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John Legend helped shut down the 2023 Grammy Awards on Sunday night (Feb. 5) as part of DJ Khaled’s all-star “God Did” performance. But when the camera swung to the audience for reaction shots during the epic set, Legend’s wife model Chrissy Teigen was nowhere to be found. The always supportive spouse explained why she skipped the broadcast via a sweet picture with the couple’s newborn daughter, Esti.
“happy grammy day!!!,” she wrote alongside the snap of three-week-old Esti taking a nap on her mom’s chest. “had a dress fitting, looked around and realized… what the hell am I trying to prove here. I cannot get up lol.”
Fair enough.
While she was home chilling with their newborn, Legend joined Jay-Z and Rick Ross on a “Last Supper”-like set to perform the title track from Khaled’s latest album.
Last week, Legend explained the meaning behind the baby’s name, saying it was initially Teigen’s idea, but also has a surprising ties to his family tree. “It turns out, my great-grandmother was named Esther,” he said. “It wasn’t intentionally after someone, but once Chrissy told me that idea, I was like, ‘Oh, my great-grandmother’s name was Esther.’ We wanted to already name her middle name Maxine after my grandmother, whose middle name was Maxine. So, it’s a lot of my family in the name.”
Baby Esti joined older siblings Luna and Miles in January to make the singer and model’s brood a family of five, following the devastating loss of their third baby Jack last year when Teigen was 20 weeks pregnant. Following her birth, both proud parents took to social media to share photos of Esti. “Our new love,” Legend captioned his snap of the baby, while Teigen wrote, “Look at u out here lookin’ like a baby” alongside hers.
Check out Teigen’s post below.
After one of the tightest races in recent Grammys history, it’s official: Harry Styles took home the Grammy Award for album of the year on Sunday night (Feb. 5)!
Presented by Trevor Noah and a superfan who had championed his work throughout the broadcast, Styles, breaking out in tears, couldn’t seem to contain his excitement when he approached the microphone. “S–t,” he said, breaking into a smile.
Styles thanked his fellow nominees in the speech — including Beyoncé, Adele, Brandi Carlile and others — for being a constant source of inspiration for his music. “Man, I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me,” he said. “A lot of different times in my life, I listened to everyone in this category when I’m alone.”
The “As It Was” singer also took a moment to acknowledge his surprise win in a stacked category. “I feel like on nights like tonight, there is no such thing as ‘best in music,’” he said. “I don’t think any of us sit in the studio making decisions based on what’s gonna get us one of these.”
Closing his speech, the star tearfully thanked the Recording Academy again, saying, “This is really really kind … this doesn’t happen to people like me very often, and this is so nice, thank you very much.”
Styles was nominated for six awards on Sunday night, including for record and song of the year; the star took home the Grammy for best pop vocal album earlier in the broadcast. Harry’s House spent two weeks at. No. 1 on the Billboard 200, while his hit single “As It Was” spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Watch his acceptance speech above.
Adele paid tribute to her son during an emotional acceptance speech at the Grammys on Sunday (Feb. 5), after winning the trophy for best pop solo performance for “Easy on Me.”
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“Here I am crying,” she told the crowd before dedicating the win to her son, Angelo. Heading into the awards ceremony, Adele had already earned 15 Grammy wins, including album of the year wins for 25 and 21. She has had 25 total Grammy nominations during her career.
“I wrote this first verse in the shower when I was choosing to change my son’s life; he’s been nothing but humble and gracious and loving to me the whole time,” she told the audience gathered at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
“Easy on Me” was nominated in the category alongside Lizzo’s “About Damn Time,” Bad Bunny’s “Moscow Mule,” Doja Cat’s “Woman,” Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” and Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit.”
Adele had seven nominations heading into the 65th annual Grammy Awards, with “Easy on Me” earning recognition in categories including song of the year, best music video and record of the year. She has previously won in the best pop solo performance category for her recordings of “Someone Like You,” “Set Fire to the Rain [Live],” and “Hello.”
“Easy on Me” spent 10 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Other songs released from Adele’s 30 album include “Oh My God,” “I Drink Wine,” and “Can I Get It.”
Adele’s Las Vegas residency, Weekends With Adele, at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace, runs through March.
Lizzo’s No. 1 smash “About Damn Time” won the record of the year trophy at the 2023 Grammy Awards, giving the pop star her first Big Four category win.
“This is so unexpected!” Lizzo proclaimed after taking the stage to accept the record of the year trophy from Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Lizzo dedicated the award win to Prince, explaining, “When we lost Prince I decided to dedicate my life to making positive music.” After feeling misunderstood as a young artist, “I wanted to make the world a better place, so I had to be that change, to make the world a better place.”
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After thanking her producers (Ricky Reed and Blake Slatkin, who joined her onstage), team, family and boyfriend, Lizzo thanked Beyoncé, whose No. 1 single “Break My Soul” was also nominated for album of the year and who was watching the acceptance speech from a few feet away. Lizzo told Bey that she had “skipped school to see you perform” when she was a kid, and expressed her appreciation of her overall artistry. “Thank you so much. You clearly are the artist of our lives!” Lizzo told Beyoncé as she teared up.
