While Grammys pre-show host LeVar Burton took a jab at Will Smith for his Oscar slap, both Grammys host Trevor Noah and presenter Questlove took some shots as well.
It was actually Questlove, 51, whose Oscar award for Best Documentary for Summer of Soul was about to be announced when Will Smith walked on stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock.
Grammys host Trevor Noah subtly alluded to the slap during his opening monologue, while Questlove took a subtle dig before presenting Song of the Year.
Shot fired: While Grammys pre-show host LeVar Burton took a jab at Will Smith for his Oscar slap, both Grammys host Trevor Noah and presenter Questlove took some shots as well
The slap: It was actually Questlove, 51, whose Oscar award for Best Documentary for Summer of Soul was about to be announced when Will Smith walked on stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock
Presenter: Grammys host Trevor Noah subtly alluded to the slap during his opening monologue, while Questlove took a subtle dig before presenting Song of the Year
Noah, who was hosting the Grammy’s for a second year in a row – this time with the show moving to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas – was wrapping up his speech and about to introduce performers Silk Sonic when he addressed the slap.
Noah was just finishing up revealing the numerous performers for the night, when he revealed the Grammys wasn’t just an awards show.
Wrapping up: Noah, who was hosting the Grammy’s for a second year in a row – this time with the show moving to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas – was wrapping up his speech and about to introduce performers Silk Sonic when he addressed the slap
‘We’re gonna be listening to music, we’re gonna be dancing we’re gonna be singing, we’re gonna be keeping people’s names out of our mouths, and we’re gonna be giving out awards all through the night,’ Noah said to applause from the crowd.
Just a few minutes later, Questlove was introduced by Noah, exactly one week after his first Oscar win for Best Documentary for Summer of Soul.
Questlove took to the stage and got into it right away, starting out with, ‘OK I’m going to present this award, and I trust that you people will stay 500 feet away from me.’
Names out of mouths: ‘We’re gonna be listening to music, we’re gonna be dancing we’re gonna be singing, we’re gonna be keeping people’s names out of our mouths, and we’re gonna be giving out awards all through the night,’ Noah said to applause from the crowd
before getting serious, adding, ‘They say it’s better to give than receive, and I’m not so sure about that because last Sunday, of course, it felt pretty good to receive an award.’
He added it also felt great to win a Grammy for Best Music Film for his Hulu documentary Summer of Soul.
Questlove said, ‘This is gonna be a special moment for someone and we’re gonna make a memory for them tonight,’ before announcing the nominees.
Memories: Questlove said, ‘This is gonna be a special moment for someone and we’re gonna make a memory for them tonight,’ before announcing the nominees
Thankfully there was no controversial moment like Will Smith’s slap during the lengthy three-and-a-half-hour Grammy ceremony hosted deftly by Noah.
In the week since the slap, Smith resigned from The Academy, with a few of his film projects even falling apart in the wake of the controversy.
Chris Rock briefly addressed the slap during his Monday stand-up comedy performance in Boston, though he admitted he’s still ‘processing’ everything.
Host: Thankfully there was no controversial moment like Will Smith’s slap during the lengthy three-and-a-half-hour Grammy ceremony hosted deftly by Noah
