The Grammys have long been the stage for chaos, controversy and moments that made everyone collectively go, “Did that really just happen?” Here are ten times the music industry’s biggest night went completely off the rails. 

The Most Controversial Grammy Moments: Bianca Censori’s Nude Dress, Beyoncé’s Reaction to Her Country Album Win, Kendrick Lamar Drake Diss Track Win, and More 

Beyoncé’s Reaction to Her Country Album Win (2025) 

The 2025 Grammys saw Beyoncé become the first Black woman to win Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter—a moment so historic even she looked surprised. Presented by Taylor Swift, the win sent the internet into a frenzy. 

Kendrick Lamar Wins a Grammy for Dissing Drake (2025) 

Apparently, beef now comes with a golden gramophone. Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us” won both Record and Song of the Year at the 2025 Grammys, cementing the idea that if you drag your rival well enough, you might just get an award for it. Drake, of course, was nowhere to be found. 

Kanye West & Bianca Censori’s Barely-There Moment (2025) 

Kanye and controversy go together like the Grammys and awkward speeches. This time, it wasn’t Ye’s words but Bianca Censori’s nearly nonexistent dress that stole the show. With fabric seemingly on strike, the internet immediately went into meltdown mode, questioning if this was high fashion or just high-level trolling. 

Jennifer Lopez’s Infamous Green Dress (2000) 

Before Google Images, there was J.Lo’s jungle-print Versace dress. Her 2000 Grammys look was so talked about that it literally led to the creation of Google’s image search.  
 
  

Lady Gaga Arrives in an Egg (2011) 

While some artists simply walk the red carpet, Lady Gaga prefers grand hatching ceremonies. At the 2011 Grammys, she was carried in a giant egg before “emerging” on stage to perform Born This Way. Was it art? Was it weird? Yes, and yes. 

 Nicki Minaj’s Exorcism Performance (2012) 

Nicki Minaj doesn’t do subtle, and her 2012 Grammys performance proved just that. Arriving with a man dressed as the Pope, she launched into a full-blown on-stage exorcism, levitating and all. Religious groups were, unsurprisingly, not amused. 

Kanye West Interrupts Beck (2015) 

We all remember Kanye vs. Taylor at the VMAs, but Ye also took issue with Beck winning Album of the Year in 2015. Jumping on stage as Beck, an American folk musician with over 8 Grammy wins accepted the award, Kanye nearly snatched the mic before backing off—only to later rant that Beck should have given the award to Beyoncé. Some things never change. 

Adele Breaks Her Grammy for Beyoncé (2017) 

Adele won Album of the Year for 25, but she was so convinced Beyoncé deserved it for Lemonade that she literally broke her Grammy in half.  
  

Harry Styles Gets Booed After Beating Beyoncé (2023) 

Harry Styles won Album of the Year over Beyoncé in 2023, and the audience didn’t play fair. As he gave his acceptance speech, audible boos filled the room, leading to one of the most uncomfortable Grammy moments in recent history. 

Image Credits - Getty, Twitter, @recordingacademy, AP, Reuters