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A seat filler who attended this year’s Grammys has spilled the beans on what really happens when the cameras stop rolling.
Seat fillers are individuals hired to temporarily occupy empty seats left by celebrities during televised award shows or events to maintain a full-looking, engaged audience for the cameras, functioning much like a game of musical chairs.
And out of the 350 individuals that were picked to be a part of the 2026 ceremony, one seat filler has revealed the behind-the-scenes gossip and chaos that goes on.
Sharing their experience on Reddit, the user said the night was ‘absolute chaos’ during commercial breaks.
The awards show was full of memorable moments and hilarious blunders, from host Trevor Noah’s opening monologue to Cher’s chaotic speech and Justin Bieber’s performance in his pants.
As well as the mayhem in front of the cameras, the seat filler said there was complete pandemonium behind the scenes.
A seat filler who attended this year’s Grammys has spilled the beans on what really happens when the cameras stop rolling (Trevor Noah and Bad Bunny pictured)
Out of the 350 individuals that were picked to be a part of the ceremony, one seat filler has revealed the BTS gossip and chaos that goes on (Yungblud and Lady Gaga pictured)
The user wrote: ‘I had the most surreal night at The Grammys last night as a seatfiller! I spent most of my time on the floor (main table area and rows just behind it).
’32k people applied this year and 350 got picked. I traveled from Tampa to LA to attend and 1000% worth – a once in a lifetime experience!
‘It’s absolute chaos during the commercial breaks. The second they go to commercial, people are up and moving and then about 60 seconds before it goes live again, they start making announcements to clear the aisles and take a seat and everyone’s scrambling (which is where the seat filling comes in!).
‘The way they split up the stage for the different performances and sets is really interesting.
‘I also didn’t realise some of the performances were filmed somewhere else (if I remember correctly, I think just some of the best new artist performances) so they play them on the screens.’
Their experience attracted tons of comments from fans wondering what else goes on when the cameras stop rolling.
One user asked: ‘If a celeb claims your seat with five seconds on the clock do you get shoved under the table?’
The seat filler said: ‘A hole in the floor opens up and you gotta hop in OR ELSE (or they quickly move you to another seat or to the back)’
Sharing their experience on Reddit, the user said the night was ‘absolute chaos’ during commercial breaks
The placeholder also shared a sweet encounter with American actor and comedian Jamie Foxx, who told her: ‘looking beautiful tonight’ (pictured)
As well as the mayhem in front of the cameras, the seat filler said there was complete pandemonium behind the scenes
Asked if they were able to talk to the celebrities, the individual said: ‘We’re told not to talk to them and I didn’t. I didn’t end up a table with a celeb, just tables with other seat fillers so we were next to them.
‘SZA’s mom and I talked a bunch. I did hear staff saying people “rushed” Lady Gaga after the show ended because I think people just assumed all rules were out the window since the show was over.’
The placeholder also shared a sweet encounter with American actor and comedian Jamie Foxx, who told her: ‘looking beautiful tonight’.
While the job is wanted by thousands, lucky candidates have to fund their own flights, snacks and do not get paid a thing.
Cher brought the Grammys to a crashing shambolic end by walking offstage prematurely and then accidentally announcing the late Luther Vandross as the winner of an award meant for Kendrick Lamar.
The 79-year-old initially came onstage to present the gong but instead accepted her own lifetime achievement award, then left before having to be called back by host Trevor Noah because she had forgotten to hand out record of the year.
Then, while doling out the honor, won by by Lamar and SZA for their song Luther, Cher managed to mar the moment with a blunder that left viewers shrieking with laughter.
Firstly, she said: ‘And the Grammy goes to…’ trailing off into an awkward pause as she stared forward before saying: ‘Oh! They told me it was gonna be on the prompter.’
Cher brought the Grammys to a crashing chaotic end by accidentally announcing the late Luther Vandross as the winner of an award meant for Kendrick Lamar
The 79-year-old did eventually realize her mistake and manage to crow: ‘Oh, no, Kendrick Lamar!’ and laughing at her mistake during Lamar and SZA’s play-on music
Cher’s whole onstage appearance had been a chaotic affair, as she gave her lifetime achievement speech and then walked off only to walk right back on to present another award
Once she realized she did in fact have to open the envelope in her hand, she did so, read it and ecstatically declared the winner: ‘Luther Gandross [sic]!’
Lamar, 38, giggled with bemusement at Cher naming Vandross – who has been dead for 20 years – but he recognized that she meant his song and took the stage.
Cher did eventually realize her mistake and manage to crow: ‘Oh, no, Kendrick Lamar!’ laughing at her mistake during Lamar and SZA’s play-on music.
Vandross was the inspiration for the song, which sampled the late crooner’s vocals, so Lamar made sure to thank him in his speech.
Fans erupted online, cackling: ‘Cher high as hell man,’ ‘Luther Vandross got me hooting and hollering,’ ‘Luther Vandross had me so weak. Cher had me lmfao,’ and: ‘Lord Cher just found out Luther vandross passed away today lmaooo.’
Cher’s whole appearance had been a chaotic affair, as she took the stage to present record of the year only to be interrupted by host Noah so that he could give her a lifetime achievement award first.
She then delivered her prepared speech encouraging viewers never to relinquish their dreams, but concluded by awkwardly saying: ‘Thank you. I guess I’m supposed to walk off now. All right.’
