LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 66th Grammy Awards are taking place Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and the excitement started early.
The Premiere Ceremony, a pre-telecast show, began with host/songwriter Justin Tranter setting the scene — giving out the first award of the day, best pop duo/group performance, which went to SZA and Phoebe Bridgers for “Ghost in the Machine.”
The first of three new categories in 2024, best pop dance recording, was given out shortly afterward and went to Kylie Minogue for “Padam Padam” — her first win in 18 years.
About 80 Grammys will be handed out pre-broadcast, which included Regional Mexican star Peso Pluma winning his first Grammy for his first and only nomination, for best música Mexicana album for his “Genesis.”
Early on in the afternoon, “Barbie” took home two Grammys in quick succession: for compilation soundtrack for visual media and best song written for visual media.
Billie Eilish and Finneas arrived early in the afternoon to collect song written for visual media trophy for their “Barbie” ballad “What Was I Made For.”
“This is shocking to me,” Eilish said. “I was expecting to turn right back around and leave.”
“I want to thank our parents, our dad, who worked as a construction worker at Mattel Corporation for much of our childhood to keep food the table,” said Finneas.
Dozens of stars began arriving early, with the first arrivals giving the carpet a mix of classic black, shimmer and bold color.
Brandy Clark, who has been nominated for 17 Grammy awards in her career — including six this year — took home her first Grammy for best americana performance for her track “Dear Insecurity.” “I thank my mom for always believing in me, whatever my crazy dreams had been” she said. “And mostly I want to thank Brandi Carlile for making this record with me.”
Women outpace men in the major categories, so expect to see a spotlight on its female nominees as the night continues.
Comedian Trevor Noah will host for a fourth year in a row, history could be made, and unlike those other award shows, the Grammys doubles as a concert featuring the biggest artists in the world.
