While the Grammys may be the biggest night in music, it’s important to acknowledge that we don’t always tune in solely for the trophies. We’re here for the drama, the speeches, the outfits, and the chaos. And those glorious “Wait, did that really just happen?” moments that go down in pop culture history.
Beyoncé’s stunning transformation, Gaga’s remarkable arrival, and a renegade yodeling cowboy riding shotgun with Lil Nas X were all unforgettable moments. This list honors the boldest, wildest, and most unforgettable moments the Grammys have ever bestowed upon us. Whether it’s a historic win, a jaw-dropping performance, or a fashion choice that launched a thousand Google searches, these 11 epic moments prove one thing: the Grammys never just hand out awards—they serve iconic content.
1. Helen Reddy Thanks God—She—for Her Grammy Win (1973)
When Helen Reddy won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1973 for her feminist anthem “I Am Woman,” she didn’t just make Grammy history—she made waves. Accepting the award, Reddy famously thanked “God—because She makes everything possible,” delivering one of the first unapologetically feminist moments on the Grammy stage. It was bold, powerful, and decades ahead of its time. The speech sent shockwaves, the song became a rallying cry, and Helen Reddy became a trailblazer for women in music with one legendary mic drop.
2. Lady Gaga Arrives in an Egg (2011)
In a moment that blurred the line between high fashion, performance art, and sci-fi cosplay, Lady Gaga hatched a new era—literally. At the 2011 Grammys, she arrived encased in a giant translucent egg (excuse me, vessel), carried down the red carpet by latex-clad attendants like a glittery Cleopatra in quarantine. Gaga later “emerged” from said egg on stage to perform “Born This Way,” delivering vocals, attitude, and a full-on rebirth metaphor all in one go. It was bizarre, brilliant, and so uniquely Gaga that it’s now preserved in pop culture history as one of the most unforgettable award show entrances ever.
3. Beyoncé’s Glowing Goddess Performance (2017)
Heavily pregnant with twins and still serving more choreography and divine energy than most pop stars on a good day, Beyoncé’s 2017 Grammy performance was less a concert and more a spiritual awakening. Draped in gold, channeling fertility goddesses, and flanked by dancers who moved like honey, she performed “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles” in a visual masterpiece that felt like a Renaissance painting come to life. There were holograms, there was levitation, and there was a chair lean so dramatic it made everyone collectively gasp.
4. Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP-tastic Performance (2021)
If there were any doubts that the Grammy stage could handle full-on raunch-glam, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion erased them with their unapologetically bold 2021 performance of “WAP.” There was twerking, tongue flicking, thigh-slapping, and a level of choreography that screamed, “We came to entertain—and maybe scandalize your uncle.” It was empowering, provocative, and the exact amount of chaos the pandemic-era Grammys needed.
5. Pink’s Aerial Acrobatics (2010)
In 2010, Pink gazed at the Grammy stage, contemplating the possibility of defying gravity. Performing “Glitter in the Air,” she ascended into the rafters in a flowing, barely-there bodysuit, spinning and twirling above the audience like a headliner from Cirque du Soleil headliner with a Grammy nomination. Oh, and did we mention she was soaked in water and still singing live? It was part aerial silk performance, part vocal masterclass, and 100% jaw-dropping. Somewhere, every pop star with a wind machine cried a little.
6. Taylor Swift’s Subtle-but-Not-Subtle Mic Drop (2016)
When Taylor Swift became the first woman to win Album of the Year twice as a lead artist (this time for 1989), she used her 2016 Grammy acceptance speech to deliver what can only be described as a sparkly, high-ponytail-powered clapback. Although she refrained from naming names, it was crystal clear she was addressing Kanye West’s claim that he “made her famous.” Taylor kept it classy but cutting, reminding young women everywhere to focus on their work and not let anyone take credit for their success. It was polished, powerful, and peak Swift—equal parts grace and grit.
7. Jennifer Lopez’s Green Versace Dress (2000)
You know a fashion moment is truly iconic when it forces Google to invent an entirely new search feature. Enter: J.Lo at the 2000 Grammys. She showed up in a sheer, jungle-printed Versace gown with a neckline so plunging it practically waved hello to her bellybutton—and the internet broke. People were so obsessed, Google created Google Images just to handle the demand. Equal parts daring, divine, and deeply imprinted in pop culture memory, the dress wasn’t just a look—it was a movement.
8. Eminem and Elton John Perform “Stan” (2001)
In what might be the most unexpected—and iconic—Grammy duet of all time, Eminem and Elton John joined forces in 2001 to perform “Stan.” At the time, Eminem was under fire for his controversial lyrics, with critics accusing him of promoting homophobia. So what did he do? Invite Sir Elton, an openly gay legend and musical powerhouse, to perform alongside him. The result was electric: Elton on piano, Eminem delivering razor-sharp verses, and the two ending the set with a hug that silenced the haters (and possibly confused your dad). The live performance was a bold and brilliant response to the controversy.
9. Cardi B’s Delightfully Chaotic Grammy Speech (2019)
When Cardi B became the first solo female rapper to win Best Rap Album for Invasion of Privacy in 2019, her acceptance speech was precisely what you’d hope for—raw, real, slightly unfiltered, and very, very Cardi. Dressed in a jaw-dropping vintage Thierry Mugler look, she hit the stage wide-eyed and breathless, managing to thank her team, her family, her daughter Kulture, and somehow, everyone she’s ever met. She laughed, she nearly cried, and she dropped a few NSFW gems that only made her more lovable. It was messy, magnetic, and one for the history books.
10. Lil Nas X’s Viral “Old Town Road” Collab Extravaganza (2020)
If you gave a 10-year-old the Grammys production budget and told them to go wild, you’d probably end up with something close to Lil Nas X’s 2020 “Old Town Road” performance—and that’s a compliment. It was a multiverse of cowboy hats, neon lighting, and surprise guests bursting out like confetti cannons. Billy Ray Cyrus was there. BTS? Absolutely. Diplo with a rhinestone-covered banjo? Why not? Mason Ramsey yodeling in a cowboy getup? Obviously. It was chaotic, colorful, and the most yeehaw-fueled fever dream ever broadcast on live TV. The Grammys may never be that fun again.
11. Chappell Roan’s Glittery Grammy Glow-Up (2024)
While she didn’t take home a trophy, Chappell Roan absolutely stole the show at the 2024 Grammys with a performance that felt like a queer prom, Broadway revival, and glitter bomb all in one. Draped in theatrical glam and unapologetic camp, Roan served powerhouse vocals and razor-sharp choreography during “Pink Pony Club”—turning the stage into a pink fever dream where heartbreak meets high drama. Imagine Lady Gaga, a drag pageant, and pure pop excellence coming together. It was the kind of debut that makes you go, “Wait—who is that?” and then immediately add her entire discography to your playlist.