of backlash after bringing a live dove onstage, drawing sharp criticism from animal rights activists.

Meanwhile, Reba McEntire finally made her long-awaited Grammys performance debut more than four decades into her career, anchoring the emotional In Memoriam segment.

The night also produced major surprises, including Lola Young’s shock Best Pop Solo Performance win, complete with an uncensored expletive, and Olivia Dean’s powerful Best New Artist speech honoring immigrants.

Even technical hiccups couldn’t derail the show, with Alex Warren pushing through sound issues during the Best New Artist medley to finish like a pro.

Here’s a breakdown of the Grammys moments everyone is still talking about.

From record-breaking wins to unexpected controversies, the 2026 GrammyAwards delivered no shortage of jaw-dropping moments

Justin Bieber strips down for a shirtless Grammy comeback

Justin Bieber left viewers baffled and buzzing after returning to the Grammys stage for the first time in four years, without a shirtless.

The 31-year-old performed wearing only gym shorts and socks, delivering a stripped-back version of Yukon while looping guitar and drum samples.

The emotional track, which Bieber has said was written about his wife, felt intensely personal.

Cameras repeatedly cut to Hailey Bieber in the audience, smiling and cheering him on throughout the performance.

Justin Bieber left viewers baffled and buzzing after returning to the Grammys stage for the first time in four years, without a shirtless

Bad Bunny uses Grammy speech to deliver anti-ICE message

Bad Bunny turned his acceptance speech into a pointed political moment.

After winning Best Música Urbana Album, he opened by declaring, ‘Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out!’

The statement was met with loud cheers inside Crypto.com Arena as Bad Bunny continued urged viewers to choose compassion over hate.

‘The only thing more powerful than hate is love,’ he reminded fans.

Bad Bunny turned his acceptance speech into a pointed political moment

Sabrina Carpenter draws PETA backlash over live dove on Grammys stage

Sabrina Carpenter sparked backlash from animal rights activists after incorporating a live bird into her 2026 Grammy Awards performance.

Following the 26-year-old’s appearance onstage, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a sharply worded statement condemning the moment.

‘Did Sabrina Carpenter really just bring a bird on stage in 2026?! The Manchild singer is giving childlike behavior. Leave animals out of the #GRAMMYs,’ the organization wrote on social media, alongside an image of Carpenter holding a white dove during her performance.

‘Hey Sabrina. Bringing a live bird onto the Grammys stage is stupid, slow, useless, and cruel,’ PETA added in text over the photo, referencing lyrics from Carpenter’s music.

The group went on to warn that, ‘Bright lights, loud noise, and handling cause fear and distress for a bird who belongs flying free in the open sky.’

Sabrina Carpenter sparked backlash from animal rights activists after incorporating a live bird into her 2026 Grammy Awards performance

Chappell Roan bares it all in sheer nipple-piercing red carpet look

Roan also went viral before the show even began.

The 27-year-old hit the red carpet in a sheer burgundy mesh gown that left little to the imagination, exposing her nipple piercings beneath the fabric.

Though she initially covered herself with a shawl, she later removed it while posing for photographers.

The look was completed with black thong underwear, a gold choker and strappy heels.

Chappell Roan went viral before the show even began in a sheer nipple-piercing red carpet look

Cher sends Grammys into chaos by naming the wrong winner

Cher delivered one of the most chaotic moments of the night while presenting Record of the Year.

After fumbling with the envelope and joking about the teleprompter, the 79-year-old accidentally announced ‘Luther Vandross’ – who passed away in 2005 – as the winner.

The award was actually meant for Kendrick Lamar and SZA for Luther.

Cher quickly realized her mistake, laughing as Lamar took the stage while fans erupted online.

Cher delivered one of the most chaotic moments of the night while presenting Record of the Year

Lady Gaga thanks partner Michael Polansky on stage

Lady Gaga used her Best Pop Vocal Album speech to thank her longtime partner Michael Polansky.

She praised his unwavering support and collaboration on the record, calling him her constant presence throughout the creative process.

Lady Gaga used her Best Pop Vocal Album speech to thank her longtime partner Michael Polansky

She praised his unwavering support and collaboration on the record, calling him her constant presence throughout the creative process

Post Malone leads emotional Ozzy Osbourne tribute

Post Malone fronted an all-star tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne during the In Memoriam segment.

Joined by Slash, Chad Smith and Duff McKagan, Malone performed War Pigs as Osbourne’s family watched tearfully from the crowd.

Osbourne died in July 2025 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Post Malone fronted an all-star tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne during the In Memoriam segment

Trevor Noah torches Nicki Minaj, Trump, Diddy and Jeff Bezos

Host Trevor Noah wasted no time stirring controversy during his explosive opening monologue.

He roasted Nicki Minaj for her support of Donald Trump, joked about America’s chaotic news cycle, and took jabs at Jeff Bezos and disgraced mogul Sean Combs.

Noah first called out Minaj’s noticeable absence at the ceremony after praising several of the big name stars in attendance.

