6 Powerful Grammy Moments That Made a Difference
Last night the City of Angles shined bright as the 67th Annual Grammy Awards took place. In an evening filled with glittering gowns and shimmering trophies, Americans still couldn’t quite escape their rather hellish introduction to 2025. Whether it be the constant reminders of the fires that raged over California mere weeks ago or the subtle but poignant advocacy for immigrants and trans citizens. The Grammys were filled with serious and at times hopeful messages to remind us that our idols are here to use their platforms for good. Here are just a few of the key moments that stood out to this Grammy watcher.
“DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.”
During Alicia Keys’ acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Grammy Award, Keys highlighted the importance of diversity. This comes mere weeks into the Trump Administration, and only days after Donald Trump blamed the recent DC plane crash (which took 67 lives) on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, “This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices,” stated Keys. “We’ve seen on this stage talented, hardworking people from different backgrounds with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.” She finished to a room full of cheers.
“Labels, we got you, but do you got us?”
Chappell Roan has been known to speak out for what she believes in, and last Sunday was no exception. The “Good Luck Babe!” singer started out early, advocating for the Trans Community in an interview with GLAAD on the red carpet, “Trans people have always existed and they will forever exist and they will never, no matter what happens, take trans joy away.” She stated emphatically.
“I would not be here without trans girls,” she continued. “So just know that pop music is thinking about you and cares about you and I’m trying my best to stand up for you in every way that I can.” One could also take Chappell’s Grammy performance of “Pink Pony Club”, a song that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ Community and the safe spaces she found in West Hollywood, as its own form of rebellion. Once again reinforcing the belief that queer joy is forever. However, this wasn’t the only bold statement Chappell made. While accepting her Grammy for Best New Artist, the singer took the time to speak directly to labels, advocating for better healthcare opportunities for smaller artists.
“I told myself if I ever won a Grammy and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists,” Roan began, reading from a diary just like she did when she accepted Best New Artist at the VMAs the previous year. Chappell continued on by explaining when she was dropped by her label, after being signed as a minor, and it greatly impacted her life, “It was so devastating to feel so committed to my art and feel so betrayed by the system and so dehumanized to not have health [care]. And if my label would have prioritized artists’ health, I could have been provided care by a company I was giving everything to.” By this point all the artists in the room stood up, some like Doechii even had tears in their eyes and you could tell this message hit close to home, “So, record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees with a livable wage and health insurance and protection. Labels, we got you, but do you got us?”
“Music is love.”
Lady Gaga ended her acceptance speech for the Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance by advocating for the Trans Community, “I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible,” Gaga said, drawing a standing ovation. “Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you.” For longtime fans, this mention similar to Chappells is no surprise. A member of the LGBTQIA+ Community herself, Lady Gaga has been advocating for Queer Rights, specifically Trans Rights, since the start of her career.
Diana Ross’s Beautiful Speech
“We can rise again and keep the light of hope and love alive.”
The legend, the icon, Diana Ross blessed our screens on Sunday evening to present the award for the Song of The Year. Prior to her announcing the winner, the “I’m Coming Out” singer took a moment to offer a message of unity, “I am inviting us all with love and hope and courage to those who are hurting tonight, especially the children who might be frightened. You are not alone. We stand with you,” Ross said. “My heart reaches out to you.” Though she didn’t mention any specific issue, Ross ended her speech on a hopeful note, “By reminding our future generation that even in the darkness,” she explained, “we can rise again and keep the light of hope and love alive.”
“I will always fight with you.”
Last night, the one and only Shakira won the Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album for her latest record, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. During her acceptance speech, the legendary singer took the opportunity to shout out the immigrants in America with a lovely message, “I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country. You are loved, you are worth it, and I will always fight with you.” Shakira said firmly, taking yet another stance against the Trump Administration’s hard-hitting, though many would say immoral, deportation rulings.
“You are exactly who you need to be.”
Much to my delight, Tampa native and all-around phenomenal artist Doechii became the third woman in Grammy’s herstory to win the award for Best Rap Album for her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal. Whilst giving her acceptance speech, Doechii took a moment to speak to Black women directly, offering words of courage, “I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there, that are watching me right now, and I want to tell you, you can do it. Anything is possible. Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, to tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark, or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic, or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony right now. Good night!”
During a night that could have simply been a cacophony of celebrity congratulations and pointless pleasantries, The 67th Annual Grammy Awards stood out for its impactful advocacy, thanks to the incredible recipients and announcers listed above.
