Glamorous and Gracious: Takeaways From The Grammys

The Best Performances from Music’s Biggest Night

by Lila Diamond

So far, 2025 sucks. Luckily, the Grammys didn't. Actually, for the first time in years, they were entertaining. Although it went twenty minutes over an already three-and-a-half hour show, there was no shortage of talent. The performances were inspiring, lively, and—most importantly—sounded fantastic. From a night of many memorable moments, here are my six favorite performances:

6. Quincy Jones Tribute 

The legacy of Quincy Jones is unmatched. The 28-time Grammy-winning producer, musician and visionary passed away last November at the age of 91. To honor him, the Grammys held a tribute fit for the Gods. It starred Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Janelle Monáe and many, many others. While yes, it was weird to see Will Smith back in the award show circuit, everything else? Pretty close to perfect. Cynthia Erivo belted "Fly Me To The Moon.” Lainy Wilson and Jacob Collier cried “Let The Good Times Roll.” Janelle Monáe moonwalked and danced on the table. Stevie Wonder whipped out the harmonica. Regardless of whether at home or at the show, you were dancing. It was a celebration of greatness by greatness. 

5. Sabrina Carpenter

It's hard to hate Sabrina Carpenter. She's glamorous, punny, looks like a doll, and sings like a bird. In her performance, she finally ditched the espresso-centric beach for a classier 1950s dreamscape. Sabrina walked down ballroom stairs while doing a bit about the spotlight not finding her and the stage not opening up, all to a background chorus of “someone’s going to get fired.” It was undeniably charming. She sang a jazzy intro of her songs before ditching the suit and tie for a more typical baby blue bodysuit. Oh, and there were pyrotechnics and a full fledged tap break. After watching the mashup of her songs “Please Please Please” and “Espresso,” it's evident why tickets to her Short N Sweet tour were in such high demand. She's confident, polished, and professional. She might have left Disney, but she performs like a princess. 

4. Raye

Before the Grammys, I knew Raye as the singer behind the viral TikTok song, “Escapism.” After the Grammys, I now know Raye as one of the best vocalists of this generation. Without visuals, dancers, or any form of performative gimmick, the British singer-songwriter delivered one of the most memorable performances of the night. She belted her song “Oscar Winning Tears” center stage in a dazzling black gown and surrounded by an orchestra. It was emotional, powerful, and gave me chills. Since the show, I've watched it six times. Sure, everyone loves a flashy over-the-top performance—but Raye made every other performance look like child's play. 

3.Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan did exactly as she should have: performed her hit “Pink Pony Club” while literally riding a pink pony. Chappell, who left the Grammys with the coveted Best New Artist award, was star studded, dazzlingly dramatic, and indisputably unapologetic. Singing amongst a cohort of background dancing western clowns and a “My Drink is Karma” billboard, she and her entire performance were eye candy. Not to mention, her vocals never, ever disappoint. Her performance felt important. Her tale goes as follows: she was dropped from Atlantic Records, broken up with, and forced to move home and work as a barista, all before creating The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess—the album that changed her life. Even if you didn't know any of that, you'd still be moved by her song: a cautionary tale of disappointing her mom by becoming an entertainer in LA. The good news? She got everything she wanted. She's the queen of kitsch, and yet it is somehow still chic; she struts the line so perfectly.

2. Charli XCX

This year, Charli XCX colonized a color, romanticized sweat, ditched the bra, and won three Grammy awards. Brat, an album whose high level of artistic integrity was bound beautifully to the musical brains of A.G. Cook and Charli XCX, became an unstoppable force. Her Grammy performance did as her album did for millions of listeners: created a hectic, high-concept rave of scandalous celebrity celebration. Her performance started where all sleaze should, in a parking lot—though, this time, specifically at the Crypto.com Arena. Alongside her muses Alex Consani and Gabriette Bechtel, Charli XCX emerged from a black SUV, champagne in hand, to her blaring hit “Von Dutch”—of course. When she took the main stage to perform “Guess,” the stage became a Project X esque game of celebrity spot-it. She was on the floor. There were strobe lights. There was a Julia Fox shoutout. Her performance did exactly as it was meant to: made my grandmother text me, “When is this mess finally over?” 

1.Doechii

At this year's Grammys, Doechii became the third woman ever to win Rap Album of the Year, a coveted title placing her amongst deities Lauren Hill and Cardi B. If that's not news on its own, then I don't know what is. Her album, Alligator Bites Never Heal, emerged from a 30-day writing process that went from a tour, to a Tiny Desk concert, to a TikTok sound, and finally where it belonged: the Grammys stage. Through a fantastically dramatic, Thom-Brown-adorned performance of “Catfish” and “Denial Is a River,” Doechii left the stage as a household name. The choreography captivatingly took place on a moving walkway, where she was lifted, thrown, spun, but never missed a beat. If there was one take away from this year's Grammys, it was that Doechii has become a leader of a new regime. She's taking the world by storm, and can kiss the swamp goodbye.