Grammys 2024: Taylor Swift makes history as women rule the night

Published

3 months ago

February 5, 2024

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Women dominate this year’s Grammys, with female artists taking home the biggest four awards of the night.

Taylor Swift made history when she won best album for Midnights, becoming the first artist to win the prize for a fourth time, having previously won for Fearless,1989 and Folklore.

The ceremony was the first big music event Swift has attended since falling victim to a deepfake attack on social media late last month, when fake, sexually explicit images of her were shared online.

Accepting the prize, Swift ushered her team around her saying, “Guys I feel so alone” before going on to thank everyone who made the album a success.

She said: “I would love to tell you this is the best moment of my life, but I feel this happy when I finish a song, or when I crack the code to a bridge that I love, or when I’m shortlisting a music video, or when I’m working with my dancers.

“For me the reward is the work… All I want to do is keep doing this, so thanks so much for giving me the opportunity. Mind blown!”

The award was presented by Canadian superstar Celine Dion, who in 2022 revealed that she was suffering from the rare neurological disorder known as stiff-person syndrome (SPS), forcing her to cancel numerous tour dates.

Clearly emotional to be back on the stage, she told the crowd: “When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart”.

Swift also delighted her legion of fans by revealing during the show that she would be releasing a new album on 19 April – The Tortured Poets Department – and sharing a photo of the album’s front cover on social media.

Accepting best pop vocal album, the 34-year-old said she’d be keeping the secret for the last two years.

Record of the year was taken by Miley Cyrus, for her viral summer hit Flowers, who broke her no-Grammy spell with two wins on the night. She said that she hoped her life didn’t change as it was already “beautiful.”

Reeling off a list of people to thank, the 31-year-old star who was wearing a sequined black gown with a high side split joked, “I don’t think I forgot anyone… But I may have forgotten underwear”.

Cyrus also won best pop solo performance for Flowers, which she performed during the ceremony.

Accepting her award from Mariah Carey, she told the audience she’d nearly missed the start of the show due to the rain, going on to tell a story of a little boy who could not catch a butterfly until one landed on his nose, concluding, “this song is my butterfly”.

The award was presented by record producer Mark Ronson, along with his mother-in-law, Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep.

Song of the year went to Billie Eilish, for her Barbie song What Was I Made For? who appeared to be truly shocked by her own win, telling the audience, “This is the dumbest thing… Damn, I’m shocked,” and concluding her speech, “This is stupid, I’m not supposed to be here”.

The track from the movie which dominated the summer and broke box office records also took home the award for best song written for visual media.

Eilish performed on the night, dressed in black sunglasses and a pink headscarf in homage to the 1965 Barbie Poodle parade doll.

Best new artist went to R&B singer-songwriter Victoria Monet, who kicked off her acceptance speech by thanking “the champagne servers of the night,” going on to dedicate her award to anyone “who has a dream”.

Using the analogy of a growing plant in the “soil” of the music industry, Monet said her “roots had been growing underground for so long, and were finally sprouting over ground”.

SZA – who had the most nominations going into the night – took three awards – including best R&B song for Snooze, giving an emotional and out of breath speech due to the fact she was changing her outfit, during which she gave a shout out to Swift (the star of the night) saying “Hi Taylor… I’m not an attractive crier. Have a good evening.”

Kylie Minogue was honoured with the inaugural best pop dance recording for hit Padam Padam – the Australian star’s second Grammy.

Highlighting the success of the night for female talent, indie supergroup Boygenius took three awards, with bandmember Phoebe Bridgers taking a fourth for her collaboration with SZA Ghost in the Machine.

The celebration of female talent was in stark contrast to a UK MP report released last week, which revealed that women working in the music industry face “endemic” misogyny and discrimination.

Another notable win went to rapper Jay-Z who won the Dr Dre global impact award took his daughter Blue Ivy up onto the stage, as used the opportunity to take a swipe at the Recording Academy.

He drew gasps when he chided the Grammy’s have previously neglected rap stars, before putting the spotlight on his wife, Beyonce, questioning how she’d won the most Grammy’s in history, but never won best album.

