ELIZABETH SUSKI
Special to The Leader
A night filled with your favorite artists winning awards seems like the perfect way to start a new week! The 61st Grammy Awards took place last Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The award show was broadcasted live on CBS.
With February being Black History Month, it only makes sense to have singer and songwriter Alicia Keys be the host. Keys is known for her hits like “Girl On Fire” and “If I Ain’t Got You.” She is also known for being a judge on seasons 11, 12 and 14 of the hit television show, “The Voice.”
Keys has won 15 Grammys during her career.
She started off the show with love, saying, “Music is our shared global language.”
It’s true. Everyone, no matter differences or disabilities, understands music. It’s in our DNA.
Keys had help from Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michelle Obama and Jennifer Lopez. All five women gave wonderful input, especially Lady Gaga who said, “Music told me not to listen to them.”
Lady Gaga has struggled with self-image since the release of her debut single “Just Dance” in 2008.
Miley Cyrus and Shawn Mendes’ performance was one of the best of the night. And it may because I have a major crush on the Canadian singer Mendes(but I mean, who doesn’t)?
John Mayer presented the other half of the Grammy he won in 2004, so that his half could be reunited with the half he gave to Keys. It added a bit of humor to the story and to the show.
Then, of course, came the amazing Dolly Parton — who looked the same as she did when I last saw her years ago on the Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana.”
Her performance of “Jolene” with Miley Cyrus brought tears to my eyes, and suddenly I was thrown back to my childhood when she was a recurring guest.
Along with celebrity award shows comes questionable celebrity outfit choices.
I’m all for hot fashion, but some of the outfits I saw last night had me thinking, “What in the world are they doing?” If I decided to wear a dress like the one Anna Kendrick wore, people might think I am trying to be one with the shag rug I have in my bedroom.
On the other side of the fashion spectrum, actress Nina Dobrev from “The Vampire Diaries” looked absolutely stunning in her pale pink dress.
Singer Diana Ross looked like a queen in her red ball gown. And, of course, Alicia Keys rocked every outfit she wore, including the first teal dress with the bright multi-colored headwrap.
A pivotal point in the show was the Motown tribute.
Even though Jennifer Lopez rocked it like always, I was a bit confused as to why they picked her to perform. But when she started to sing, “Now Do You Love Me,” I instantly thought of that scene in “Dirty Dancing” which brought a smile to my face.
A performance that I did not find quite as impressive was The Red Hot Chili Peppers with Post Malone.
I enjoy both artists individually, but there performance was so chaotic I had no idea where to look or who to follow.
Also, the In Memorium may or may not have made me a little emotional.
By the end of the night, each winner was rightfully awarded.
Some of this year’s winners included Kacey Musgraves, Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, Drake, H.E.R, Cardi B, Dua Lipa and Song of the Year winner Childish Gambino.
Overall, the 61st annual Grammy Awards was an exciting night filled with amazing music.