Along with “Break My Soul,” “About Damn Time” won record of the year over Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit,” ABBA’s “Don’t Shut Me Down,” Adele’s “Easy On Me,” Mary J. Blige’s “Good Morning Gorgeous,” Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 5,” Doja Cat’s “Woman” and “You and Me on the Rock” by Brandi Carlile featuring Lucius.
Lizzo had previously won three career Grammys before the “About Damn Time” victory. Her album Special is also up for album of the year.
Click here for the updating list of Grammy award winners.
For at least a few minutes, the Crypto.com Arena became Harry’s House as Harry Styles took the stage for a performance his mega-hit “As It Was” during the 2023 Grammys on Sunday (Feb. 5).
Wearing a jumpsuit that appeared to be assembled entirely of tinsel, Styles began his performance with a crew of dancers who were themselves dressed like they were in a Gap ad. This group appeared on a giant elevated and rotating circle that gave light Jamiroquai “Virtual Insanity” vibes as dancers stayed in motion even while not moving.
Styles alternated between this circle and the mic stand down by his band, with his silver suit bouncing along with him, adding a dazzling element of dynamic motion that was especially pronounced when Styles broke out into big, joyous dance moves that added a dash of electricity to the performance.
For the last portion of the song, the pop star then returned to the rotating circle, performing a sort of lovelorn interpretive dance with the single female dancer left onstage before the entire crew returned to bop around for one final flourish. The performance got a standing ovation from Taylor Swift, Brandi Carlile and her wife, Catherine Shepherd, among many others.
Styles is in the midst of a big night, having already won one Grammy this evening, with Harry’s House taking home the award for best pop vocal album performance.
The superstar is also up for record of year for “As It Was,” album of the year for Harry’s House, song of the year for “As It Was”, best pop solo performance for “As It Was” (Styles won in this category at the 2021 Grammys with “Watermelon Sugar”), best pop vocal album for Harry’s House and best music video for “As It Was.”
Lizzo was ready to take attendees at the 65th annual Grammy Awards to church on Sunday (Feb. 5). The singer brought the house down with a performance of two tracks — “About Damn Time” and “Special” — from her recently released and Grammy-nominated album, Special.
The singer dazzled onstage in a black satin minidress with puff sleeves and a crystal corset detailing. The three-time Grammy winner first appeared as a silhouette behind a cloud of smoke, singing the pre-chorus of “About Damn Time” a capella before transitioning into “Special” with the help of a few friends.
For “Special,” Lizzo was accompanied by an all-Black choir clad in black and gold robes, with some members also supplying energetic choreography. “So I thought that I’d let you know/ In case nobody told you today/ You’re special/ In case nobody made you believe/ You’re special/ Well, I will always love you the same/ You’re special,” the pop star sang with the help of the choir.
Lizzo has a chance at adding a few more Grammy award wins to her belt. Earlier in the evening, Special lost to Harry Styles’ Harry’s House in the best pop vocal album category. “About Damn Time” is nominated for best pop solo performance, record of the year and song of the year, while Special is up for album of the year.
The 34-year-old attended the ceremony alongside boyfriend Myke Wright, whom she also brought to Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles on Saturday (Feb. 4).
Taylor Swift started her 2023 Grammy Awards night with a pre-telecast win and a shimmering walk down the red carpet.
The “Anti-Hero” hitmaker won the Grammy Award for best music video for “All Too Well: The Short Film,” which she wrote, directed and starred in with Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien. The honor was revealed during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony before the primetime event.
“I can’t put into words what this means to me,” Swift wrote on Twitter Sunday night (Feb. 5). “For the @RecordingAcad and my peers to acknowledge me as a director, and in doing so, acknowledge my work to try and reclaim my music… I’m blown away. Thank you to all the fans who willed this to happen.”
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Fan tweets full of pride for Swift were aplenty, with one supporter replying with a photo of “All Too Well: The Short Film” cupcakes and the message “SO PROUD OF YOU!!! love you forever” and another fan surrounded by Red merch saying, “I MANIFESTED ALL AFTERNOON!!!! IM SO HAPPY ALL TOO WELL THE SHORT FILM GOT THE RECOGNITION IT DESERVES. You’re an amazing director and screenwriter and I cannot wait to see all the magic you make next.”
And by the way, Swift headed out on the red carpet tonight, soon after her “All Too Well: The Short Film” award was announced.
“taylor waited until she won a grammy to show up at the red carpet she’s so iconic idk,” one fan pointed out.
Swift arrived on the Grammys red carpet in a two-piece, sparkling, midnight blue gown, featuring a crop top and a long, swooping skirt. The glamorous look was accessorized with her signature red lip, her hair pinned up and a pair of statement earrings.
“EXCUSE ME TAYLOR??” another fan tweeted, sharing an extreme closeup of her earrings. Other Swifties in reply pondered “What does it MEAN? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?! AHHHHH” and noted of the jewels: “Everyone saying purple as if y’all don’t seeeee the light blue crystals next to the purple.” “speak now and 1989 colors,” read one comment, inferring that the earrings could point to one or both albums of which she has yet to release her “Taylor’s Version” re-recordings.