Cher strolled offstage to an explosive chorus of audience applause and then returned to launch into her Vandross fiasco.
The awards show was full of memorable moments, starting right from Noah’s opening monologue, which triggered rumors of a feud with Justin Bieber.
Bieber went viral for putting on a forced, tight smile when Noah tried to banter with him and his wife Hailey at his table – and even cringing at one of his jokes.
After congratulating Bieber on his nominations and the birth of his now one-year-old son Jack Blues, Noah rattled through a bit of material, and although Hailey laughed politely along, her husband neglected to muster even a chuckle.
Grammy Awards 2026 winners: AT A GLANCE
Album Of The Year: Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Record Of The Year: Kendrick Lamar With SZA – luther
Song Of The Year: Billie Eilish – WILDFLOWER
Best New Artist: Olivia Dean
Bad Bunny took home three Grammy Awards including top honor Album Of The Year
Best Pop Vocal Album: Lady Gaga – MAYHEM
Best Pop Solo Performance: Lola Young – Messy
Best Traditional Country Album: Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken
Best Rap Album: Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Best Música Urbana Album: Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Justin Bieber went viral for putting on a forced, tight smile when Trevor Noah tried to banter with him at the Grammy Awards
Bieber caught viewers’ attention again later that night by delivering a performance of his new song Yukon dressed in nothing but his boxers
Sabrina Carpenter pranced around in a saucy pilot outfit for an airport-themed rendition of her song Manchild, a track slating her ex-boyfriend Barry Keoghan
True to form, Lady Gaga donned an extravagant headpiece that vaguely resembled the base of a patio table as she played a rock arrangement of her song Abracadabra
When Gaga won the Best Album Grammy on Sunday, she got a standing ovation – but her competitor Miley Cyrus appeared to stay seated and not clap beside her fiancé Maxx Morando
Gaga remained tearful when she took the stage to accept her award, saying: ‘I’ve been making music since I was a little girl and every time I’m here I still feel like I need to pinch myself’
Then Noah delivered his final punchline at that table, asking Hailey if he could get a ‘discount code’ for her Rhode lip tint, at which point Bieber grimaced.
His disdainful response to Noah did not go unnoticed by fans, as one tweeted: ‘Do Trevor Noah and Justin Bieber have some sort of beef or? that was painful to watch.’
One viewer joked on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Justin Bieber looks like he was about to murder Trevor Noah in any second hahaha,’ as another observed: ‘Justin Bieber did not want Trevor Noah over there with the jokes.’
Bieber caught viewers attention again later that night by delivering a performance of his new song Yukon dressed in nothing but his boxers.
He stalked the stage in his underwear, showing off his sprawl of tattoos and holding a guitar as his wife Hailey looked on appreciatively.
Online reaction was more divided, with some quarters hailing him for giving a ‘beautiful and vulnerable performance’ while others heaped him with mockery, for example: ‘Justin this is the Grammys and not the beach… just embarrassing.’
Among the top-flight names who hit the stage that evening was Sabrina Carpenter, who pranced around in a saucy pilot outfit for an airport-themed rendition of her song Manchild, a track mocking her ex-boyfriend Barry Keoghan.
True to form, Lady Gaga donned an extravagant headpiece that vaguely resembled the base of a patio table as she played a rock arrangement of her song Abracadabra.
Billie Eilish took the stage with her brother and longtime co-writer Finneas O’Connell and used their speech as a political polemic, blaring: ‘F*** ICE’
Bad Bunny won album of the year for his latest release Debi Tirar Mas Fotos and also made his speech a paean to immigrants in America
Bunny had a few more lighthearted moments as well, such as a running gag in which Noah tried to goad him into singing a bit at the Grammys in defiance of his Super Bowl contract
Meanwhile Miley Cyrus was accused of ungraciously refusing to clap in the audience when Gaga beat her for best pop vocal album.
Cyrus was nominated in the category for her latest release Something Beautiful but she was beaten by album Mayhem.
Gaga, 39, burst into tears upon learning she had won and got a kiss from her fiancé Michael Polansky as the audience erupted in a standing ovation.
Sabrina Carpenter, another one of the singers Gaga had just beaten for the prize, was seen clapping and beaming after rising to her feet.
When the camera cut to Cyrus, 33, however, she was firmly in her seat, not clapping and saying something inaudible to her fiancé Maxx Morando with a faint grin.
At that stage Cyrus was rubbing her hands together, so there remains the possibility that she had clapped a bit beforehand and only just stopped – but her reaction nevertheless provoked a blistering response on social media.
Meanwhile the late Ozzy Osbourne’s family were seen reduced to tears in the audience when the awards show paid tribute to him six months after his death.
Slash and Post Malone led the homage with a performance of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs, joined by Chad Smith, Duff McKagan and Andrew Watt.
Osbourne’s widow Sharon Osbourne, and their children Jack and Kelly Osbourne, could be glimpsed in the audience, clearly moved.
When Billie Eilish won song of the year for Wildflower, she took the stage with her brother and longtime co-writer Finneas O’Connell and used their speech as a political polemic, insisting that ‘no one is illegal on stolen land’ and blaring: ‘F*** ICE.’
