Grammys 2025 best, worst moments from Beyoncé’s big win to Billie and Chappell
Bey’s day has finally come.
After four previous Album of the Year nominations, Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” — a groundbreaking, genre-bucking country collection — lassoed the top Grammy that had long eluded the pop superstar.
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” she said in a victory speech that was a long time coming.
Despite her staggering success on music’s biggest night — she became the most-awarded artist in Grammy history in 2023 — Beyoncé had never won the award that matters most: Album of the Year. But after losses for “I Am … Sasha Fierce” in 2010, “Beyoncé” in 2015, “Lemonade” in 2017 and “Renaissance” in 2023, she broke the streak on Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Her big victory comes one year after hubby Jay-Z called the Grammys out about as he accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award last year: “She has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work.”
Beyoncé led the contenders with 11 nominations on Sunday night — the most ever by a female artist in a single year. And after setting another record with 99 nominations coming into the 67th annual awards, she added to her historic Grammy haul with three wins for “Cowboy Carter,” bringing her total to 35.
The other big winner was Kendrick Lamar, who took home five trophies — including Record and Song of the Year” for “Not Like Us” — the week before he headlines the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, Charli xcx picked up three awards for her “Brat” album, while Sabrina Carpenter bagged two gramophones” for her “Short n’ Sweet” LP and Chappell Roan was crowned Best New Artist.
Taylor Swift, though, was shut out for “The Tortured Poets Department.”
After the devastation caused by the LA wildfires last month, the Grammys — hosted for the fifth consecutive year by Trevor Noah — went on by adding fundraising to the festivities. And on a night where the healing power of music was the ultimate winner, here are some of the best — and worst — moments.
WORST: Dawes
The Grammys’ heart was in the right place with having Dawes open the show with a cover of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” After all, both Goldsmith brothers — Taylor (who is married to Mandy Moore) and Griffin — suffered devastating losses during the wildfires.
But even with the all-star backing of John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, Brad Paisley and St. Vincent, this was an underwhelming opener. And given that Dawes weren’t even nominated, it didn’t feel like an honor they deserved.
BEST: Billie Eilish
Eilish was the picture of breezy chill delivering her hit “Birds of a Feather.” But there was an emotional depth to go along with her low-key cool.
It was performed against a backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains and Eaton Canyon in Altadena, near where Eilish and Finneas grew up in Los Angeles, and images of their childhood days playing in the foothills and trails of the canyon were interspersed throughout.
Rocking an LA Dodgers hat, she turned the love song into a a love letter to LA. “We love you LA,” she said at the end. It was just as touching in its own way as her performance of “What Was I Made For?” last year.
BEST: Chappell Roan
The Best New Artist winner took us to “The Pink Pony Club” with a high-hoofing performance complete with a giant carousel pony (pink, naturally), rodeo clowns and a memorable singalong. It was a surprise that Roan didn’t do “Good Luck, Babe!” — since it was nominated for both Record and Song of the Year — but then again, the track about a strip club in West Hollywood was her own way to pay tribute to Los Angeles.
BEST: Doechii
First, the rapper was fittingly awarded the Best Rap Album gramophone for “Alligator Bites Never Heal” by Cardi B — one of only two other women to ever win this category. And then she delivered a speech for the ages. Then Doechii returned to own the stage with a killer performance of “Catfish” and “Denial Is a River.” Even though she went on to lose for Best New Artist, the rapper arguably won the night.
BEST: Tay presents Best Country Album to Bey
It was a moment gifted to us from the diva heavens when Taylor Swift — flaunting a “T” chain around her upper thigh — presented Best Country Album to Beyoncé for “Cowboy Carter.” After Swift got her start in country music, it was a full-circle moment to give the award to the first black woman ever to win. And Bey, despite being the winningest artist in Grammy history, looked genuinely shocked to hear her name called.
WORST: Khruangbin
The Texan trio was lucky to get a spot as part of the Best New Artist performances. But they paled next to all of the nominees, including Benson Boone, Raye, Teddy Swims and Shaboozey.
BEST: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Instead of performing their Grammy-winning duet “Die with a Smile,” Gaga and Mars proved to be a powerhouse pairing again singing the Beach Boys classic “California Dreaming.” Now this should’ve been the performance to open the show in tribute to LA? At this point, we need a duets album from them.
BEST/WORST: The Quincy Jones tribute
The tribute to the Grammy legend, who passed away last year, was a mixed bag. Why exactly was Lainey Wilson a part of it? But Stevie Wonder, leading a singalong of “We Are the World,” and Janelle Monáe, channeling Michael Jackson on “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” did Q justice.
WORST: The Weeknd
While it was good to see The Weeknd come back to the Grammys after his boycott, his surprise performance of new song “Cry for Me” — from his just-released album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” — felt unnecessary on a night where there were so many worthy nominated performances. It was just kinda meh. And the way he was shrouded throughout the entire thing, can we even be sure that it was him?
