What You Didn’t See on TV

Beyoncé made history when she picked up the night’s highest honor, album of the year, with a win for her country album Cowboy Carter. It was a years-in-the-making victory that propelled Queen Bey to the top of the Grammy history books with a total of 35 trophies in her illustrious career. The announcement of the album of the year category was the most anticipated of the night by far. The audience, and millions watching around the globe, waited to see if Beyoncé would pull it off, and some of those who were seated inside Crypto.com Arena were literally on the edge of their seats. That included Lady Gaga and Cynthia Erivo, who were spotted by The Hollywood Reporter holding hands and holding space for Beyoncé.

Beyoncé’s album of the year victory for Cowboy Carter delivered a big moment for the superstar artist, propelling her to a whopping 35 Grammy wins throughout her career. But it also delivered quite a celebration for her family. After Bey delivered her speech and exited the stage with her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-Z felt the love from a host of A-list pals who rushed over to the rapper and business mogul to offer their congratulations. Taylor Swift offered a cheers, Will Smith gave Jay a hug, as did Lady Gaga, Gayle King and many other industry insiders, as seen below.

Cynthia Erivo — the Oscar-nominated star of Wicked who had official duties during the telecast as a performer during the Quincy Jones tribute — was among the late arrivals to the floor seats on Sunday night. She arrived minutes after the telecast went live and during host Trevor Noah’s monologue. Accompanied by an escort, Erivo weaved her way through the tables filled with A-list stars until Taylor Swift welcomed her over to a seat next to her. The two hugged and hung out for a segment before Erivo found her way to another table where she spent the rest of the night sitting next to partner Lena Waithe.

Charli XCX picked up three Grammy Awards on Sunday before helping close the show with a raucous performance of two songs of her culture-shifting record brat, including “Von Dutch” and “Guess.” During her introductory clip, Charli asked, “What is a Charli XCX party like?” She answered with a tongue-in-cheek answer: “Wholesome. Nothing illegal.” It was a bit of a gag since bras and panties dropped from the ceiling during the club-style showing. TV cameras captured Billie Eilish rocking out, which was a cute moment since Eilish appears on the “Guess” remix. What broadcast cameras didn’t capture was Taylor Swift dancing up a storm while holding a gold champagne bottle in one hand and a glass of bubbly in the other.

Yes, the directors monitoring the many broadcast TV cameras maintained focus on Taylor Swift for much of the night. And why wouldn’t they? The global superstar remains the most animated, energetic and supportive guest at just about every live television event she attends. Swift is almost always the first to jump to her feet with a standing ovation or to offer cheers and applause, like she did when tour mate Sabrina Carpenter won for her album Short n’ Sweet. But THR happened to catch her doing just that when TV cameras weren’t hawking her every movie. See below for a sampling of some of Swift’s major moments on Sunday night.

The best new artist nominees got a stellar Grammys showcase with high-energy performances from Chappell Roan, Benson Boone, Doechii, Teddy Swims, Raye, Khruangbin and Shaboozey. After the latter performed his blockbuster single “Tipsy,” Roan roamed her way back to her table before taking a bit of a tumble into a guest who was seated on the floor. She recovered quickly and walked straight ahead to her table. Moments later, she was crowned the winner in the category and she went on to deliver a passionate plea for livable wages for fledgling recording artists.

Alicia Keys has won armfuls of Grammys during her impressive career. She added another trophy on Sunday night as she received the Dr. Dre global impact award for her philanthropic endeavors. Keys, accompanied at the event by her husband, Swizz Beatz, and son, Genesis, delivered a powerful speech that at times turned political. She praised her peers as “hard-working people from different backgrounds with different points of view,” and then said, “(Diversity, equity and inclusion) is not a threat, it’s a gift.” The declaration seemed to be in direct response to President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle DEI programs and his continued claims that DEI initiatives are to be blamed for such tragedies as the recent airline collision in Washington, D.C. As Keys continued her speech, Lady Gaga repeatedly blew kisses toward the stage.

