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On Saturday, Clive Davis‘s star-studded pre-Grammy Gala returned for the first time since 2020, bringing together music icons, Grammy nominees, Oscar winners, politicians, Hollywood execs and tech titans to pay homage, celebrate and perform.
“I feel really lucky to be invited and be with so many legends,” Machine Gun Kelly, a first time guest, told Vanity Fair on the red carpet as he made his way into the gala. “I’m here with my wife [Megan Fox], so we’re going to have fun and celebrate. I hear it’s a cool party, the best party to be at.”
Kelly will be attending the ceremony on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles as a first time Grammy nominee hoping to take home the award for best rock album. “I have so much gratitude. It means so much to me,” he said. “To be in the same category with Ozzy Osbourne, Elvis Costello, Idles and Spoon is crazy.”
Inside the Beverly Hilton’s famed ballroom, Kelly and Fox sat directly in front of the stage and were swarmed by guests. Avril Lavigne was among many that stopped by and had a long talk with Fox. Chance the Rapper and Diplo also greeted the couple while a few tables over were Lizzo and Cardi B. The two exchanged hugs and shared a boisterous conversation before Janelle Monáe joined in on the chat.
Across the room, Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson convened with Oscar winner Adrien Brody and his girlfriend, Marchesa fashion designer Georgina Chapman. Close by were Demi Lovato and her boyfriend Jutes. They posed for selfies and mingled with Olivia Rodrigo.
The evening’s festivities began with Kevin Costner paying tribute to Whitney Houston, his co-star from the 1992 hit film The Bodyguard, and to honor Davis, who discovered Houston and mentored the late singer throughout her entire career. Houston died tragically in 2012 due to an accidental drowning (with contributing factors of heart disease and cocaine use) in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton the night before the Grammy Awards. She was staying at the hotel to attend Davis’s party that year.
“For Clive, The Bodyguard will always be about the singer. It would always be about Whitney and that was all right with me,” Costner told the audience during his 11-minute speech about his unique relationship with Davis. “If Whitney didn’t work, the movie doesn’t either. That clarity, that single mindedness is what I love about Clive.”
Costner continued his remarks to say Davis changed many lives for the better and began to choke up, fighting back his emotions when he spoke about Houston’s death. “Neither one of us in the end could protect your beloved Whitney, but your fingerprints on her life are clean my friend. Clive, you are a miracle in her life,” Costner said. “Thank you for being her bodyguard Clive, and for every person in this room that you have stood behind and stood for. Everyone in this business has a mom, but not everyone gets a Clive.”
Jennifer Hudson took to the stage to pay her respects by singing a rendition of Houston’s 1986 hit “Greatest Love of All” and received a standing ovation.
JC Chasez of NSYNC fame has been invited to Davis’s party numerous times and enjoys that details are never released in advance. “I love that this event is full of surprises. You never know coming in who all is going to be performing,” he said. “You’re always surprised by who actually goes up there.”
This year’s surprise performers included Lizzo, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello with Latin Grammy winner Juanes, Lil Wayne, Grammy nominated Italian rockers Måneskin, and Frankie Valli. The 88-year-old Valli sang “Can’t Take My Eyes off You,” which made Chance the Rapper, Kelly and Fox jump to their feet and sing along to the chorus line “I love you baby!”
In between sets, Apple CEO Tim Cook was spotted deep in discussion with Hollywood producer Brian Grazer. Nearby Charlie Puth spoke with Oscar and Grammy winner H.E.R. Across the room congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi made the rounds and said hello to singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile. The three exchanged pleasantries and posed for photographs together.
Carlile is nominated for a whopping seven Grammys, including the coveted album of the year award. “To be nominated feels amazing because it’s my peers, it’s the people that I see at work everyday and play music with that are recognizing me,” said Carlile during red carpet arrivals. “No way did I think I would get that many. Nobody thought about that. That’s a dream beyond what I ever dreamed about. I just wanted to sing. It’s hard to conceptualize.”
Carlile is also scheduled to perform a live set at the Grammys. She recalled the very first live performance she attended, which was The Judds in concert in 1988. “It was absolutely incredible. To see Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd, I will never forget it,” she said. “The Judds were really powerful and Wynonna Judd is still a very, very powerful artist. They were actually my first, second and third concert. That’s how much I love their music.”
Grammy winner Cardi B, dressed in a stunning Roberto Cavalli dress, attended the gala with her husband Offset to present her Atlantic Records bosses Julie Greenwald and Craig Kallman with the Recording Academy’s annual Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award.
“When I was in the middle of making my first album, I was very scared. I was pregnant and I was afraid to tell anymore. I was afraid that people would want me to decide between my family and my career,” said Cardi B in her remarks. “But with Craig and Julie the exact opposite happened. They told me I could do both and I would never forget that. Craig held my hand during the entire time of making my album and it wasn’t easy, y’all … Julie, you’re such an inspiration. When I was crying you told me it was ok, and we will get things done. You’re such a boss ass bitch and such a wonderful mother. You’re the one that taught me you could have it all. And for that I truly thank you.”
Other guests included Lil Nas X, Troye Sivan, Joni Mitchell, country star Luke Combs, Sharon Stone, Smokey Robinson, and Grammy winner Miranda Lambert.
“Tonight is about making new friends outside of the country world,” said Lambert on the red carpet. “It’s a night where you come hang and have fun and see other artists in different genres and different occupations. Last time I sat with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson and they were amazing. It was a great table to be at. We had too much fun. There’s really no other party like this one.”
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Paul Chi
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