A Black Sabbath tribute led by Slash and Post Malone led to tearful reactions from the family of the late Ozzy Osbourne, who were seated in the audience
Jelly Roll delivered a heartfelt speech about how important Christianity was to him, only to come in for fierce condemnation by liberals on social media
Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean enjoyed a Fugees reunion as they performed their 1990s cover of Killing Me Softly With His Song in memory of the late R&B icon Roberta Flack
Bad Bunny won album of the year for his latest release Debi Tirar Mas Fotos and also made his speech a paean to immigrants in America.
Although he spoke almost entirely in Spanish onstage, he reserved the use of English for one sentence: ‘I want to dedicate this award to all the people that had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams.’
Debi Tirar Mas Fotos was the first full Spanish-language album to win album of the year at the Grammys, and only the second to be nominated in the category.
Bunny had a few more lighthearted moments as well, such as a running gag in which Noah tried to goad him into singing a bit at the Grammys.
If he did so, he would have violated his contractual obligation to not perform in public until he plays the Super Bowl halftime next Sunday.
In an apparently scripted bit, Noah teased him: ‘Like I find myself thinking when I’m in the room now, I’m like man, I wish I had, you know, I should have taken more photos.’
When Olivia Dean was presented with the best new artist trophy by Chappell Roan, she gave a tip of the hat to the political climate by praising her grandmother, a Windrush immigrant
Bunny, whose Christian name is Benito Ocasio, asked: ‘Is that my song in English?’ and then broke and consented to sing only the briefest bit of Debi Tirar Mas Fotos.
When Olivia Dean was presented with the best new artist trophy by Chappell Roan, she gave a tip of the hat to the political climate by praising her grandmother, who was part of the Windrush generation of Guyanese immigrants to the UK.
‘I guess I want to say I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here,’ she said. ‘Yeah, I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. So yeah, we are nothing without each other.’
Jelly Roll’s latest release Beautifully Broken won best country album, and he delivered a heartfelt speech about how important Christianity was to him – only to come in for fierce condemnation by liberals on social media.
‘I believe that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life,’ he said. ‘I want to tell y’all right now: Jesus is for everybody, Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no…label. Jesus is Jesus.’
Trolls flocked online to accuse the country star of ‘religious psychosis,’ and wonder: ‘Does this mf Jelly Roll ever just talk normal?’
One wrote, in reference to the 275lbs he has lost over the course of the past approximately three years: ‘Jelly Roll being like scary skinny suddenly, girl, what happened. Now the face tattoos and Jesus talk seem even more menacing.’
Joni Mitchell lapsed into a long and eerie pause during her Grammys speech, and then had to be reminded onstage that she had won.
One of the upset wins of the night was newcomer Lola Young, who landed best solo pop performance for her song Messy, then took the stage and swore during her speech
The 82-year-old folk music icon and her producer Patrick Milligan earned this year’s trophy for best historical album for her retrospective collection Joni Mitchell Archives: Volume 4 – The Asylum Years – (1976-1980).
When they took the stage, Mitchell said with a laugh: ‘This is the most glitter and glam I ever saw at the Grammys,’ but then drifted into a protracted silence.
Eventually Milligan gently touched her arm in order to urge her on, asking softly: ‘You gonna say anything?’ to which Mitchell said: ‘Did I win?’
‘We did,’ he said, prompting her to chirp: ‘Oh, I won? Oh!’ earning a laugh and a round of applause from the audience, as Milligan indicated them to her and said: ‘See?’
Mitchell suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015 and largely withdrew from the spotlight as she embarked on an extensive recovery that included relearning to speak and walk, though she has been making public appearances again over the past half-decade.
Musical history was made at the Grammys as the reclusive Lauryn Hill returned to the stage of the awards show for the first time in 27 years.
YouTuber Alex Warren made his Grammys debut singing his hit single Ordinary, but technical issues involving his in-ear monitor threw his performance into disarray
Having shot to fame in the 1990s with the hip-hop trio Fugees, she broke out on her own and released her first and only solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998, performing at the Grammys to promote it in 1999.
In the ensuing years she rapidly became disillusioned with fame and the cutthroat inner workings of the music industry, withdrawing largely from the spotlight.
However she has been back onstage in recent years, and played the Grammys this Sunday to deliver an homage to two late R&B icons, Roberta Flack and D’Angelo.
Flack’s most famous single Killing Me Softly With His Song had been covered by the Fugees in 1996, and when Hill reprised the number for Sunday night’s tribute, the moment became a reunion with her fellow Fugee Wyclef Jean.
YouTuber Alex Warren made his Grammys debut singing his hit single Ordinary, but technical issues involving his in-ear monitor threw his performance into disarray.
As his big moment unraveled, with his singing a half-a-beat off, Warren looked shattered and at one point pulled the monitor out of his ear in frustration.
Nevertheless, he won a vote of confidence from Jelly Roll, who along with his wife Bunnie XO was swept up in the romance of the number to the point they were seen slow-dancing in the audience and leaning in for a kiss.
One of the upset wins of the night was newcomer Lola Young, who landed best solo pop performance for her song Messy, then took the stage and swore during her acceptance speech, with the network unable to bleep her in time.
‘I don’t have any speech prepared. Obviously, I don’t. It’s Messy, do you know what I mean?’ she joked. ‘I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much. You can tell by my f***ing face. Sorry, sorry, sorry.’
