Trevor Noah.Photo: Rich Fury/Getty
Trevor Noahis kicking off music’s biggest night with a bang.
On Sunday,TheDaily Showcomedian, 38, returned to host theGrammy Awardsfor a second consecutive year. In his opening monologue, he joked about the events of the Oscars the weekend prior, during which Will Smith slappedChris Rockin acontroversial momentonstage.
“We’re going to be listening to music, we’re going to be dancing, we’re going to be singing, we’re going to be keeping people’s names out of our mouths and we’re going to be giving out awards all throughout the night,” Noah said, referencing how Smith shouted at Rock after the slap, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f—ing mouth.”
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Rock compared the actress' appearance to that ofDemi Moore’s look inG.I. Jane.Pinkett Smith, 50, who recently opened upabout living with alopecia, was visibly unamused, rolling her eyes from her seat. Seconds later, Smith, 53, walked onstage and approached Rock,smacking him in front of the audienceand millions watching the telecast at home.
Smith then remained seated with his wife at his table for the rest of the night. Rock has so fardeclined to press charges.
When Smith won Best Actor later inthe Oscarsceremony, he apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees. The following day, hepublicly apologized to Rockon social media. He’s since resigned from the Academy amid the ensuing controversy.
Earlier in his monologue, Noah welcomed everybody to the show, which wasoriginally scheduled for Januaryin L.A. but then was postponed amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
“We are officially here — better late than never, right?” he said. “This is a party. We’re in Vegas! People are doing shots. Last year people were doing shots, but it was more Moderna and Pfizer.”
Noah then called out the notable attendees and nominees in the audience, includingOlivia Rodrigo.
“I saw Olivia Rodrigo myself. She was getting carded, and she had to show a bouncer her actual driver’s license. It was like history, people!” Noah said, referencing her song and record of the year-nominated hit “Drivers License.”
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Trevor Noah.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Noah also joked about seeing both Nas and Lil Nas X, saying, “Lil Nas is actually taller. They don’t tell you this!”
When Noah turned his attention to Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, he said, “There’s only one question I can’t wait to ask them: What is Finneas' last name? Is it Eilish? Why won’t you tell us Finneas? What are you hiding?”
WithHouse of GuccicostarsLady Gagaand Jared Leto in the building, Noah said, “We got a full house of Gucci, or like an apartment of Gucci. A Gucci Airbnb.”
Concluding his monologue, Noah said, “It’s going to be such a beautiful evening. Don’t even think of it like an awards show. This is a concert where we’re giving out awards.”
The award ceremony has, so far, featured performances from music’s biggest stars, withBTS,Lil Nas X,Eilish, andRodrigoall performing. Despite an earlier announcement as Grammy performers, theFoo Fighterscanceled their live showsafter drummer Taylor Hawkins died last week.
source: people.com
