Last updated on Feb 23, 2017
By Kristina Huderski
Features Editor
The 59th annual Grammy Awards took place on Feb. 12 in Los Angeles, CA. Millions of viewers across America tuned in, including many students. Some students liked the Grammys while others thought the show could have been much better. Whether it was Adele winning Album of the Year or Katy Perry’s “controversial” performance, students across campus had something to say.
Adele opened the Grammy Awards with her popular song, “Hello.” Later in the show, she paid tribute to George Michael, who died on Dec. 25, 2016, by singing his song, “Fastlove.” She asked to restart the performance after a rocky start. “Only Adele would be allowed to restart her performance,” Irene Spanos, a senior childhood education major, said. “It made her look real and showed that everyone makes mistakes. I give her a lot of credit.”
Adele won five Grammy awards, including Album of the Year. During her acceptance speech, Adele said that Beyonce should have won the award for her album, “Lemonade.” “I was so mad that Adele did that,” Kaitlin Veygel, a senior broadcasting major, said. “I feel like she took the spotlight away from herself. Beyonce did have a good album, but Adele worked really hard and definitely deserved it.”
Beyonce also performed at the Grammy’s, after announcing to the world [the week before] that she was expecting twins. Her performance referenced the Hindu goddess, Kali; African American water goddess, Mami Wata; and Roman goddess, Venus. Some students did not appreciate the performance. “I think Beyonce’s performance was overrated and that she’s a hypocrite,” Taylor Brodsky, a freshman, said. “She is very talented, but I think she makes her performances too political.” She later won two awards and gave a powerful speech about the need for positivity in the African American community.
Katy Perry performed her new song, “Chain to the Rhythm,” while wearing an armband that read “Persist.” Many believe her performance was political because of the armband and the words, “WE THE PEOPLE” from the Constitution, on the screen behind her. “I love Katy Perry, but was very disappointed that she had to make her performance political,” Spanos said. “I feel that some things need to be left alone and an award show should be one of those things.”
Lady Gaga proved that she is proud of her body, showing up to the Grammy’s in a braless outfit after receiving hate during her Super Bowl performance because her body type did not fit her outfit choice. Gaga performed with Metallica singing, “Moth Into Flame.” Vegel said, “I am obsessed with Lady Gaga. Her performance with Metallica proves that she can sing any style music and kill it.”
Tributes were paid to The Bee Gees and Prince. Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, Little Big Town, and Andra Day sang “Stayin’ Alive,” “Tragedy,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “Night Fever” to honor The Bee Gees. Bruno Mars paid tribute to Prince, who died April 21, 2016, and sang “Let’s Go Crazy. The Time also paid tribute to Prince, singing “Jungle Love” and “The Bird,” two songs co-written by Prince. Many students, including Nick Tangorra, a sophomore public relations major, enjoyed these performances. “Out of all of the performances, the tributes to Prince and The Bee Gees really stood out to me. The stars that honored them on stage did an incredible job,” Tangorra said.
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