Grammy Awards 2026 winners – FULL LIST
Album Of The Year
Bad Bunny – DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS _ WINNER
Justin Bieber – SWAG
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
Clipse, Pusha T and Malice – Let God Sort Em Out
Lady Gaga – MAYHEM
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Leon Thomas – MUTT
Tyler, The Creator – CHROMAKOPIA
Bad Bunny earned top prize of the night Best Album
Song Of The Year
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Doechii – Anxiety
ROSE, Bruno Mars – APT.
Bad Bunny – DtMF
HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI – Golden (From ‘KPop Demon Hunters’)
Kendrick Lamar With SZA – luther
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Billie Eilish – WILDFLOWER – WINNER
Billie Eilish took home Song Of The Year for WILDFLOWER with brother FINNEAS
Best Pop Solo Performance
Justin Bieber – DAISIES
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Lady Gaga – Disease
Chappell Roan – The Subway
Lola Young – Messy – WINNER
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande -Defying Gravity – WINNER
HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI – Golden (From KPop Demon Hunters)
KATSEYE – Gabriela
ROSE, Bruno Mars – APT.
SZA Featuring Kendrick Lamar – 30 For 30
Best Pop Vocal Album
Justin Bieber – SWAG
Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful
Lady Gaga – MAYHEM – WINNER
Teddy Swims – I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)
Best Dance/Electronic Recording
Disclosure & Anderson .Paak – No Cap
Fred again.., Skepta, & PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
KAYTRANADA – SPACE INVADER
Skrillex – VOLTAGE
Tame Impala – End Of Summer – WINNER
Best Dance Pop Recording
Selena Gomez & benny blanco – Bluest Flame
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra – WINNER
Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1 The Movie)
PinkPantheress – Illegal
Lady Gaga added to her collection with three more Grammys
Best Dance/Electronic Album
FKA twigs – EUSEXUA – WINNER
Fred again.. – Ten Days
PinkPantheress – Fancy That
RUFUS DU SOL – Inhale / Exhale
Skrillex – F— U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3
Best Remixed Recording
Abracadabra (Gesaffelstein Remix) – Lady Gaga, Gesaffelstein – WINNER
Don’t Forget About Us – KAYTRANADA, Mariah Carey
A Dreams A Dream (Ron Trent Remix) – Ron Trent, Soul II Soul
Galvanize – The Chemical Brothers, Chris Lake
Golden (David Guetta REM/X) – David Guetta, HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI
Best Rock Performance
Amyl and The Sniffers – U Should Not Be Doing That
Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
Turnstile – NEVER ENOUGH
Hayley Williams – Mirtazapine
YUNGBLUD Featuring Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, II – Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back To The Beginning – WINNER
Best Metal Performance
Dream Theater – Night Terror
Ghost – Lachryma
Sleep Token – Emergence
Spiritbox – Soft Spine
Turnstile – BIRDS – WINNER
Best Rock Song
Nine Inch Nails – As Alive As You Need Me To Be – WINNER
Sleep Token – Caramel
Hayley Williams – Glum
Turnstile – NEVER ENOUGH
YUNGBLUD – Zombie
Best Rock Album
Deftones – private music
HAIM – I quit
Linkin Park – From Zero
Turnstile – NEVER ENOUGH – WINNER
YUNGBLUD – Idols
Best Alternative Music Performance
Bon Iver – Everything Is Peaceful Love
The Cure – Alone – WINNER
Turnstile – SEEIN’ STARS
Wet Leg – mangetout
Hayley Williams – Parachute
Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE
The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World – WINNER
Tyler, The Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS
Wet Leg – moisturizer
Hayley Williams – Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
Best R&B Performance
Justin Bieber – YUKON
Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller – It Depends
Kehlani – Folded – WINNER
Leon Thomas – MUTT — Live From NPR’s Tiny Desk
Summer Walker – Heart Of A Woman
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Durand Bernarr – Here We Are
Lalah Hathaway – UPTOWN
Ledisi – LOVE YOU TOO
SZA – Crybaby
Leon Thomas – VIBES DON’T LIE – WINNER
Best R&B Song
Kehlani – Folded – WINNER
Summer Walker – Heart Of A Woman
Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller – It Depends
Durand Bernarr – Overqualified
Leon Thomas – YES IT IS
Best Progressive R&B Album
Durand Bernarr – BLOOM – WINNER
Bilal – Adjust Brightness
Destin Conrad – LOVE ON DIGITAL
FLO – Access All Areas
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon – Come As You Are
Best R&B Album
GIVEON – BELOVED
Coco Jones – Why Not More
Ledisi – The Crown
Teyana Taylor – Escape Room
Leon Thomas – MUTT – WINNER
Best Rap Performance
Cardi B – Outside
Clipse, Pusha T and Malice featuring Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams – Chains & Whips – WINNER
Doechii – Anxiety
Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay – tv off
Tyler, The Creator featuring Teezo Touchdown – Darling, I
Best Melodic Rap Performance
Fridayy featuring Meek Mill – Proud Of Me
JID featuring Ty Dolla $ign and 6Lack – Wholeheartedly
Kendrick Lamar with SZA – luther – WINNER
Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon featuring Rapsody – WeMaj
PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake – SOMEBODY LOVES ME
SZA earned two alongside Kendrick Lamar for their collaboration luther
Best Rap Song
Doechii – Anxiety
Clipse, Pusha T and Malice featuring John Legend and Voices Of Fire – The Birds Don’t Sing
Tyler, The Creator featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne – Sticky
GloRilla – TGIF
Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay – tv off – WINNER
Best Rap Album
Clipse, Pusha T and Malice – Let God Sort Em Out
GloRilla – GLORIOUS
JID – God Does Like Ugly
Kendrick Lamar – GNX – WINNER
Tyler, The Creator – CHROMAKOPIA
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Queen Sheba – A Hurricane in Heels: healed people don’t act like that — partially recorded live @City Winery & other places
Marc Marcel – Black Shaman
Omari Hardwick & Anthony Hamilton – Pages
Saul Williams, Carlos Nino & Friends -Saul Williams Meets Carlos Niño & Friends At Treepeople
Mad Skillz – Words For Days Vol. 1 – WINNER
Best Jazz Performance
Lakecia Benjamin featuring Immanuel Wilkins and Mark Whitfield – Noble Rise
Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Brian Blade – Windows (Live) – WINNER
Samara Joy – Peace Of Mind / Dreams Come True
Michael Mayo – Four
Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach, Tom Scott, Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth and Sam Weber – All Stars Lead To You (Live)
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap – Elemental
Terri Lyne Carrington and Christie Dashiell featuring Weedie Braimah, Milena Casado, Morgan Guerin, Simon Moullier and Matthew Stevens – We Insist 2025
Samara Joy – Portrait – WINNER
Michael Mayo – Fly
Nicole Zuraitis, Dan Pugach, Tom Scott, Idan Morim, Keyon Harrold, Rachel Eckroth and Sam Weber – Live at Vic’s Las Vegas
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Brian Blade – Trilogy 3 (Live)
Sullivan Fortner featuring Peter Washington and Marcus Gilmore -Southern Nights – WINNER
Branford Marsalis Quartet – Belonging
John Patitucci featuring Chris Potter and Brian Blade – Spirit Fall
Yellowjackets – Fasten Up
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
The 8-Bit Big Band – Orchestrator Emulator
Christian McBride Big Band – Without Further Ado, Vol 1 – WINNER
Danilo Perez & Bohuslan Big Band – Lumen
Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra – Basie Rocks
Sun Ra Arkestra – Lights on a Satellite
Kenny Wheeler Legacy featuring The Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra and Frost Jazz Orchestra -Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores
Best Latin Jazz Album
Paquito D’Rivera and Madrid-New York Connection Band – La Fleur de Cayenne
Featuring Pedrito Martinez, Daymé Arocena, Jon Faddis, Donald Harrison and Melvis Santa – The Original Influencers: Dizzy, Chano & Chico Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Mundoagua – Celebrating Carla Bley
Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yainer Horta & Joey Calveiro – A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole – WINNER
Miguel Zenón Quartet – Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard
Best Alternative Jazz Album
Ambrose Akinmusire – honey from a winter stone
Robert Glasper – Keys To The City Volume One
Brad Mehldau – Ride into the Sun
Nate Smith – LIVE-ACTION – WINNER
Immanuel Wilkins – Blues Blood
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Laila Biali – Wintersongs
Jennifer Hudson – The Gift Of Love
Elton John and Brandi Carlile – Who Believes In Angels
Lady Gaga – Harlequin
Laufey – A Matter Of Time – WINNER
Barbra Streisand – The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume 2
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
ARKAI – Brightside – WINNER
Gerald Clayton – Ones & Twos
Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, Antonio Sánchez – BEATrio
Bob James and Dave Koz – Just Us
Charu Suri – Shayan
Best Musical Theater Album
Buena Vista Social Club (Original Broadway Cast) – WINNER
Death Becomes Her (Original Broadway Cast)
Gypsy (2024 Broadway Cast)
Just In Time (Original Broadway Cast)
Maybe Happy Ending (Original Broadway Cast)
Best Music Video
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Clipse – So Be It
Doechii – Anxiety – WINNER
OK Go – Love
Sade – Young Lion
Doechii took home Best Music Video for Anxiety
Best Music Film
Devo – Devo
Raye – Live At The Royal Albert Hall
Diane Warren – Relentless
John Williams – Music By John Williams – WINNER
Pharrell Williams – Piece By Piece
Best Recording Package
OK Go – And The Adjacent Possible
Mac Miller – Balloonerism
Duran Duran – Danse Macabre: De Luxe
Tsunami – Loud Is As
Various Artists – Sequoia
Mac Miller – The Spins — Picture Disc Vinyl
Bruce Springsteen – Tracks II: The Lost Albums – WINNER
Best Album Cover
Tyler, The Creator – CHROMAKOPIA – WINNER
Djo – The Crux
Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Perfume Genius – Glory
Wet Leg – moisturizer
Best Album Notes
Buck Owens And His Buckaroos – Adios, Farewell, Goodbye, Good Luck, So Long: On Stage 1964-1974
Anouar Brahem, Anja Lechner, Django Bates, Dave Holland – After The Last Sky
Amanda Ekery – Árabe
Sly & The Family Stone – The First Family: Live At Winchester Cathedral 1967