‘Nicki Minaj is not here,’ he said, before sarcastically adding, ‘She is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues.’

Noah then launched into a Trump impersonation as he made a racy joke about the President’s backside.

‘”You know what, Nicki, I have the biggest a**. I have it. Everybody’s saying it, Nicki. I know they say it’s you but it’s me. Wap, wap, wap! Look at it, baby!”‘

The bit earned roaring laughs from the jam-packed arena, as well as some groans as celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, a known Trump critic, nervously looked on from their seats.

Host Trevor Noah wasted no time stirring controversy during his explosive opening monologue

Kendrick Lamar surpasses Jay-Z’s Grammy record

Kendrick Lamar made Grammy history on Sunday night, overtaking Jay-Z to become one of the most awarded artists of all time.

The luther rapper entered the 2026 Grammy Awards with 24 wins and walked away with 27 total trophies, eclipsing Jay-Z’s long-standing record of 25.

Lamar quietly stacked three more wins during the non-televised Grammy premiere ceremony. He claimed Best Rap Performance for Chains & Whips, on which he appears as a featured artist, Best Melodic Rap Performance for luther with SZA, and Best Rap Song for tv off.

Kendrick Lamar made Grammy history on Sunday night, overtaking Jay-Z to become one of the most awarded artists of all time

Stars wear anti-ICE pins on the red carpet

Politics were also front and center on the fashion front.

Stars including Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kehlani, Jason Isbell and Justin Vernon wore ‘ICE OUT’ pins.

Joni Mitchell added her pin onstage after winning Best Historical Album.

Politics were also front and center on the fashion front, with stars including Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kehlani, Jason Isbell and Justin Vernon wore ‘ICE OUT’ pins

Billie Eilish declares ‘no one is illegal on stolen land’

Billie Eilish delivered one of the night’s most emotional and explicit political statements.

Accepting Song of the Year for WILDFLOWER alongside brother FINNEAS, she told the audience, ‘No one is illegal on stolen land.’

As she exited the stage, Eilish yelled a profane anti-ICE remark that was bleeped by network censors.

Billie Eilish delivered one of the night’s most emotional and explicit political statements as she accepted Song of the Year for WILDFLOWER

Reba McEntire makes long-awaited Grammys performance debut

Despite a decades-long career and three Grammy wins, Reba McEntire had never performed at the awards show, until this year.

The country legend finally made her Grammys stage debut during the ceremony’s emotional ‘In Memoriam’ segment, joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson.

Accompanied by gentle cello and violin, the trio delivered a poignant performance of McEntire’s song Trailblazer, which she released with Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson in May 2025.

Despite a decades-long career and three Grammy wins, Reba McEntire had never performed at the awards show, until this year

Chappell Roan struggles to read the teleprompter – again

Chappell Roan found herself in an all-too-familiar predicament while presenting Best New Artist at the Grammys.

As she prepared to announce Olivia Dean as the winner, the Hot To Go! singer paused, squinted and appeared to struggle reading the teleprompter.

The moment echoed her viral stumble while inducting Cyndi Lauper into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last November.

This time, however, Roan managed to escape without dropping an F-bomb.

Chappell Roan found herself in an all-too-familiar predicament while presenting Best New Artist at the Grammys

Lola Young scores surprise Best Pop Solo Performance win

Lola Young pulled off one of the night’s biggest upsets, taking home Best Pop Solo Performance for her breakout hit Messy.

The star entered the category as a first-time nominee, facing stiff competition, and emerged with her first Grammy win.

Caught off guard by the result, the singer candidly admitted she hadn’t prepared a speech. An excited F-bomb slipped through the CBS censors on YouTube TV as she accepted the award.

‘Sorry, sorry, sorry! It’s messy, you know what I mean?’ Young said, briefly freezing before apologizing repeatedly. While the broadcast initially bleeped part of her acceptance, a later expletive went uncensored.

Lola Young pulled off one of the night’s biggest upsets, taking home Best Pop Solo Performance for her breakout hit Messy

Olivia Dean wins Best New Artist and honors her roots

Olivia Dean claimed the coveted Best New Artist award, triumphing over a competitive field that included Warren, Katseye, Lola Young and Sombr.

Accepting the honor onstage from last year’s winner Chappell Roan, the 26-year-old used the moment to spotlight her family history and immigrants more broadly.

‘I’m up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant,’ Dean said. ‘I’m a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.’

Olivia Dean claimed the coveted Best New Artist award, triumphing over a competitive field that included Warren, Katseye, Lola Young and Sombr

Alex Warren powers through horrendous technical issues

Alex Warren’s performance in the Best New Artist medley hit a snag when a sound malfunction disrupted his set.

While performing Ordinary, the 25-year-old struggled to stay on tempo as his vocals were occasionally drowned out by the instrumentation.

Warren also appeared to be dealing with an in-ear monitor issue, which may have contributed to the technical difficulties.

Still, he remained composed and finished the performance professionally, pushing through the setback without missing a beat.

Alex Warren’s performance in the Best New Artist medley hit a snag when a sound malfunction disrupted his set