It was the year of the woman at the 2024 Grammys.
Regarding everything from performances to wins, women dominated the 2024 Grammys that took place Feb. 4 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Tracy Chapman performed her hit "Fast Car" (with country-music singer Luke Combs, who had a #1 hit with a remake of it); Joni Mitchell sang with out musician Brandi Carlile and others; and Celine Dion, who suffers from stiff-person syndrome, made a stunning appearance to present the album of the year award.
But also, women won all the televised competitive awards at this year's event, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Bisexual singer Phoebe Bridgers was the night's top winner, with four awards; and SZA and Victoria Monet had three wins each. Taylor Swift brought fellow singer Lana Del Reywho has been nominated for 11 Grammys but has never wonon stage when she won album of the year, for Midnights. (In the process, Swift set a record with her fourth Grammy for best album.) Earlier in the evening, Swift won best pop vocal album and took the opportunity to announce her new album in her acceptance speech.
Queer singer Miley Cyrus won for record of the year, for "Flowers," besting competitors such as Olivia Rodrigo, Swift, boygenius and Jon Batiste; Mariah Carey presented her with the award. (Cyrus won her first two Grammys ever on Feb. 3, with the other being for best pop solo performance.) Karol G won for best musica urbana album, for Manana Sera Bonito. Monet won for best new artist, edging musicians such as Noah Kahan, The War and Treaty, Jelly Roll and Ice Spice. LGBTQ+ musician Billie Eilish (with brother Finneas O'Connell) won for song of the year, for the Barbie track "What Was I Made For?"
Early Grammy winners included former First Lady Michelle Obama, who won her second Grammy for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording for The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times. Mitchell won the Grammy in the best folk album category, for Joni Mitchell At Newport [Live], making it her 10th Grammy.
Even a woman who didn't perform, win or present made news as Jay-Z (while accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award) criticized the Recording Academy for not ever honoring wife Beyonce with the best album award, although she has more than 30 Grammys.
Andrew Davis