See Swift’s thoughts about her “All Too Well: The Short Film” win below, and keep up with all of the 2023 Grammy Award winners here.
I can’t put into words what this means to me. For the @RecordingAcad and my peers to acknowledge me as a director, and in doing so, acknowledge my work to try and reclaim my music… I’m blown away. Thank you to all the fans who willed this to happen. https://t.co/nVoR1myP1f— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 6, 2023
The director of Leaving Neverland, the documentary that chronicled two accusers’ sexual abuse claims against Michael Jackson, is criticizing a planned biopic about the late singer.
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In a guest column for The Guardian published Sunday (Feb. 5), Dan Reed criticized the decision to release a biopic about the music icon, questioning why “no one is talking about ‘canceling’ this movie, which will glorify a man who raped children.”
“It seems that the press, his fans and the vast older demographic who grew up loving Jackson are willing to set aside his unhealthy relationship with children and just go along with the music,” Reed wrote.
He went on to directly address the filmmaking team, which includes director Antoine Fuqua, writer John Logan, as well as producers Graham King, John Branca and John McClain, the latter of whom are co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate. Reed challenged whether the film would be able to represent alleged moments of abuse.
“How will you represent the moment when Jackson, a grown man in his 30s, takes a child by the hand and leads him into that bedroom?” the Emmy-winning Leaving Neverland helmer asked. “How will you depict what happens next?”
He adds that the film “sidestepping the question of Jackson’s predilection for sleeping with young boys” is broadcasting a specific message to survivors of child sexual abuse. “That message is: if a [pedophile] is rich and popular enough, society will forgive him,” he said.
The biopic about the Grammy-winning, record-setting artist was announced last week and will address all aspects of Jackson’s life, according to Lionsgate, though it remains unclear how the film will tackle the various controversies around the late musician.
“For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson,” Fuqua said in a statement. “I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work — the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible.”
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to the Jackson estate and Fuqua for comment.
Reed said making Leaving Neverland, which features Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck, “was not just the opportunity to expose Jackson by having his victims speak on camera for the first time. Here was an opportunity to bring to the widest possible audience an insight into how children fall victim to any sexual abuser, the psychology of the predator and, above all, the grooming process.”
This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.
Coldplay returned to Saturday Night Live as musical guest on Feb. 4 to deliver some recent tunes and revisit a fan-favorite classic.
The British band, led by charismatic frontman Chris Martin, opened with their 2022 single “The Astronaut,” a collaboration with BTS member Jin. The song opened with a starry background and colorful shooting lights, and later revealed the musicians donning friendly looking alien masks while performing the upbeat track.
For their second performance, Coldplay opted for a medley of their heartfelt songs “Human Heart,” from their 2021 Music of the Spheres album, and their 2005 classic “Fix You,” from X&Y. The band was joined during the emotional performance by Jacob Collier and choral ensemble Jason Max Ferdinand Singers.
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This marked Coldplay’s seventh time performing as musical guest on the NBC sketch comedy show. The episode also featured first-time host and The Last of Us actor Pedro Pascal.
Coldplay is currently nearing completion of its 10th studio album, the follow-up to 2021’s Music of the Spheres, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
“We’re finishing an album called Moon Music,” Martin recently told Toronto’s City News, “which is the second Music of the Spheres volume, but that won’t come out for a little bit.” The singer added that Coldplay “might” start playing some of the songs live “at some point this year.”
After launching the Music of the Spheres tour in Costa Rica last March, Coldplay recently added a series of new North American dates for later this year, slated to launch at Seattle’s Lumen Field on Sept. 20 and wind down on Oct. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Watch Coldplay’s SNL performances below. For those without cable, the broadcast will also stream on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans on demand access to previous SNL episodes as well.
On Friday night (Feb. 3), Rita Ora hosted a pre-Grammy Awards party to celebrate the release of her new single “You Only Love Me,” as well as the anniversary of her decade-long music career.
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Adjacent to the Los Angeles’ iconic Chateau Marmont hotel, the “Celebrating 10 Years of Music” party took place at a private West Hollywood residence for an intimate gathering of Ora’s close friends and peers. Stars in attendance included Kate Beckinsale, Alessandra Ambrosio, Kristen Stewart, Chloé Zhao, Tia Mowry and Camila Mendes.
At 10 p.m. sharp, guests gathered inside the residence for a cozy performance from Ora, who sang three songs acoustically. She opened with “Let You Love Me” off her 2018 album, Phoenix, followed by her new single “You Only Love Me,” which released last week. Ora finished off the intimate performance with another song from Phoenix titled “Anywhere.”
“It feels good to sing it like that,” Ora told the crowd about the new single. “It’s a lot of work to continue a career after a decade. You’re thinking, ‘S—, I’m getting old.’ But it’s also a nice feeling because you kind of grow in people’s face, and you have lots and lots to talk about, so that’s the beauty of being able to do what we do.”
Just last week, Ora confirmed that she recently married Thor: Ragnarok and Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi, who was also in attendance at the party.
This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.