He joked, “Sorry, when I get nervous, I tell the truth”.

He finished by urging fellow artists “to keep showing up,” imploring, “Just in life, you’ve got to keep showing up. Just keep showing up.

Held at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, the 66th annual ceremony was hosted by comedian Trevor Noah – his fourth consecutive year fronting the show.

There were a host of performances from living legends, with cultural icon Joni Mitchell making her Grammy debut aged 80.

With an impressive five-decade music career, and after overcoming a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 2015, she sang her 1966 hit Both Sides Now, sat in a golden armchair and accompanied by singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile on guitar.

Mitchell also took home the prize for best folk album. She previously won the Recording Academy lifetime achievement award in 2002.

Other veteran entertainers to perform included Stevie Wonder who paid tribute to singer Tony Bennet, Billy Joel and Tracy Chapman.

Eurhythmics star Annie Lennox gave an emotional rendition of Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U during the In Memoriam section of the show, wearing a black suit and with a glittery black tear running from one eye.

Finishing the song, the 69-year-old singer brought politics to the fore, saying: “Artists for ceasefire, peace in the world,” appearing to refer to the ongoing Gaza-Hamas war.

Later in the show, Recording Academy The CEO Harvey Mason Jr spoke about the power of music to unite, calling out attacks at music venues including the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, the Manchester Arena in England, the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas and most recently the Supernova Music Festival for Love.

As he spoke, a string quartet of musicians of Palestinian, Israeli and Arab origin performed live, with Mason concluding: ” Now is the time for us, for humanity, to play together and to come together with empathy and with love.”

Meanwhile, in sharp contrast to the glitz and glamour of the night, rapper Killer Mike was led from the ceremony in handcuffs, shortly after winning three gongs.

The 48-year-old activist and performer took home best rap album for his sixth studio album, Michael, while his track Scientists And Engineers featuring Andre 3000, Future And Eryn Allen Kane won best rap song and best rap performance.

A spokesperson from the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed a man had been arrested but did not give any further details.

Entertainment

Switzerland wins Eurovision as chaos engulfs iconic song contest

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3 hours ago

May 12, 2024

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Switzerland wins Eurovision as chaos engulfs iconic song contest

Switzerland has won Eurovision, topping the leaderboard in a competition fraught with last-minute changes and backstage incidents.

Non-binary performer Nemo used their childhood opera experience to pull together an impressive performance mixing rap, rock, drum ‘n bass and classical opera, as well as balancing on a revolving disc spinning at speed as they sang.

The song – which took an early lead in the race – shares a message of self-acceptance and the freedom for each one of us to live our lives openly and without fear of judgment.

When accepting their glass trophy, Nemo said: “I hope this contest can live up to its promise, and continue to stand up for peace.” They then performed their song to wrap the show.

Croatian act Baby Lasagne (whose real name is Marko Purisic) took second place with the anarchic rock track Rim Tim Tagi Dim.

The UK’s act, Dizzy, sung by Olly Alexander came 18th out of 25, with 46 points. He performed 13th in the running order – a number considered unlucky for some, and received a crushing “Nul Points” in the public vote.

The Years And Years star gave an energetic performance surrounded by his four dancers dressed in boxing shorts, writhing around a brightly lit cube decked out like a boxing ring.

Ireland’s act, Bambie Thug, came a sixth, with their self-named “Ouija pop” track Doomsday Blue.

Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, opened the show, speaking in a short, pre-recorded video, and wishing all the contestants luck, before Sweden’s identical twins Marcus and Martinus performed the first song.

Performers made some tentative moves towards bringing politics to the stage, with Lithuania signing off their song with the command, “Spread love to the world”, while Portugal’s act said, “Peace will prevail”.

At the end of France’s performance by Slimane, he said: “United by music, for love and peace, thank you so much.”

During an earlier performance he had cut his act short, saying: “Every artist here want to sing about love and sing about peace. We need to be united by music yes but with love for peace. United by music yes but with love for peace”.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s act Bambie Thug rounded off their performance by saying: “Love will always triumph hate.”

