The 64th Grammy Awards are finally happening Sunday, after the 2022 ceremony had been postponed amid concerns over the omicron variant. Trevor Noah returns to host, and this year’s celebration will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Top nominees include Jon Batiste, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., Lil Nas X, Taylor Swift, Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo.
(How to watch; The 64th Grammy Awards airs live at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET Sunday, April 3, on CBS. You can live stream on Paramount Plus, and on fubo TV, which offers a free trial)
While there’s suspense about who will win, you’d better believe that plenty of viewers will watch the Grammy Awards just to see if something unexpected happens. You know, like the last live awards event — the March 27 Oscars, during which Will Smith slapped Chris Rock, launching a million comments, analyses, hot takes, medium takes, and so on.
Will Noah make some jokes about the Smith/Rock incident? We’ll have to see. And there are more potential fireworks associated with the Grammys. Kanye West was reportedly asked not to perform at the 2022 Grammy Awards in the wake of West’s volatile social media posts, which targeted West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian and her new boyfriend, Pete Davidson.
West has also slammed Noah online, following a “Daily Show” commentary during which Noah criticized West for harassing Kardashian and Davidson. “You may not feel sorry for Kim because she’s rich and famous, because she appropriates Black culture,” Noah said, “but what she’s going through is terrifying to watch and shines a spotlight on what so many women go through when they choose to leave.”
Years before last week’s Smith/Rock episode, West was involved in one of the most discussed awards show moments in memory when, during the 2009 VMAs, Taylor Swift was onstage to accept the Video of the Year award, and West rushed up to interrupt Swift and praise Beyonce.
While West isn’t scheduled to perform at the 64th Grammys, he has been nominated for five awards, including his album, “Donda.” So, if he attends and wins, viewers may see West onstage accepting his own award or awards.
Performers and presenters also include Grammy nominees Megan Thee Stallion, Joni Mitchell and Questlove; Grammy winners Lenny Kravitz, Dua Lipa, Ludacris, Billy Porter, Bonnie Raitt and Keith Urban; past Grammy nominees Kelsea Ballerini and Avril Lavigne; actors and musicians Jared Leto and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez; and actor Anthony Mackie.
Previously announced performers include J Balvin with Maria Becerra, Jon Batiste, Brothers Osborne, Brandi Carlile, Billie Eilish, Cynthia Erivo, H.E.R., Lady Gaga, John Legend, Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow, Maverick City Music, Nas, Aymée Nuviola, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt, Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic, Chris Stapleton, Billy Strings, Carrie Underwood and Rachel Zegler
— Kristi Turnquist
kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist