The Grammy Awards ceremony, held annually, is a night dedicated to honoring the year’s biggest musical artists. The ceremony was first held in 1959 when the Recording Academy saw the need to acknowledge those who bring joy through the power of music. This year, the 2025 ceremony held a special purpose: raising funds for wildfire relief after the recent Los Angeles fires while honoring the bravery of the first responders. Holding some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, here are the ins and outs of one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.
Fashion at the Grammys
The Grammys not only draw attention because of the awards but also for the glitz and glamour of exciting fashion moments. The fashion element of the Grammys allows artists to express individuality they may not express through their music or art. From Chappell Roan to Jaden Smith, the red carpet this year was one for the books. The “black-tie” event theme was embraced by many, like Miley Cyrus, who wore a classy Saint Laurent dress, and Olivia Rodrigo, who wore a Versace halter neck number. Many guests also showed their support for LA by wearing blue heart pins in support of MusiCares, a charity raising money for those in the music industry affected by the fires.
The voting process
Grammy winners are selected by 13,000 members of the Academy. First, record companies enter the music of their artists, specifically those they saw as worthy of recognition. After the submissions, there is a screening process where experts make sure each entry is eligible and placed into its proper category. The next step, after determining the nominations, is the final voting, where Academy voting members decide the winner of their choice. Finally, ballots are tabulated, and the winners are announced at the televised award ceremony.
This year’s winners
Beyoncé entered the night with the most nominations: 11. She took home four, including album of the year for her country album “Cowboy Carter.” With a total of 35 Grammys, she increased her record as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history, which she first claimed in 2023. Another big winner was Kendrick Lamar, who swept all five categories he was nominated for, winning both record of the year (for production) and song of the year (for songwriting) with his rap song “Not Like Us.” Alicia Keys also won big, taking home the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. This award honors those in the industry who have made a significant impact beyond their music. During her acceptance speech, Keys celebrated diversity in music and called for the continued support of underrepresented voices in the industry. Notably, she stated, “This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices … The more voices, the more powerful the sound.”
