The 62nd Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles’s Staples Center. Hosted by Alicia Keys, the night was quite a spectacle, with many amazing wins, losses, and snubs. However, the event was overshadowed by grief over basketball star Kobe Bryant, who had died in a helicopter crash that morning. Many artists dedicated their performances to him and his daughter Gianna Bryant. Lizzo concluded her performances of Cuz I Love You and Truth Hurts, by saying “Tonight is for Kobe.” This sentiment was echoed by many others that night, including host Alicia Keys, who performed It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye with the group Boys II Men.
The night was a rousing success for Billie Eilish, who went home with not only Record of the Year, but also Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Artist. Lizzo, who had the most nominations out of any artist with eight, won three out of those eight, including Best Pop Solo Performance for Truth Hurts. Lil Nas X and Eilish had the second most nominations, each with six, and Eilish and her brother Finneas won five awards each, the most out of anyone that night. Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus earned Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Old Town Road, and Eilish won five Grammys total, making her the first artist to win all the “Big Four” categories in one night since Christopher Cross in 1981.
As with any awards show, there were many snubs and controversial decisions made for the 2020 Grammy Awards. Many were outraged by the fact that Taylor Swift only received three nominations, for Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Pop Solo Performance – none of which she won. Bruce Springsteen was completely shut out of the ceremony, receiving no nominations for his film Springsteen on Broadway or his album Western Stars. The Jonas Brothers were only nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and pop music’s current power couple, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, only received one nomination for Señorita.
Los Angeles’ Staples Center not only got to witness an amazing night for Billie Eilish but also some incredible performances. Lizzo kicked off the show with her songs Cuz I Love You and Truth Hurts, and Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton performed their single Nobody But You. The Jonas Brothers, all dressed in gold-accented suits, played their new singles What a Man Gotta Do and Five More Minutes. Other notable performers included Tyler the Creator, Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Rosalía, and Billie Eilish.