Host Trevor Noah speaks at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
The Grammy Awards returned Sunday for the first time in three years with a traditional live show inside a packed Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, a format that allowed host Trevor Noah to work the very large room as he kicked off the night.
Or, to be more accurate, as he followed Bad Bunny, whose fiery medley of his music had the room dancing to his Latin grooves in what arguably was the highest-profile performance by a Latin music artist in Grammy history.
“You know, every time I listen to him I get hips I never knew had,” Noah joked at the close of Bad Bunny’s show-opening performance.
“I’ll be floating around the room,” Noah continued. “Think of me as a Chinese spy balloon.”
As Noah wandered through the crowd he called out some of the biggest stars seated nearby, including Beyoncé, who with two Grammys awarded earlier Sunday, was only two wins away from setting a new record as the most-honored artist in Grammy history.
Spotting Harry Styles, who a few moments later would win the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for “Harry’s House,” Noah ribbed him about his status as a sex symbol: “Sex symbol of the globe – especially since they killed off the green M&M.”
Singer-songwriter Lizzo, who also plays a flute in concert, next caught Noah’s eye: “The most famous flute player in the world since … I’m sure there were others,” he joked.
Taylor Swift, who was spotted up and dancing throughout Bad Bunny’s number, was noted for her prolific record sales in 2022: “The only music we listened to more than Taylor’s music was the hold music for Southwest Airlines,” Noah noted.
Then after describing his research into the various stars at the show – LL Cool J apparently loves cereal? – he told the audience that Adele was a big fan of Dwayne Johnson, and promptly brought out the Rock to give her a hug, which left Adele laughing uproariously.
The second performance of the night followed with another new Grammy twist – introductions by people close to the performer, in this case Brandi Carlile, who won three Grammys before the telecast, coming to the stage to play “Broken Horses” with an introduction by her wife and two adorable young kids.
Originally published at Peter Larsen