Wilco – A Ghost Is Born — 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Miles Davis – Miles ’55: The Prestige Recordings – WINNER
Best Historical Album
Joni Mitchell – Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years — 1976-1980 – WINNER
Nick Drake – The Making Of Five Leaves Left
Various Artists – Roots Rocking Zimbabwe – The Modern Sound Of Harare’ Townships 1975-1980 — Analog Africa No.41
Various Artists – Super Disco Pirata – De Tepito Para El Mundo 1965-1980 — Analog Africa No. 39
Doc Pomus – You Can’t Hip A Square: The Doc Pomus Songwriting Demos
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
Nate Smith Featuring säje – Big Fish – WINNER
Seth MacFarlane – How Did She Look
Jacob Collier – Keep An Eye On Summer
Lawrence – Something In The Water — Acoustic-Ish
Cody Fry – What A Wonderful World
Best Orchestral Performance
National Philharmonic – Coleridge-Taylor: Toussaint L’Ouverture, Ballade Op. 4, Suites From 24 Negro Melodies
Boston Symphony Orchestra -Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie – WINNER
Simon Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Of Venezuela – Ravel: Boléro, M. 81
The Philadelphia Orchestra – Still & Bonds
San Francisco Symphony – Stravinsky: Symphony In Three Movements
Best Opera Recording
Houston Grand Opera; Gene Scheer – Heggie: Intelligence – WINNER
American Composers Orchestra; David Henry Hwang – Huang Ruo: An American Soldier
Silvana Quartet; The Choir Of Trinity Wall Street – Kouyoumdjian: Adoration
Irish National Opera Orchestra; Mark O’Halloran – O’Halloran: Trade & Mary Motorhead
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus; George Brant – Tesori: Grounded
Best Choral Performance
Simon Barrad, Emily Yocum Black & Michael Hawes; Conspirare – Advena – Liturgies For A Broken World
Billy Childs, Dan Chmielinski, Christian Euman, Larry Koonse, Lyris Quartet, Anne Akiko Meyers, Carol Robbins & Luciana Souza; Los Angeles Master Chorale – Childs: In The Arms Of The Beloved
Steven Bradshaw, Michael Hawes, Lauren Kelly, Rebecca Siler & Elisa Sutherland; The Crossing – Lang: Poor Hymnal
Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Master Chorale – Ortiz: Yanga – WINNER
Brian Giebler & Sangeeta Kaur; The Clarion Choir – Requiem Of Light
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound – Dennehy: Land Of Winter – WINNER
Neave Trio – La Mer – French Piano Trios
Lili Haydn & Paul Cantelon – Lullabies For The Brokenhearted
Mak Grgic & Mateusz Kowalski – Slavic Sessions
Third Coast Percussion – Third Coast Percussion
Record Of The Year
Bad Bunny – DtMF
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Doechii – Anxiety
Billie Eilish – WILDFLOWER
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Kendrick Lamar With SZA – luther – WINNER
Chappell Roan – The Subway
ROSE, Bruno Mars – APT.
Best New Artist
Olivia Dean – WINNER
KATSEYE
The Marias
Addison Rae
sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Olivia Dean won the coveted Best New Artist gong
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
Dan Auerbach
Cirkut – WINNER
Dijon
Blake Mills
Sounwave
Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical
Amy Allen – WINNER
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Tobias Jesso Jr
Laura Veltz
Best Country Solo Performance
Tyler Childers – Nose On The Grindstone
Shaboozey – Good News
Chris Stapleton – Bad As I Used To Be — From F1 The Movie – WINNER
Zach Top – I Never Lie
Lainey Wilson – Somewhere Over Laredo
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton – A Song To Sing
Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson – Trailblazer
Margo Price and Tyler Childers – Love Me Like You Used To Do
Shaboozey and Jelly Roll – Amen – WINNER
George Strait, Chris Stapleton – Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame
Best Country Song
Tyler Childers – Bitin’ List – WINNER
Shaboozey – Good News
Zach Top – I Never Lie
Lainey Wilson – Somewhere Over Laredo
Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton – A Song To Sing
Best Traditional Country Album
Charley Crockett – Dollar A Day
Lukas Nelson – American Romance
Willie Nelson – Oh What A Beautiful World
Margo Price – Hard Headed Woman
Zach Top – Ain’t In It For My Health – WINNER
Best Contemporary Country Album
Kelsea Ballerini – Patterns
Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter
Eric Church – Evangeline Vs. The Machine
Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken – WINNER
Miranda Lambert – Postcards From Texas
Jelly Roll proudly took home Best Contemporary Country Album
Best American Roots Performance
Jon Batiste featuring Randy Newman -LONELY AVENUE
I’m With Her – Ancient Light
Jason Isbell – Crimson And Clay
Alison Krauss & Union Station – Richmond On The James
Mavis Staples – Beautiful Strangers – WINNER
Best Americana Performance
Sierra Hull – Boom
Maggie Rose and Grace Potter – Poison In My Well
Mavis Staples – Godspeed – WINNER
Molly Tuttle – That’s Gonna Leave A Mark
Jesse Welles – Horses
Best American Roots Song
I’m With Her – Ancient Light – WINNER
Jon Batiste – BIG MONEY
Jason Isbell – Foxes In The Snow
Jesse Welles – Middle
Sierra Hull – Spitfire
Best Americana Album
Jon Batiste – BIG MONEY – WINNER
Larkin Poe – Bloom
Willie Nelson – Last Leaf On The Tree
Molly Tuttle – So Long Little Miss Sunshine
Jesse Welles – Middle