During a cutaway of their team, which was played after all the songs had performed in a round-up of the acts sat in the ‘green room’ area onstage, there was a large soft-toy watermelon clearly in the background behind Bambie.

The fruit is widely used as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

Earlier this week, the 31-year-old, who is non-binary, said the EBU prevented them from displaying a pro-Palestinian message during their performance during the first semi-final.

There was some audible booing when Israel’s Eden Golan performed, and more audible booing when Israel handed out their scores.

But the loudest booing of the night was reserved for the man in charge of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Osterdahl, who was almost drowned out by jeering from the crowd when he first spoke, and then again when he handed out the points for Netherlands.

This year’s Eurovision contest has been embroiled in controversy over the last few months, with demonstrations and calls for Israel to be banned due to their actions in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

On Thursday, between 10,000 and 12,000 people took part in a pro-Palestinian march through Malmo, the host city.

But on Friday, drama unfolded closer to home when Dutch act Joost – who had been among the favourites to win – was axed over allegations he made verbal threats to a female Eurovision production worker after coming off stage following the second semi-final on Thursday.

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It is the first time in Eurovision history that an act has been disqualified after reaching the grand final.

Then on Saturday, Irish contender Bambie Thug did not take part in the final rehearsal for the show, due to “a situation” they said needed “urgent attention” from organisers.

Several presenters scheduled to award the points of their country during the programme, withdrew from the show just hours before it was due to begin, including Finnish singer Kaarij (whose song Cha Cha Cha came second in last year’s show) and Norwegian singer Alessandra Mele.

Away from the political overtones the EBU was trying so hard to avoid, Swedish supergroup Abba – the most famous band ever to come out of the contest – were shown in hologram form and performed on stage in London.

The four “Abbatars” as they’ve been dubbed sang Waterloo, accompanied from the Malmo stage by fellow former winners Conchita Wurst, Charlotte Perrelli and Carola Haggkvist.

Next year’s contest will be held in Switzerland.

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Entertainment

Protests and an expulsion: The controversy and chaos in Malmo ahead of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2024

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Protests and an expulsion: The controversy and chaos in Malmo ahead of this year's Eurovision Song Contest

Consistently billed by organisers as non-political, this year’s Eurovision Song Contest had become mired in controversy before the first act even took to stage

As thousands protest against Israel’s inclusion while its war in Gaza continues – despite international calls for restraint – organisers resisted pressure to exclude Israel.

While Israeli artist Eden Golan was asked to change lyrics organisers felt referred to Hamas’s deadly 7 October attacks, large protests have continued in Swedish host city Malmo throughout this week.

Follow live: Eurovision 2024 latest updates

Waving Palestinian flags, demonstrators shouted “Eurovision united by genocide” – a twist on the contest’s official slogan “united by music”. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously dismissed genocide claims as “outrageous”.

Calls to ban Israel

Ahead of Saturday’s final, between 6,000 and 8,000 people joined a demonstration, according to police estimates.

Security has been ramped up in the city, which expected to welcome 100,000 Eurovision fans on top of the thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters.

More than 10,000 campaigners, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, staged a non-violent protest ahead of the semi-final on Thursday.

A smaller group of pro-Israeli supporters, including members of Malmo’s Jewish community, also staged a peaceful demonstration on Thursday, defending Golan’s right to take part in the contest.

This week, former Swedish contestant Eric Saade, who is said to be of Palestinian origin, wore a keffiyeh – a traditional scarf that has become a symbol of support – tied around his wrist as he sang.

Organisers at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) put out a statement expressing “regret” over Saade’s actions.

Dutch act expelled

As preparations on the day got into full swing, organisers would be hit with two major blows from two of this year’s hotly-tipped performers.

The first of those came from the Netherlands, with organisers announcing Dutch entry Joost Klein had been expelled from the competition after a complaint by a production worker.

According to Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, Klein was filmed despite clearly made agreements, just after getting off stage after his performance at Thursday’s semi final.

“This wasn’t respected,” AVROTROS said in a post on social media platform X, adding: “This led to a threatening movement from Joost towards the camera.”