After picking up best country album for Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé spent much of the evening backstage. But when she finally returned to her seat on the floor, she received a steady stream of congratulations, well wishes and hugs from fans and A-list pals (not to mention many selfie requests). THR spotted her catching up with Grammy presenter Queen Latifah.

Kendrick Lamar completed a clean sweep on Sunday night, picking up record of the year, song of the year, best rap performance, best rap song and best music video for his anthem “Not Like Us.” After his record of the year victory, Taylor Swift turned heads as she showed off her moves as Lamar made his way to the stage.

Behind-the-scenes moments are always fun to see as the telecast unfolds, especially considering what a broadcasting feat the Grammy Awards are with back-to-back performances of so many superstar artists with location changes, technical elements, bands and backup dancers. Shakira got a spin in the spotlight to perform “Ojos Así” from her 1998 album Dónde Están los Ladrones? as well as the current hit “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” from her latest (and Grammy Award-winning) album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. THR spotted the global superstar as she was getting in position to shake her hips. No lie.

Best new artist nominee Shaboozey performed his blockbuster, chart-topping single “Tipsy” on Sunday night. The crowd seemed to love every ounce of the Virginia native’s performance, and that included Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy Carter. The two got on their feet to soak it in, while best new artist nominee Teddy Swims was swimming in the rhythm.

Billie Eilish and brother Finneas performed their latest hit single, “Birds of a Feather,” near the top of the show. During the following commercial break, the Grammy Award-winning siblings made their way to the arena floor, and it took them quite a while to find their seats as they were stopped along the way by many bold-faced-name pals like Alicia Keys, Janelle Monaé and Victoria Monet.

All eyes were on Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for most the night, but those eyeballs did not get to focus on the former until she finally arrived late in the telecast. THR spotted her with husband Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter arriving during Chappell Roan’s electric performance of “Pink Pony Club.” The family found their table with just seconds to spare before Swift announced Cowboy Carter as the winner of best country album.

Miley Cyrus said from the stage that she turned up at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards for two reasons: “One, look at this gown. How could I tell my custom Alaïa that she had nowhere to go? Yeah, it’s sickening. And to announce this year’s winner for record of the year.” She actually squeezed in a few more for good measure, including taking a picture during commercial break with her mother, Tish Cyrus, and rapper Latto, as seen below.

Global superstar Jennifer Lopez returned to the Grammy Awards on Sunday night with official duties to present best Latin pop album in a category that eventually went to her former Super Bowl Halftime Show stage mate Shakira. Lopez, whose iconic Grammy gown remains one of the most buzzed-about fashion choices 25 years later, had a big weekend in Los Angeles. On Saturday night, she joined her longtime manager, power rep and producer Benny Medina, for Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy gala, at which she got a special shout-out from the mogul himself. As it turned out, both of her nights featured front-row seats to electric performances from best new artist nominee Benson Boone. At one of the night’s afterparties, a source told THR that Lopez requested to sit next to “a cute guy” during the Grammys telecast, and producers seemingly responded to putting her at the same table as Boone, who stood up in a tuxedo to start performing his hit “Beautiful Things” before it was ripped off with the help of Heidi Klum and Nikki Glaser. Lopez looked to be enjoying the moment, leading some news outlets to speculate that there was more going on. That said, per People, Boone is currently in a relationship with an influencer.

First responders received a lot of love during Sunday night’s telecast as everyone from Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar to Lady Gaga and Trevor Noah showed them with praise and appreciation for their work battling L.A.’s wildfires. Noah announced during the show that upwards of $7 million had been raised for “amazing causes” just from viewers at home. As of press time, no official number had been released, but the tally has surely continued to climb thanks to donations from inside the arena as well as funds received at the bar. THR spotted a custom margarita called L.A. Strong being poured at select locations with proceeds benefitting the L.A. Fire Relief Fund.

Well, that’s a wrap on things you didn’t see on the broadcast TV cameras during the 67th annual Grammy Awards. But before we sign off, we’ll leave you with a parting gift of one last item before you go. In lieu of gift bags, Grammy Awards guests got the option of snagging a snack for the ride home courtesy of Lay’s. At the exits of Crypto.com Arena, staffers doled out Grammys-branded bags of classic potato chips.