Best Bluegrass Album
Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter – Carter & Cleveland
Sierra Hull – A Tip Toe High Wire
Alison Krauss & Union Station – Arcadia
The Steeldrivers – Outrun
Billy Strings – Highway Prayers – WINNER
Best Traditional Blues Album
Buddy Guy – Ain’t Done With The Blues – WINNER
Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room On The Porch
Maria Muldaur – One Hour Mama: The Blues Of Victoria Spivey
Charlie Musselwhite – Look Out Highway
Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Bobby Rush – Young Fashioned Ways
Best Contemporary Blues Album
Joe Bonamassa – Breakthrough
Samantha Fish – Paper Doll
Eric Gales – A Tribute To LJK
Robert Randolph – Preacher Kids – WINNER
Southern Avenue – Family
Best Folk Album
Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson – What Did The Blackbird Say To The Crow
Patty Griffin – Crown Of Roses
I’m With Her – Wild And Clear And Blue – WINNER
Jason Isbell – Foxes In The Snow
Jesse Welles – Under The Powerlines April 24 – September 24
Best Regional Roots Music Album
Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet – Live At Vaughan’s
Preservation Brass – For Fat Man
Kyle Roussel – Church Of New Orleans
Trombone Shorty And New Breed Brass Band – Second Line Sunday
Various Artists – A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco – WINNER
Best Gospel Performance/Song
Kirk Franklin – Do It Again
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, John Legend; Anthony S. Brown, Brunes Charles, Annatoria Chitapa, Kenneth Leonard, Jr., Tasha Cobbs Leonard & Jonas Myrin – Church
Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts; Britney Delagraentiss, Jonathan McReynolds, David Lamar Outing II, Orlando Joel Palmer & Terrell Demetrius Wilson – Still (Live)
Pastor Mike Jr.; Adia Andrews, Michael McClure Jr., David Lamar Outing II & Terrell Anthony Pettus – Amen
CeCe Winans featuring Shirley Caesar – Come Jesus Come – WINNER
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Elevation Worship, Chris Brown, Brandon Lake; Hank Bentley, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake and Jacob Sooter – I Know A Name
Forrest Frank and Pera – YOUR WAY’S BETTER
Brandon Lake With Jelly Roll; Chris Brown, Jason Bradley Deford, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings and Brandon Lake – Hard Fought Hallelujah – WINNER
Lecrae, Killer Mike, TI; Tyshane Thompson, Bongo ByTheWay, Michael Render, Lecrae Moore and Clifford Harris – Headphones
Darrel Walls, PJ Morton – Amazing
Best Gospel Album
Yolanda Adams – Sunny Days
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Tasha
Tamela Mann – Live Breathe Fight
Tye Tribbett – Only On The Road Live
Darrel Walls, PJ Morton – Heart Of Mine – WINNER
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Forrest Frank – CHILD OF GOD II
Israel & New Breed – Coritos Vol. 1 – WINNER
Brandon Lake – King Of Hearts
Lecrae – Reconstruction
Tauren Wells – Let The Church Sing
Best Roots Gospel Album
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – I Will Not Be Moved — Live – WINNER
Gaither Vocal Band – Then Came The Morning
The Isaacs – Praise & Worship: More Than A Hollow Hallelujah
Karen Peck & New River – Good Answers
Candi Staton – Back To My Roots
Best Latin Pop Album
Rauw Alejandro – Cosa Nuestra
Andrés Cepeda – BOGOTA DELUXE
KAROL G – Tropicoqueta
Natalia Lafourcade – Cancionera – WINNER
Alejandro Sanz – Y ahora que
Best Musica Urbana Album
Bad Bunny – DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS – WINNER
J Balvin – Mixteip
Feid – FERXXO VOL X: Sagrado
Nicki Nicole – NAIKI
Trueno – EUB DELUXE
Yandel – SINFONICO — En Vivo
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Aterciopelados – Genes Rebeldes
Bomba Estereo, Rawayana, ASTROPICAL – ASTROPICAL
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso – PAPOTA – WINNER
Los Wizzards – ALGORHYTHM
Fito Paez – Novela
Best Musica Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)
Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera – MALA MIA
Grupo Frontera – Y Lo Que Viene
Paola Jara – Sin Rodeos
Carín León – Palabra De To’s – Seca – WINNER
Bobby Pulido – Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya Y Una Mía – Por La Puerta Grande – En Vivo
Best Tropical Latin Album
Rubén Blades, Roberto Delgado & Orquesta – Fotografías
Gloria Estefan – Raíces – WINNER
Grupo Niche – Clasicos 1.0
Alain Perez – Bingo
Gilberto Santa Rosa – Debut y Segunda Tanda, Vol. 2
Best Global Music Performance
Bad Bunny – EoO – WINNER
Ciro Hurtado – Cantando en el Camino
Angelique Kidjo – JERUSALEMA
Yeisy Rojas – Inmigrante Y Que
Shakti – Shrini’s Dream (Live)
Anoushka Shankar featuring Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar – Daybreak
Best African Music Performance
Burna Boy – Love
Davido Featuring Omah Lay – With You
Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – Hope & Love
Ayra Starr Featuring Wizkid – Gimme Dat
Tyla – PUSH 2 START – WINNER
Best Global Music Album
Siddhant Bhatia – Sounds Of Kumbha
Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness
Youssou N’Dour – Eclairer le monde – Light the World
Shakti – Mind Explosion – 50th Anniversary Tour Live
Anoushka Shankar Featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar – Chapter III: We Return To Light
