The 68th Grammy Awards aren’t just a night of music industry awards, but a rock star celebration of music itself.
There was a slew of showstopping performances at this year’s awards ceremony, hosted at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, one of which featured all seven nominees for the best new artist category inlcuding Olivia Dean, Lola Young, and Sombr.
Other performances included the in memoriam segment of the show, which featured country superstar Reba McEntire performing at the Grammys for the first time, the return of Lauryn Hill to honor the late D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, and a supergroup metal cover dedicated to the late Ozzy Osbourne.
Notably absent from the performance stage was Bad Bunny, who said he wouldn’t perform, likely because of his Super Bowl halftime show commitment, but that didn’t stop host Trevor Noah from trying to bait him throughout the night.
However, there were plenty of other performances that electrified the night at the Grammy Awards. Here are all the stars who took the stage.
Bruno Mars and Rosé — “APT.”
Bruno Mars and Rosé kicked off the 68th Grammy Awards with their collaborative hit “APT.” The song reached major milestones for the artists, becoming the most-streamed globally on Apple Music in 2025 and spending 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Chart and 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard Global 200 Chart. “APT.” also earned three nominations at this year’s ceremony for song of the year, record of the year, and best pop duo/group performance.
“I’m watching the 2026 Grammys and I’ve got some thoughts so this might be a long thread. They started off strong with Bruno Mars and ROSÉ performing ‘APT.’ The dancers in the front were so excited, jumping up and down and making it feel like an actual concert. That’s the energy award shows need fr. It was so short though,” a user on Threads wrote.
Sabrina Carpenter — “Manchild”
It’s not a Sabrina Carpenter performance without top-tier costume and set design, and she was ready to fly at the show. She descended from a baggage claim carousel out of an airplane, performed the lead single from last year’s “Man’s Best Friend” alongside dancers at the airport dressed in everyman garb, and tested how many F-bombs she could drop during the live broadcast. Carpenter was nominated in six categories for this year’s Grammys.
“I know that everyone complains that the Grammys don’t give out enough awards and that it’s all just performances, but that Sabrina Air number is exactly what we need in live shows like this. Like there are just not enough performers putting in that kind of EFFORT anymore and I appreciate her commitment to the character always,” a Threads user wrote.
The Marías — “No One Noticed”
Los Angeles’ own The Marías performed “No One Noticed” from “Submarine” in an ethereal, deep-ocean production set that has also been featured on stage at their various festival performances. Some fans of the group online pointed out that the group has been around for at least a decade and may not belong in the new artist category, but deserve their due.
“The Best New Artist contenders are always so interesting bc What do you mean NEW when The Marias have been around for like 10 years,” a Threads user wrote.
Addison Rae — “Fame is a Gun”
Addison Rae’s set began outside, with the singer dressed in a purple trench coat and standing on the back of a truck. She hopped off and dropped the coat, revealing a sparkly purple bra top and matching shorts that got plenty of cheers from the crowd, but some people online didn’t appreciate her being backstage.
“wow. they really made addison stay in the backstage area. that’s not cool,” a Threads user wrote.
Katseye — “Gnarly”
The K-Pop group followed Rae with their own coordinated dance moves, wrapped in a touch of combat gear. The group was nominated for best new artist and best pop duo/group performance.
Leon Thomas — “MUTT”
Leon Thomas came out with one of the smoothest performances of the night with his single, “MUTT,” off the album with the same name. Thomas received nominations for album of the year, best R&B album, best new artist, best traditional R&B, best R&B song performance, and best R&B performance.
“Olivia, Katseye, and Leon have been the best part of this Best New Artist showcase,” a Threads user wrote.
Alex Warren — “Ordinary”
Alex Warren followed with the performance of his single “Ordinary,” off of his album “You’ll Be Alright, Kid.”
Lola Young — “Messy”
There was a change of pace when Lola Young took the stage for her ballad “Messy,” off of her album, “This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway.” The song was much slower than the dance hits in the category, but it conveyed a vulnerability that’s earned her a dedicated fanbase. Young was nominated for best new artist and best pop solo performance.
“Just 45 minutes into The Grammys and Lola Young has already made me cry. ✨️” a Threads user wrote.
Olivia Dean — “Man I Need”
The winner in the best new category was Olivia Dean, whose performance showcases her groove and elegance with her assembled band, known for its brass section that warms her delicate yet mesmerizing vocals. Her nomination for best new artist was her first and is now marked with a win.
