Grammys 2023: Six biggest talking points, from Ben Affleck memes to Beyoncé’s record-breaking win
British pop star won over Beyonce’s critically adored album ‘Renaissance’
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Harry Styles took home the biggest prize at this year’s Grammy Awards, marking a shock upset on what many expected to be Beyonce’s night.
The British pop singer won for his 2021 record Harry’s House, beating projects by Beyoncé, Adele and Lizzo.
“S***, well s***,” he said, upon accepting the trophy. “I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me, and a lot of different times in my life I’ve listened to everyone in this category when I’m alone.
“On nights like tonight, it’s so important to remember there’s no such thing as best. This is so kind, this doesn’t happen to people like me very often and it’s so nice.”
Despite missing out on Album of the Year, which she has still never won, Beyoncé took home her 32nd Grammy Award to become the most decorated artist in the awards show’s history.
Other memorable moments on the night included Quavo’s tribute performance for his nephew and bandmate Takeoff, who was killed last year, Dave Chappelle winning Best Comedy Album for his Netflix comedy special, The Closer, which drew heavy criticism for jokes about the transgender community, and Viola Davis officially achieving EGOT status, becoming only the third Black woman in history to earn the honour.
Below are the biggest talking points of the 65th annual Grammy Awards.
Kim Petras makes history by becoming the first trans woman to win a Grammy award for Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration
Kim Petras and Sam Smith accepted the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Collaboration for their song “Unholy,” making Petras the first-ever transgender woman to win a Grammy in the category.
Petras and Smith walked onstage together, but Smith stood behind Petras and gave her the mic.
“Sam graciously wanted me to accept this award because I’m the first transgender woman to win this award,” Petras said. “I just want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who take these doors open for me so I couldn’t be here tonight,” she said, before referencing the late Grammy-nominated producer Sophie, who died in 2020.
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Petras also thanked Madonna for “fighting for LGBTQ rights” before turning the speech to her mother, who she says supported her throughout her entire journey.
The singer ended the speech by turning back to Smith. “This is a huge moment for me, Sam. Thank you. You’re a true angel and hero in my life. And I love you and everyone who made the song too. I love you guys so much. Sorry, I didn’t write down the names!”
Sam Smith fans call out reporter for misgendering singer
Sam Smith’s fans called out a reporter for misgendering the singer while covering the 2023 Grammy Awards red carpet.
Smith, who uses they/them pronouns, arrived at the awards show with Kim Petras when a reporter with the Associated Press said: “Sam Smith has had a lot of controversy around his outfits this past year, I love that he’s continuing to push the mould, love that he’s continuing to break out from the Sam Smith that we knew at the ballads.
“He’s still singing those ballads, but he’s definitely diving fully in, into pop music, and we can see that, not only in his music, but also in his looks as well.”
Smith came out as non-binary and genderqueer in 2019. In an interview, earlier this year, the singer said changing their pronouns “felt like coming home”.
Dave Chappelle won a Grammy award for the Netflix special that sparked transphobia accusations
Dave Chappelle won Best Comedy Album at the 2023 Grammys for his recent Netflix comedy special, The Closer, which drew heavy criticism for jokes about the transgender community.
Critics accused Chappelle of “transphobic” remarks, such as saying he was “team Terf” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist). He was also widely condemned for claiming that the LGBTQ+ community was attempting to “destroy” the lives of celebrities such as JK Rowling by “cancelling” them.
Beyoncé becomes the biggest winner in Grammys history
Beyoncé broke the record for the most Grammy Award wins of all time, after collecting her 32nd trophy at this year’s ceremony.
The singer made history as she won the Best Dance/Electronic Album award, for her 2022 album Renaissance. In doing so, she overtook Hungarian-British conductor George Solti, whose record of 31 awards had stood for more than 20 years.
Apart from Best Dance/Electronic Album, the “Break My Soul” singer also won Best Dance/Electronic Recording, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song awards.
Ben Affleck became the meme of the night
Amid all the revelry was poor old Ben Affleck, who looked dejected next to his wife Jennifer Lopez.
