BEST
Joan River’s Grammy
The late comedienne’s legacy lives on. She was posthumously awarded the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for “Diary of a Mad Diva” in a ceremony prior to Sunday’s show. The album is the audio version of the late comedienne’s 12th book.
WORST
RiRi’s Cupcake Catastrophe
Did the “Diamonds” singer think she was walking the red carpet or in line for a red velvet cupcake? Rihanna brings style and pizzazz to everything she does, but the Grammys weren’t one of her best looks.
BEST
“Natural” Nicki Minaj
Nicki went au-naturel on the red carpet in a fitting black Tom Ford gown, with a plunging but classy neckline and slicked back hair to match. It was a toned down look for the “Anaconda” singer, who has walked the carpet with the Pope by her side at the 54th Grammy Awards
BEST & WORST
Madonna Moonlight as a Matador, With an Emphasis on Moon
The 56-year-old entertainer looked fabulous in her matador-inspired Givenchy outfit. But as much as we loved to see her arrive on the red carpet, we hated to see her walking away — because her butt wasn’t covered at all!
WORST
Iggy Azalea’s Hair-Don’t
Iggy Azalea served in a long blue dress with sheer, geometric cut outs, but her hair? Not so much. The do trended quickly on Twitter with comparisons to a Russian muskrat hat or curled goat horns.
WORST
Charli XCX Tries to Get too “Fancy”
Charlie XCX isn’t known for not playing by the rule, but this time she may have gone a tad too far. The “Boom Clap” singer stepped out on the Grammys red carpet wearing a pink Moschino tuxedo, bow tie and pink fur wrap, which had some fashionistas seeing red.
BEST
Things That Look Like Other Things
Pharrell looked like a bellhop! Nick Jonas looked like Pee-Wee Herman! Rihanna looked like a shuttlecock! Everyone looked like something else on Sunday.
WORST
Social media turns on AC/DC
Good music stays under appreciated. AC/DC fired up the Grammy audience with “Rock or Bust” and “Highway to Hell,” but some found it boring. @Haylee_Kitties wrote their performance was a snore fest. False.
WORST
Pharrell’s Humblebrag
Pulling a page, perhaps, from Anne Hathaway’s playbook, some felt Pharrell victory speeches were filled with fake humility.
WORST
Jessie J and Tom Jones’ Disaster Duet
The English singer and veteran crooner took on The Righteous Brothers’ 1964 hit “You’ve Got That Loving Feelin’” to some harsh reviews online who thought the performance slowed down the show.
WORST
Pharrell Hops to It
First, he wore the Arby’s hat. Now, he’s working at a hotel. The Grammy-winning singer wore a bellhop outfit while performing “Happy.” Social media users quickly compared him to “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and Esteban in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.”
BEST
Pharrell and His “Happy” Crew Go “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot”
Despite the jokes on his bellhop outfit, many praised the “Happy” singer for his subtle “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” gesture onstage. Millions used the phrase as a rally call while protesting a white while protesting recent deaths of at the hands of police officers.
BEST
Grammys Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence
President Barack Obama delivered a powerful PSA against domestic violence at the Grammys, then survivor Brooke Axtella shared her inspiring tale, and finally Katy Perry performed “By the Grace of God.”
BEST
Kanye West Nearly Pulls Another Kanye West
The rapper interrupted Beck’s acceptance speech for “Best Album of the Year.” Many praised the joke unlike in 2009 when West cut Taylor Swift’s speech short for Best Female Video at the 2009 VMA’s.
BEST
Kristen Wiig Channels Sia.
Singer Sia set the Grammy Awards stage on fire with the help of surprise guest Kristen Wiig. The former “Saturday Night Live” star had audiences in stitches as she channeled Sia during a performance of her hit song, “Chandelier.”
NEITHER
“Straight Outta Compton”/Suge Knight
The rap mogul’s latest tussle with the law resurfaced when Universal Pictures aired a “Straight Outta Compton” ad during the awards show. Knight is currently in jail after he ran over two men – killing one – Jan. 29 during the ad’s filming.
WORST
Too Many Ballads
The vast majority of this year’s performances were down tempo, which gave the show a sluggish feel, according to some critics. Then again, CBS typically caters to an older, more traditional audience.
