Bad Bunny's selfie game, SZA calls Grammys dystopian: What you didn't see on TV
- - Bad Bunny's selfie game, SZA calls Grammys dystopian: What you didn't see on TV
Anthony Robledo, Melissa Ruggieri and Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYFebruary 2, 2026 at 7:11 AM
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The biggest names in music made noise about the state of the nation at the 2026 Grammy Awards, condemning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while also encouraging Americans to remain hopeful and mobilized.
Several speeches brought current affairs to the forefront at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1, and wide-ranging performances simultaneously offered some escapism. Tyler, the Creator crashed a car on stage and lit a stick of dynamite during his set while Justin Bieber gave a mesmerizing stripped-down set (literally) in his boxers.
The ceremony also saw Reba McEntire's debut Grammys performance, a show-stealing R&B mashup set led by Lauryn Hill, Cher's first return to the award show in nearly two decades and a historic album of the year win for Bad Bunny presented by Harry Styles.
Justin Bieber performs onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards.
Yet that was only what viewers saw on TV, as USA TODAY had all the details that didn't make the live taping, from the red carpet to inside the show and backstage.
Everyone wants a selfie with Bad Bunny
With Taylor Swift and Beyoncé out of the mix from this year's ceremony, Bad Bunny was the star among stars at the 2026 Grammys.
Ahead of his historic win for album of the year, the soon-to-be Super Bowl halftime headliner was stationed front and center of the show, where various A-listers awaited their turn for a chat. The reggaeton musician carried on conversations with stars including Miley Cyrus, Shaboozey, Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber. At one point, he gave Jelly Roll a hug.
Jelly Roll and Bad Bunny attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.
During one commercial break, Sabrina Carpenter approached the "DeBĂ TiRAR MĂĄS FOToS" singer before posing for a picture together. He casually lowered his head to speak to the 5-foot singer amid their noisy surroundings. In a later break, Carpenter returned to Bad Bunny with friend and hit producer Jack Antonoff in what from afar looked like introducing two friends to each other.
Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter reunite as second-time nominees
Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter were first-time nominees in 2025, sharing space in several categories, including best new artist (which Roan won), best pop vocal album and best pop solo performance (both of which Carpenter won).
The pop stars are still thriving a year later, having reunited at the 2026 Grammys, both nominated for best pop solo performance.
The pair caught up during a commercial break, expressing fondness for each other. Though the two left the show empty-handed, pop music enthusiasts can likely expect more Grammy sightings from the two singers, who are still in their mid 20s.
Lady Gaga shares tender moment with beau during Bruno Mars set
Accepting the award for best pop vocal album for "Mayhem," Lady Gaga declared her love and gratitude to her fianceÌ Michael Polansky, saying, "You are by my side every single day in a way that I canât thank you enough for, and you worked so hard with me on this record and all year."
Gaga, who also won best dance pop recording for "Abracadabra," couldn't keep her hands off her beau after their shared triumph. Feeling undeniably affectionate, the "Zombie Boy" singer kissed her man as she returned to the crowd while the tech entrepreneur caressed her face.
The public affection continued as Gaga's "Die With A Smile" collaborator, Bruno Mars, performed his new song "I Just Might." Gaga held onto Polansky while jamming out to Mars' electric's set. Quite the memorable date night.
Scroll through for a look at the best behind-the-scenes photos from the 2026 Grammy Awards, starting with Tate McRae and Lady Gaga.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>The biggest names in music came together for the industry's biggest night in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, and world's collided in the crowd as the artists mingled and socialized.Scroll through for a look at the best behind-the-scenes photos from the 2026 Grammy Awards, starting with Tate McRae and Lady Gaga.
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The biggest names in music came together for the industry's biggest night in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, and world's collided in the crowd as the artists mingled and socialized.Scroll through for a look at the best behind-the-scenes photos from the 2026 Grammy Awards, starting with Tate McRae and Lady Gaga.