Affleck, who is no stranger to the meme community, was quickly derided for his “miserable” expression on social media.
“Ben Affleck is every guy at his wife’s work party,” one user tweeted, while another wrote: “Ben Affleck at the Grammys is me any time I have to be on a Zoom call.”
Fans got emotional during the In Memoriam section
Emotions were running high during Quavo’s tribute to Takeoff, which was followed by a tribute for Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie.
Quavo sang his song “Without You” with help from Maverick City Music in memory of his Migos bandmate, who died aged 28 in November after being shot.
Meanwhile, Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, and Bonnie Raitt paid tribute to Fleetwood Mac member Christie McVie with a rendition of “Songbird”.
As always, the in-memoriam segment was a painful reminder of all the incredible artists we lost recently.
Scroll down to see how the night unfolded.
Ben Affleck is having a horrible time
You know when your other half drags you to an event that you reeeally don’t want to go to? Well, Ben Affleck is that guy at the Grammys attending with his wife Jennifer Lopez.
The actor looks absolutely desolate in clips that have immediately circulated on social media.
Bad Bunny wins Best Música Urbana Album
Could it have been anyone else? Of course not!
The Puerto Rican artist says “it’s easy because I just made this album with love and passion… and when you do things with love and passion, everything is easier. Life is easier.”
Beyoncé has made it!
Queen Bey is in the building!! At long last, she’s here and Trevor Noah has handed the singer her record-breaking Grammy.
Kendrick Lamar wins Best Rap Album
Cardi B presented Kendrick Lamar with the Grammy for his album Mr. Morale & The Big Stepper.
It’s the rapper’s 17th Grammy Award. “As artists we’re all entertainers. We say things to provoke thoughts and feelings and emotions,” he said in his acceptance speech.
“Making this record, one of my toughest to make, allowed me to do that and share other people’s experiences.”
Lamar beat Jack Harlow, Future, DJ Khaled and Pusha T for the award.
“I finally found perfection with this album,” Lamar added.
A lot of emotional tributes
Quavo’s tribute to Takeoff is followed by a tribute for Christine McVie.
Quavo sang his song “Without You” with help from Maverick City Music in memory of his Migos bandmate, who died aged 28 in November after being shot.
Meanwhile, Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, and Bonnie Raitt paid tribute to Fleetwood Mac member Christie McVie with a rendition of “Songbird”.
As always, the in-memoriam segment is a painful reminder if all the incredible artists we lost recently.
Madonna praises ‘troublemakers’ Sam Smith and Kim Petras
The Queen of Pop introduced Petras and Smith for their live rendition of “Unholy”.
“If they call you shocking, scandalous, troublesome, problematic, provocative or dangerous, you’re definitely on to something,” Madonna said during her intro.
“All you troublemakers out there, your fearlessness doesn’t go unnoticed you are seen, you are heard and most of all you are appreciated.”
SHE’S DONE IT!!!!
BEYONCÉ IS OFFICIALLY THE MOST DECORATED ARTIST IN GRAMMY HISTORY!!!!
Beyoncé fought back tears while accepting the award for Best Dance / Electronic music album for Renaissance.
“I want to thank God for protecting me... I’d like to thank my uncle Johnny who is not here but he is here in spirit,” she said.
“I’d like to thank my parents, my father, my mother, for loving me, for pushing me. I’d like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful children who are watching at home.”
“I’d like to thank the queer community for your love and for inventing the genre,” she added.
The singer surpassed conductor Georg Solti with her 32nd Grammy win.
You can read more about the Hungarian-British conductor here.
Everything you need to know about Grammys legend Georg Solti
Solti clocked up 31 Grammy wins before his death in 1997
Beyoncé’s speech in full:
Dr Dre receives the Dr Dre Global Impact Award
LL Cool J presented Dr Dre with an award named after none other than the “Still D.R.E.” rapper himself.
“The recipient of this inaugural award is none other than an icon who helped define West Coast hip-hop and has become one of the most impactful success stories of our time,” LL Cool J said.
Accepting the award, Dre said: “Never compromise your vision at all. Pursue quality over quantity and remember that everything is important.”
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