With red carpet coverage starting only hours after news broke of the devastating death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, a somber energy permeated the 62nd Grammy Awards. Held in the Staples Centre, which is also the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, the event held even more weight for the star-studded guest list and award nominees, many of whom had close relationships with the basketballer and his family.
Messages of love flowing in online, the award ceremony itself was full of heartfelt tributes to the retired Lakers player and his family.
1/ Priyanka Chopra’s manicure
Before the ceremony itself had started, Priyanka Chopra made headlines for her subtle dedication, a feature nail made out to the NBA star and his Lakers uniform number #24.
2/ Lizzo dedicates opening number
As the opening musical act, Lizzo began her performance by first saying “Tonight is for Kobe”, before launching into an emotional rendition of “Cause I Love You”.
3/ Alicia Keys’ speech
Host, Alicia Keys followed Lizzo by officially opening the show with an emotional speech. “We are literally standing here heartbroken, in the house that Kobe Byrant built. I would like to ask everybody to take a moment and hold them inside of you…We never imagined in a million years we would have to start the show like this, so we wanted to do something that could describe a tiny bit how we all feel right now…We gotta make this a celebration in his honour, he would want us to keep the vibrations high. Music is that language we can all speak, no matter where we’re from.” Alicia was then joined on stage by Boyz II Men to sing an a cappella tribute of “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday”.
As the sports, music and Hollywood industries come together in support, shock makes ways for deep sadness. Heartbroken for all the families that lost loved ones.