">The biggest names in music came together for the industry's biggest night in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, and world's collided in the crowd as the artists mingled and socialized.Scroll through for a look at the best behind-the-scenes photos from the 2026 Grammy Awards, starting with Tate McRae and Lady Gaga.
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Justin Bieber, Bad Bunny and Hailey Bieber at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Justin Bieber, Bad Bunny and Hailey Bieber at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Yungblud and Billie Eilish at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Yungblud and Billie Eilish at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Bad Bunny and Miley Cyrus at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Bad Bunny and Miley Cyrus at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
">Bad Bunny and Miley Cyrus at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Yungblud and Kelly Osbourne at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Yungblud and Kelly Osbourne at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Miguel Harichi and J Balvin at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Miguel Harichi and J Balvin at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Reba McEntire and Lainey Wilson at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Reba McEntire and Lainey Wilson at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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J Balvin and Marcello Hernandez at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Bruno Mars and Rosé at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Bruno Mars and Rosé at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
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1 / 46The best behind-the-scenes photos from the Grammys
The biggest names in music came together for the industry's biggest night in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, and world's collided in the crowd as the artists mingled and socialized.Scroll through for a look at the best behind-the-scenes photos from the 2026 Grammy Awards, starting with Tate McRae and Lady Gaga.
SZA says celebrating awards right now feels 'dystopian'
SZA touched on the country's mood backstage after she shared record of the year win for âLutherâ with Kendrick Lamar, with whom she toured last year and performed at the Super Bowl halftime show.
"Itâs incredibly dystopian that we were dressed up and celebrating accolades" when people can get shot in the streets, she said. "It feels bizarre. So many of us donât know how to feel right now because there is rage and hopelessness. But I really believe in great possibility ⊠I will not be going quietly into the dying of the light.â
The "Good Days" singer still managed to have a good time as she ascended during the R&B set brought by an ensemble of singers, including Lauryn Hill, Jon Batiste, John Legend, Wyclef Jean and more.
SZA could not keep her hands out of the air while thrumming along to the D'Angelo and Roberta Flack tribute before the rest of the Grammy audience followed suit and erupted when Hill concluded with "Killing Me Softly."
Lola Young composes herself after shock from Grammy win
Lola Young was giddy onstage after her surprise win for best pop solo performance for âMessyâ â getting bleeped during her impromptu acceptance speech, apologizing and doubling over in joy before exiting the stage.
Lola Young
Backstage, the 25-year-old singer was more composed as she reflected on the victory; she had fainted during a September concert.
âYou have to protect your mental health in this industry. Itâs a very difficult industry to be in,â Young said. âI took the time out to get better. There were a lot of things going on in my head, in my personal life.â
âBut now I am back, I feel better," she added. âItâs a really beautiful moment for me.â
Jelly Roll backstage on what Ozzy Osbourne tribute meant to him
An exuberant Jelly Roll chatted backstage about performing a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne at the Jan. 31 Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala.
Jelly said he loved Osbourne, who died in July 2025, because he was "another man who wore his faith quietly." At Davisâ event, Jelly Roll sang "Mama Iâm Coming Home," often directly to Sharon, Kelly and Jack Osbourne, seated near the front of the stage.
The relationship with the family is what Jelly Roll said he cherished most.
âThey call me brother now. And Sharon is an absolute gangster,â he said.
Emotions overcome Shaboozey backstage, too
Shaboozey got emotional onstage during the pre-Grammy ceremony, celebrating his first Grammy win (best country duo/group performance) for "Amen" with Jelly Roll. But the Nashville singer shed even more waterworks speaking backstage. During one answer, he had to stop speaking, nervously tossing the Grammy in his hands while he composed himself.
Wiping his eyes before talking about how hard his immigrant mother worked to put him through school, he finally said with a smile: âIâm good now."
"Iâm talking day shifts, night shifts," he told reporters backstage. "When I think about the people who helped me in my life. We are all from somewhere else.â
"This means the world," he continued. "Thatâs why I cry so much. To have people out there enjoying my music."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bad Bunny's chat with Sabrina Carpenter: What you didnât at the Grammys
Source: âAOL Entertainmentâ
