It’s no secret that I’m a diehard Olivia Rodrigo fan. I take great pride in my status as a supporter predating the release of “Driver’s License.” I distinctly remember doing my homework while listening to a Youtube playlist of her songs – all snippets taken from her Instagram. Over spring break, I attended the “Swift and Sour” event in Orlando: a nightclub that exclusively plays Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo.
Needless to say, I was biased going into this year’s Grammy Awards show.
My expectations turned out pretty well, as were many other fans of Olivia. She took home three Grammys for “best new artist,” “best pop solo performance,” and “best pop vocal album.” It was no contest that she would win the “best new artist” category, but I was pleasantly surprised that she won the others. She deserves her wins, and after a year of living as an overnight sensation, she is apt to get her recognition in the music world.
As a Taylor Swift girlie to my core, I was a bit disappointed that Evermore didn’t win anything, but honestly, I wasn’t surprised. Staying true to the internet’s running joke, it seems like even Taylor herself forgot about the album. Though I’ve gone through my Evermore Winter™ twice now, it remains lost in the field of recognition. The silver lining is that now I get to gatekeep it and behave obnoxiously whenever anyone mentions it.
In a grand sweep, Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open” won for both record and song of the year and best R&B song and performance. Bruno Mars’ and Anderson. Paak’s re-emergence as the iconic R&B duo was a breath of fresh air, and they most definitely deserved their wins.
Moving on to my unsolicited hot takes, I firmly believe that Brandi Carlile was robbed. Though she won a Grammy with her group, The Highwomen, for “Crowded Table” in 2021, she should have won more for her various works of art that were nominated this year. I realize that I actually agree with the artists that did win, but I think Brandi Carlile deserves more recognition in general, so I’m choosing to be mad about it.
In the biggest category: Album of the Year, Jon Batiste won with “We Are,” which I think was the biggest surprise to everyone. Even Batiste himself seemed surprised when he walked up to the stage. Most people I’ve heard from don’t know who Batiste is, but I’m happy for him. I don’t really know him either, but maybe I should start listening to him.
As a lover of fashion, any red carpet event is exciting for me. To no one’s surprise, I have to start with Olivia Rodrigo. She wore a Vivienne Westwood black gown with sparkly pink detailing reminiscent of the butterfly motif that has been continuously present throughout the Sour Era. She was absolutely stunning and continues to grace the red carpet with classically beautiful looks.
I also loved Doja Cat’s look in Versace, with a baby blue off-the-shoulder bodysuit with a shimmery overlay. Similarly, Paris Hilton wore a sheer silver gown with sequined applique strategically placed around her body.
Menswear is typically hard to make interesting, but Leon Bridges and Lil Nas X both wore beautifully detailed suits. Bridges’ white suit was embroidered with gold thread in the shape of branches with leaves. My favorite part of the ensemble was the shoes, which were also white and covered in gold leaves and flowers. Lil Nas X’s suit was a combination of quilted fabric, pearl embellishments, and painted fabric. It’s incredibly detailed, and I would love to study it up close.
I’m satisfied by this year’s Grammy Awards, and my status as an Olivia Rodrigo fan is further cemented. I’m excited to see what she continues to do throughout her career. This year’s fashion wasn’t showstopping, but I wasn’t completely disappointed. The few gems that stood out captivated my attention, and overall I thought it was a nice way to end this year’s award season.
Words by Caroline Tetlow.
Graphic by Aanvik Singh.