Caetano Veloso And Maria Bethânia -Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo – WINNER
Best Reggae Album
Lila Iké – Treasure Self Love
Vybz Kartel – Heart & Soul
Keznamdi – BLXXD & FYAH – WINNER
Mortimer – From Within
Jesse Royal – No Place Like Home
Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album
Kirsten Agresta-Copely – Kuruvinda
Cheryl B. Engelhardt, GEM, Dallas String Quartet – According To The Moon
Jahnavi Harrison – Into The Forest
Carla Patullo Featuring The Scorchio Quartet & Tonality – NOMADICA – WINNER
Chris Redding – The Colors In My Mind
Best Children’s Music Album
Joanie Leeds & Joya – Ageless: 100 Years Young
Mega Ran – Buddy’s Magic Tree House
FYÜTCH & Aura V – Harmony – WINNER
Flor Bromley – Herstory
Tori Amos – The Music Of Tori And The Muses
Best Comedy Album
Bill Burr – Drop Dead Years
Sarah Silverman – PostMortem
Ali Wong – Single Lady
Jamie Foxx – What Had Happened Was…
Nate Bargatze – Your Friend, Nate Bargatze – WINNER
Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording
Kathy Garver – Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story
Trevor Noah – Into The Uncut Grass
Ketanji Brown Jackson – Lovely One: A Memoir
Dalai Lama – Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama – WINNER
Fab Morvan – You Know It’s True: The Real Story Of Milli Vanilli
Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
A Complete Unknown
F1 The Album
KPop Demon Hunters
Sinners – WINNER
Wicked
Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television)
How To Train Your Dragon
Severance: Season 2
Sinners – WINNER
Wicked
The Wild Robot
Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires
Helldivers 2
Indiana Jones And The Great Circle
Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate’s Fortune
Sword of the Sea – WINNER
Best Song Written For Visual Media
Nine Inch Nails – As Alive As You Need Me To Be (From TRON: Ares)
HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI – Golden (From KPop Demon Hunters)
Miles Caton – I Lied to You (From Sinners)
Elton John, Brandi Carlile – Never Too Late (From Elton John: Never Too Late)
Jayme Lawson – Pale, Pale Moon (From Sinners)
Rod Wave – Sinners (From Sinners)
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Cam – All Things Light
Alison Krauss & Union Station -Arcadia
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes & sad women
Pino Palladino, Blake Mills – That Wasn’t A Dream – WINNER
Best Engineered Album, Classical
Sandbox Percussion – Cerrone: Don’t Look Down
Franz Welser-Möst & The Cleveland Orchestra – Eastman: Symphony No. 2; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2
Andris Nelsons, Kristine Opolais, Günther Groissböck, Peter Hoare, Brenden Gunnell & Boston Symphony Orchestra – Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth Of The Mtsensk District
Third Coast Percussion – Standard Stoppages
Trio Mediæval – Yule
Producer Of The Year, Classical
Blanton Alspaugh
Sergei Kvitko
Morten Lindberg
Dmitriy Lipay
Elaine Martone
Best Immersive Audio Album
Duckwrth – All American F—boy
Justin Gray – Immersed – WINNER
Various Artists – An Immersive Tribute To Astor Piazzolla (Live)
Tearjerkers – Tearjerkers
Trio Mediæval – Yule
Best Instrumental Composition
Nordkraft Big Band, Remy Le Boeuf & Danielle Wertz – First Snow – WINNER
Miho Hazama, Danish Radio Big Band & Danish National Symphony Orchestra – Live Life This Day: Movement I
Sierra Hull – Lord, That’s A Long Way
Zain Effendi – Opening
John Powell & Stephen Schwartz – Train To Emerald City
Ludwig Goransson Featuring Miles Caton – Why You Here / Before The Sun Went Down
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
Cynthia Erivo – Be Okay
Nordkraft Big Band & Remy Le Boeuf – A Child Is Born
The Westerlies – Fight On
The 8-Bit Big Band – Super Mario Praise Break – WINNER
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
National Philharmonic – Coleridge-Taylor: 3 Selections From 24 Negro Melodies
Venezuela Strings Recording Ensemble – Hope Orchestrated
Adam Tendler – Inheritances
Malmö Opera Orchestra – Price: Piano Concerto In One Movement In D Minor
Boston Symphony Orchestra -Shostakovich: The Cello Concertos – WINNER
Boston Symphony Orchestra -Shostakovich: The Piano Concertos; Solo Works
Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
National Symphonia Orchestra – Alike – My Mother’s Dream
Sidney Outlaw, Warren Jones – Black Pierrot
Devony Smith, Danny Zelibor, Michael Nicolas – In This Short Life
Susan Narucki, Curtis Macomber -Kurtág: Kafka Fragments
Rupert Boyd, Julia Bullock, Alex Levine, Andrew Owens, Rubén Rengel & Sam Weber – Schubert Beatles
Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra – Telemann: Ino – Opera Arias For Soprano – WINNER
Best Classical Compendium
Cerrone: Don’t Look Down
The Dunbar/Moore Sessions, Vol. II
Ortiz: Yanga – WINNER
Seven Seasons
Tombeaux
Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Conor Hanick & Sandbox Percussion Cerrone: Don’t Look Down
Alan Pierson & Alarm Will Sound – Dennehy: Land Of Winter
Edward Gardner & London Philharmonic Orchestra – León: Raíces — Origins
Will Liverman, Paul Sánchez & Various Artists – Okpebholo: Songs In Flight
Alisa Weilerstein, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic – Ortiz: Dzonot – WINNER