Sombr — “12 to 12”
Sombr was the youngest solo artist in the best new artist category at age 20, and he delivered a pop performance in a crop-top mirror-ball suit of his hit “12 to 12” from his album “I Barely Know Her.”
“Anybody else really love Sombr?! I think he’s my fave new artist. And look at him all mirrorballed out!,” wrote a Threads user.
Justin Bieber — “Yukon”
In just a pair of boxers and socks, Justin Bieber came out with his guitar to deliver a performance of “Yukon” off his 2025 album “Swag.” The song earned him a nomination in the best R&B performance, and he picked up three additional ones, including album of the year, best pop vocal album and best pop solo performance.
“Justin Bieber just gave the type of performance that makes you shake your head and scrunch your face. Full body chills,” a user wrote on Threads.
Lady Gaga — “Abracadabra”
In true Lady Gaga fashion, the pop queen did not disappoint with her stage theatrics for her performance at the ceremony. Gaga performed “Abracadabra” with rock guitars and drummer Josh Freese, spending much of the performance behind a keyboard, dressed in red bird feathers, her face enclosed in a cage-like contraption that evoked a sense of dark magic.
Bruno Mars — “I Just Might”
Although Bruno Mars assisted with the night’s opening performance, he also showcased his latest solo music after a 10-year hiatus. The performance of his single “I Just Might” off of his upcoming release, “The Romantic,” was on par with his next album’s theme. Mars and a full band, complete with a horn section, performed in red suits against a heart-shaped backdrop.
Tyler, the Creator — Mashup
Tyler, the Creator has established himself as a unique trailblazer in hip-hop since he first hit the scene in his Odd Future days. He took the stage to perform “Thought I Was Dead” and “Like Him” from 2024’s “CHROMAKOPIA,” dressed as a soldier leading a marching line.
The album earned him five nominations, including album of the year, best rap performance, best rap song, best rap album, and best album cover. He was also nominated for best alternative music album for “Don’t Tap the Glass” and performed “Sugar On My Tongue” at the show, wearing a red jumpsuit that was a signature of the album’s cover and also resembled Michael Jackson (his dance moves did too). The end of the performance unfolded at a gas station set that ultimately exploded, leaving Tyler slightly charred offstage.
“Seeing Tyler giving MJ Billie Jean vibes in his Grammy performance is so cool to see. Even the gas station scene reminded me of the video for ‘The Way You Make Me Feel.’ What a homage to the GOAT,” a Threads user wrote.
Reba McEntire — “Trailblazer”
Despite being a country superstar, Reba McEntire had never performed at the Grammy Awards until this ceremony. McEntire performed “Trailblazer” with Lukas Nelson to honor her step-son, Brandon Blackstock, who died in August from cancer. The rendition was beautiful and moved the crowd to tears, and left people at home wondering why McEntire had never performed at the awards show before.
Post Malone, Slash, Andrew Watt, Duff McKagan, and Chad Smith — “War Pig”
As another part of the memorial, Post Malone, Slash, Andrew Watt, Duff McKagan, and Chad Smith performed a special tribute to Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” in honor of the late prince of darkness and godfather of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne. The Osbourne family was in attendance and visibly moved to tears by the supergroup’s effort.
Lauryn Hill — Mashup
The last time Lauryn Hill was on a Grammy stage was in 1999, but tonight she appeared at a special tribute to the late neo-soul and R&B artist D’Angelo and the legendary Roberta Flack, which surprised fans worldwide.
The female rapper has nabbed eight Grammys, more than any other female in that category, and, alongside a slew of megastars, performed “Nothing Even Matters” / “Brown Sugar” featuring Lucky Daye, “Lady” featuring Raphael Saadiq & Anthony Hamilton, “Devils Pie” featuring Leon Thomas, “Another Life,” “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” featuring Bilal, “Africa” featuring Jon Batiste; “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” featuring Jon Batiste “Compared To What” featuring Leon Bridges & Alexia Jayy “Closer I Get To You” featuring Lalah Hathaway & October London, “Where Is The Love” featuring John Legend and Chaka Khan, “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Killing Me Softly with His Song” featuring Wyclef Jean.
Clipse — “So Far Ahead”
Hip-Hop Pusha-T and Malice, aka Clipse, were joined by Pharrell Williams and a gospel backing group in black robes. The three singers performed “So Far Ahead” from “Let God Sort Them Out,” which earned the group five nominations: album of the year, best rap album, best rap performance, best music video, and best rap song.
