Beyonce (left) and Tina Turner perform at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, in Los Angeles. Image: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
It wasn’t a week since the 67th Grammy Awards and everyone is still talking (nope, not you Kanye and Bianca Censori) about the annual spectacle that was the US recording academy’s offering for 2025. Held at the Crypto.com Arena on February 2 (morning of February 3 in the Philippines), the event was as much the splendid performances of recording artists as the celebrities that sashayed down the red carpet.
Despite the industry’s efforts, viewers’ ratings still fell even with topnotch performances from the likes of Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, XCX, Chappell Roan, and Kendrick Lamar, who were the big winners that night. Still, there’s a long of history going on for the Grammys.
Since its inception in 1959, the Grammys witnessed hundreds of artists, singers, songwriters, and musicians performing their latest hits, showing off their charisma and charm, or making a statement onstage — whether through fashion or an intentional change in song lyrics — as a celebration of the “biggest night” in music.
While some fans await the winners in their respective categories, others are excited to witness artists making their onstage performances. Listening to a new song — especially if comes from one’s favorite singer — is exciting in itself. But seeing artists showcasing their vocal chops and captivating stage presence is an otherworldly experience.
This year brought Carpenter, Roan, XCX, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Billie Eilish, and Finneas O’Connell onstage with their stellar performances that will be remembered in the years to come. Meanwhile, here’s a look-back on some of the most unforgettable Grammy Awards stages throughout its run.
Michael Jackson, 1988
There were no flashy props or dramatic camera tricks in this stage. It was just Michael Jackson — in his signature fedora hat, a blue polo, and black trousers — performing “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Man in the Mirror” in his signature theatrics. It was simple compared to the Grammys’ recent stages but it’s a bold display that Jackson didn’t need anything extravagant to prove his worth as the King of Pop.
Miley Cyrus, 2024
Since her Disney Channel days, Miley Cyrus has always been magnetic. But “Flowers” shows the singer-songwriter in her unfiltered self four years after her divorce from Liam Hemsworth. Her subtle callouts such as “Started to cry but remembered I just won my first Grammy,” as well as her casual “Why are you acting like you don’t know the song?” to the audience was comedic and oh, so Miley.
Whitney Houston, 1994
Whitney Houston never misses bringing a sucker punch to the heart when she performs “I Will Always Love You,” and her performance at the 1994 Grammy Awards was no different. This stage offered a glimpse into the rawness of Houston. Her incomparable tone and vibrato shone throughout but it was beautifully imperfect too. She paid no attention to the occasional out-of-tune and voice cracks which brought heart to an already emotional performance.
Sabrina Carpenter, 2025
🚨 Performance de Sabrina Carpenter no #GRAMMYs. pic.twitter.com/VnoWgFJ7p5
— Updates Sabrina Brasil 💋 (@UpdatesBrinaBR) February 3, 2025
Just when we thought Sabrina Carpenter had run out of ideas on how she would perform her megahits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” she turned her Grammys debut into a showcase of why she emerged as one of the pop stars to look out for. Bringing sexiness, humor, and a whole lot of pop culture references, her “Espresso” stage was a nod to Goldie Hawn’s 1978 television special — complete with her disappearing into the staircase — and Vegas showgirl-esque twist to “Please Please Please” was a stage to die for.
Lady Gaga, 2011
A Lady Gaga performance is not complete without out-of-top costumes and sets, a touch of camp, and Gaga’s flair for drama. Emerging out of what seemed to be a makeshift UFO, she crooned “Don’t be a drag, just be a queen” while turning the stage into a song-and-dance spectacle. She took her rendition slow at the bridge — with a bit of rock elements — before dancing as if nothing had happened.
BTS, 2022
Third time’s indeed the charm for BTS as their appearance at the 64th Grammy Awards showed the K-pop megastars at their most confident best. Each member had a moment to shine as an individual — where V even shared an interaction with Olivia Rodrigo — before kicking off their stage with “Butter.” The performance was a nod to the dashing James Bond with the septet, combining the signature polish of K-pop and their undeniable groove.
Adele, 2017
Remember when Adele messed up while singing Fast Love on live tv, during the Grammys then restarted and absolutely SMASHED IT???
ICONIC BEHAVIOR TO THIS DAY and that’s why I stan. pic.twitter.com/WFmHeOD3j1— Jess (@jessforlast) July 15, 2023
There were no holds barred from Adele in her 2017 Grammys performance as she performed George Michael’s “Fastlove.” What was meant to be a commemoration of Michael’s legacy turned into an emotional moment for Adele who went off-key in the first note, swore, and asked for a redo of her rendition. She said, “I know it’s live TV and I’m so f***ing sorry. I’m sorry for swearing and I’m sorry for starting again. I can’t mess this up for him. I’m sorry, I can’t,” before redoing her tribute to the late singer-songwriter who died on Christmas day in 2016.
Beyoncé and Tina Turner, 2008
it’s the legendary tina turner’s birthday, remember when she performed proud mary with beyoncé at the #grammys? iconic is an understatement. pic.twitter.com/h0YNEN5N8A
— BEY-Z (@beyzhive) November 26, 2022
It was a fangirl dream come true for Beyoncé as she brought out her showstopping performance abilities and vocal chops with Tina Turner, as they performed “Proud Mary” at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center. Beyoncé’s breathtaking theatrics and Turner’s effortless were a match made in heaven — as their collaboration was nothing short of spectacular.