The Tamesis
The night’s most exciting performances came from recent Golden Globe winners EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami; the trio behind gold from K-Pop Demon Hunter. The entire crowd danced and sang along, and even Jeff Goldblum stood up and swayed to the catchy tune. (With five Grammy nominations this year, gold was the hit song to win the coveted Song of the Year award – something not seen since The Lion King circle of life In 1995, a song from the animated film won both a Grammy and an Oscar. )
“I still can’t believe we were nominated. It’s so surreal,” EJAE, who co-wrote the record-breaking hit, told Us Fashion. “If we win, this award won’t just be for me, but for representation. I want to open doors for Korean Americans and Korean women in the music industry. You don’t see a lot of us. Emily Blunt told me her family just got one K-Pop Demon Hunter Throwing a birthday party for her kids–so awesome! I feel so honored when celebrities tell us how much they love the movie and the song. “
Three Best New Artist nominees also performed. Olivia Dean performs soulful rendition of her chart-topping song The person I need, Alex Warren performs his emotional song ordinary, Sombr’s virality thrills viewers 12 o’clock to 12 o’clock, Dressed in his signature glam rock style attire. “My fashion motto is, ‘Would Mick Jagger wear this?’ If the answer is yes, then I’ll wear it,” he laughed, referring to his chain-embellished skintight suit. “I’ve been working with [stylist] Brandon Tan has been working on it for a while and we are great collaborators. As for what comes next, he hints at more capital-L It seems. “You’ll be in for a treat,” he quipped with a coy smile.
Guests ate grilled chicken and mashed potatoes while walking around the room chatting with friends. Pharrell Williams hung out with Shaboozey and Sombr before meeting up with Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. Nearby, Teyana Taylor laughed with Stevie Wonder. Heidi Klum squatted on the floor chatting with Demi Lovato and her husband Jordan Roots. At one table, Lizzo and Jennifer Hudson posed for photos while Jack Antonoff chatted with Lana Del Rey.
Midway through the evening, Davis gave a shout-out to reporter Don Lemon, who was arrested and later released while covering an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church. When Lemon stood up, the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Stevie Wonder highlighted the night’s honorees, brothers Monte Lipman and Avery Lipman and founders of Republic Records, which also drew a round of applause.
As the clock struck midnight and the lights went up, guests walked out of the Beverly Hilton Hotel eager to win forty before doing it all again on Sunday night.
