Bad Bunny, Olivia Dean Champion Immigrants at 2026 Grammys
Los Angeles - The 2026 Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday night saw several artists using their platform to advocate for immigrants' rights, while also celebrating musical achievements. Bad Bunny made a powerful statement during his acceptance speech for best música urbana album for "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS," declaring "ICE out," which earned him a standing ovation, according to Variety. He followed this with the statement, "We are not savage. We are not animals. We are Americans."
British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean won the Grammy Award for best new artist and dedicated her win to immigrants. "I want to say I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn't be here. I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We are nothing without each other," Dean said in her acceptance speech, according to Variety. Dean also thanked her team, including her manager and best friend of 10 years.
The awards show also featured a performance by Justin Bieber, who took to the Grammy Awards stage for the first time since 2022, according to Variety. Bieber performed a stripped-down version of his hit song "Yukon" wearing only gym shorts and socks, while his wife, Hailey Bieber, watched from the crowd.
Earlier in the weekend, at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala, Icelandic singer Laufey reflected on honoring Mariah Carey with a bossa nova-infused rendition of "It's Like That." Speaking with Variety in the Grammys press room after winning best traditional pop vocal album for "A Matter of Time," Laufey discussed reimagining the Carey classic and why the song resonated with her.
The focus on immigration at the Grammys coincided with the release of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, asylum seekers from Ecuador, from ICE detention in Texas, according to multiple news sources. They had initially been detained in Minnesota on disputed immigration violation claims. The case drew public outcry and involved conflicting accounts. Representative Joaquin Castro escorted them home to Minnesota following their release. DHS officials maintain they did not target the child.
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