Klein did not touch the camerawoman, according to AVROTROS, who said it found the artist’s penalty “very heavy and disproportionate”.

Irish act calls for ‘urgent attention’

Barely a few hours later, Ireland’s entry Bambie Thug missed the flag parade in the show’s final rehearsal due to a “situation” needing “urgent attention” from organisers.

The singer has previously hit out at Golan competing in the contest and been outspoken about their pro-Palestinian views before becoming the first Irish qualifier since 2018.

Irish broadcaster RTE reported that the singer called on organisers to address commentary made on Israeli television before their performance in Tuesday’s semi-final.

They told the broadcaster: “I’m angry with other teams breaching their rules of the EBU, and still being allowed in.

“So there’s definitely a war drum sounding in my heart to push the performance even more than I have done before.”

Earlier this week, Bambie Thug told reporters they had been forced to change writing painted on their body ahead of the semi-final performance.

The 31-year-old said the painted script in Ogham – an early Medieval alphabet – had translated to “ceasefire and freedom”.

‘United by love’

While Bambie Thug missed a chunk of rehearsals, another act used his practice on stage to make a statement.

In an apparent reference to Eurovision’s motto, French contestant Slimane stopped mid-way through his rehearsal to say “united by music, yes, but for love, for peace”.

His chant appeared to be met with a loud round of applause in the auditorium.

Meanwhile, Norway’s Alessandra Mele, who was scheduled to award her country’s points during the show, withdrew due to the “inflamed situation in Malmo this year”, according to broadcaster NRK.

Entertainment

This Morning’s entertainment reporter Sam Rubin dies aged 64

Published

15 hours ago

May 11, 2024

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This Morning's entertainment reporter Sam Rubin dies aged 64

Sam Rubin, a veteran Californian entertainment reporter who also worked for ITV, has died at the age of 64.

Los Angeles TV station KTLA called the reporter “a giant in the local news industry”, as they paid tribute.

“His laugh, charm and caring personality touched all who knew him,” the station added.

“Sam was a loving husband and father: the roles he cherished the most.”

The US veteran journalist “regularly broadcast live” into ITV’s This Morning over the years.

This Morning said they would air a tribute for Rubin on Monday.

“He woke up Tinseltown every day for decades with his likeable charm and knowledgeable take on the movie world, he was on first name terms with the stars and became affectionately known as ‘Hollywood Sam’. We will miss him,” This Morning said in a statement on X.

“There will be a tribute to Sam on Monday’s show, but in the meantime, we send our condolences to his wife Leslie, their four children and Sam’s colleagues at KTLA.”

Among some of the famous faces paying tribute was US actor Ben Stiller, who described him as a “consummate pro”.

“So sad and sorry to hear of Sam Rubin’s passing”, he said.

The Zoolander star said: “I did my first interview with him in something like ’93, and countless times over the years. He loved actors and movies.

“He made everyone feel comfortable and it was always fun and easy. He was an institution.”

American actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who starred in Community and The Odd Couple, also said: “Sam was a friend. I enjoyed all the times I got to visit him at KTLA.”

Canadian and American actor Ryan Reynolds added: “Even if I was on my 85th interview that day, I was always happy to see Sam.

“Even if HE was on his 85th interview that day, he always brought genuine kindness, curiosity and an outside the box question.”

Born in San Diego in 1960, Rubin joined KTLA in 1991 and won several awards over his 33-year stint with the broadcaster.

He was a multiple-Emmy winner, received the Golden Mike Award for best entertainment reporter and a lifetime achievement award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association, and was named best entertainment reporter by the Los Angeles Press Club.

KTLA anchor Lynette Romero wrote in a lengthy tribute that she “didn’t believe it. It had to be a mistake. But it was true”, following his death.

“I’ve known Sam since I moved to LA 25 years ago. And there are so many things I could say about him,” she said.

“Yes, he was incredibly good at his job. He loved being on TV. He adored his family. He cherished his friends. He was kind and thoughtful and had the most beautiful blue eyes.”