LOS ANGELES — Amidst the haze that reminded everyone of last month’s devastating wildfires, the 2025 Grammy Awards sought to serve as a source of hope for a city grappling with widespread destruction.

Held on Sunday night at downtown LA’s Crypto.com Arena, Kendrick Lamar dominated the evening with his diss track aimed at Drake, while Beyoncé finally clinched the coveted album of the year. Taylor Swift kept the energy high on the dance floor, despite not receiving any awards from the Recording Academy. The night also included somber moments that highlighted fundraising efforts for wildfire relief.

YSL News provided comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Grammys, capturing everything from the red carpet to backstage happenings. Here are some memorable moments you might have missed on screen.

Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Partridge Make Their Debut as a Couple

Olivia Rodrigo, known for her poignant breakup anthems like “Vampire” and “Drivers License,” appeared smitten at the Grammys. Nominated for her song “Can’t Catch Me Now” from “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” the 21-year-old sat with her boyfriend, Louis Partridge, known for his role in “Enola Holmes.”

The couple was frequently seen leaning towards each other, and during one performance, Rodrigo held Partridge’s hand while resting it on her hip. After a lively chat with Gracie Abrams and her collaborator Audrey Hobert, the pair hurried back to their seats hand-in-hand just as a commercial break ended.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé in the Spotlight

Arriving just in time for Beyoncé’s win for best country album, the Carters’ table became a hotspot for friends, colleagues, and networking in the VIP section.

However, Beyoncé was missing from the broadcast for over an hour after accepting her award from Swift, only making her return when the tribute to Quincy Jones was happening. During this time, Jay-Z, who is currently facing a sexual assault lawsuit, mingled with notable figures like Will Smith, and his children Willow and Jaden, Dr. Dre, Queen Latifah, and emerging artists Doechii and Shaboozey. Their 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, seemed to enjoy a quieter existence, except for a lengthy conversation with one celebrity.

Taylor Swift Chats with Jay-Z, Connects with Blue Ivy

Following a tribute performance by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, Swift exchanged pleasantries with Jay-Z at the adjacent table. When a commercial break occurred, she stepped over to spend a good five minutes chatting with Blue Ivy.

Occasionally, Abrams and Hobert joined in, and Swift was seen cupping her hand around Blue Ivy’s ear, likely sharing a private comment amidst the loud atmosphere.

Jack Antonoff Captures Candid Moments of Taylor Swift and Margaret Qualley

Although Bleachers singer and renowned producer Jack Antonoff didn’t take home any awards, he made sure to capture invaluable candid shots with his compact camera.

In the midst of the performances, he effortlessly captured various moments of Swift dancing. With an Electric Lady Studios tote bag behind his chair, Antonoff rose to photograph Swift and his wife, Margaret Qualley, spinning and enjoying Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather.” Later, he took a flash photo of Swift enjoying The Weeknd’s surprise performance.

St. Vincent Shares News of Marriage and New Baby

Before performing “I Love L.A.,” St. Vincent made waves during the Premiere Ceremony, winning three Grammys for best rock song, best alternative music performance, and best alternative music album, while also revealing some personal surprises during her speeches. She expressed gratitude to “my beautiful wife Leia” and mentioned their “beautiful daughter.”

Backstage, she confirmed the baby news, explaining, “We kept it under wraps,” and humorously added, “She’s young. The baby, not the wife.”

While St. Vincent may have been limited on details due to the three Grammys weighing her down, she did quip, “These are getting heavy, if I’m honest. I feel like my delts are on fire.”

Doechii Aims to ‘Prove Herself’ with Electrifying Performance

After delivering a captivating performance of “Catfish” and “Denial is a River,” Doechii spoke backstage about her meaningful win for best rap album.

“It feels incredible. It’s larger than me; it’s a movement. Art wins. Authenticity wins. Vulnerability wins,” she remarked to reporters.

Describing her complex performance that incorporated a treadmill and a tear-away costume, Doechii noted the challenge: “It was essential for me to prove myself tonight. It merged Broadway, dance, theater, and art, and I think I successfully brought that to the stage.”

Taylor Swift Dances with Alicia Keys’ Son, Enjoys Charli XCX

Swift showcased her dancing skills throughout the night. As Shakira brought the crowd alive with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” Swift bounced with Alicia Keys’ son, 10-year-old Genesis Ali Dean, and enjoyed a twirl with him.

Later, she squashed rumors of conflict with Charli XCX, who had been speculated to have made a jab at Swift in her song “Sympathy is a knife.” As Charli XCX performed “Von dutch” and tossed underwear into the audience, Swift was dressed in nightclub attire, adorned with Antonoff’s oversized black glasses, and was seen jiving with a gold bottle of drink in hand.

Post-performance, which also featured Swift’s rumored ex Matty Healy’s fiancée Gabbriette Bechtel, she poured the remaining contents of her bottle into a neighboring wine glass held out to her.

SZA Remains Mysterious About Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance

SZA skipped the Grammys red carpet and made a quiet entry after winning her Grammy for best R&B song “Saturn” during the preliminary ceremony.

The “All the Stars” artist continued her laid-back approach backstage, sidestepping questions regarding her upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance alongside headliner Kendrick Lamar. “That’s King Kendrick’s performance. All I can say is, he’s working really hard on it,” she stated.

Dawes Kicks Off the Grammys After Experiencing Personal Losses

Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes experienced their first Grammy attendance in over 15 years as a band, marked by real-life experiences of losing their homes and studio to recent wildfires.

Dawes opened the Grammys with a performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” alongside John Legend, St. Vincent, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, and Brittany Howard. They mentioned that the ensemble came together just a week and a half prior.
 

“It’s wild to think about how our childhood dreams have merged with the chance to support our community,” Taylor remarked backstage. “We used to think maybe the Grammys weren’t part of our journey, but now we have the opportunity to open the show.”