In a surprising turn of events, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards delivered what many consider one of the most entertaining awards shows in recent memory. Held at Los Angeles's Crypto.com Arena, the 2025 ceremony managed to accomplish something increasingly rare - it was genuinely fun to watch.
The night belonged to women in music, who dominated both performances and wins. Rising stars Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, and Chappell Roan electrified audiences with memorable sets that included Doechii's backflipping choreography and Roan's theatrical performance atop a giant pink horse.
But beyond the spectacle, the show carried weight through its messaging. Artists used their platform to address pressing social issues - Shakira dedicated her award to immigrants, Lady Gaga spoke up for trans rights, and Chappell Roan advocated for better working conditions in the music industry.
The evening reached its peak when Beyoncé made history by winning Album of the Year for "Cowboy Carter" - becoming only the fourth Black woman to receive the honor, following Lauryn Hill's win in 1999.
While star power filled the arena, with moments like Shakira and Beyoncé's mid-performance embrace and Alicia Keys singing along to newcomer Chappell Roan, it was the overall energy that set this ceremony apart. The show struck a delicate balance between celebration and substance.
The success of the 2025 Grammys suggests that awards shows aren't dead - they just needed the right combination of talent, authenticity, and cultural relevance to recapture audience attention. For one night at least, the Grammy Awards remembered how to put on a show worth watching.
In an era of declining viewership for awards ceremonies, this year's Grammys proved there's still an audience eager to tune in when the program delivers both entertainment and meaning. The question now becomes whether future ceremonies can maintain this newly rediscovered momentum.