Lady Gaga Set for Grammy Stage Following Political Statement in Tokyo
With the 68th annual Grammy Awards approaching this Sunday, February 1, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the performance lineup has expanded with a major addition. It has been confirmed that global superstar Lady Gaga will take the stage for the second consecutive year, joining previously announced performers including Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Tyler, The Creator, and BLACKPINK'S Rosé.
Grammy Nominations and Musical Achievements
Lady Gaga arrives at this year's ceremony with significant recognition, being nominated for seven awards. This brings her illustrious career total to an impressive 45 Grammy nominations and 14 wins. Her seventh solo studio album, MAYHEM, released in March 2025, is a contender for the coveted Album of the Year prize. Additionally, her single Abracadabra is nominated in both the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories.
Further showcasing her versatility, the companion soundtrack album Harlequin, released alongside the 2024 film Joker: Folie à Deux, is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Last year, Gaga performed at the Grammys alongside Bruno Mars, dedicating their collaborative hit Die With A Smile to the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
Performance Lineup and Fellow Nominees
The 2026 Grammy performance roster features a diverse array of talent. Sabrina Carpenter, the first performer announced earlier this week, is nominated for six awards, including Album of the Year for Man's Best Friend. Justin Bieber sees his album Swag nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, with tracks like Daisies and Yukon also receiving nods. His later album, Swag II, released just past the eligibility cutoff, is not in contention this year.
Tyler, The Creator earned six nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Rap Album for Chromakopia, and Best Rap Song for Sticky. Rosé of BLACKPINK received her first Grammy nomination this year for the collaborative track APT. with Bruno Mars, which is also up for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Political Activism Precedes Announcement
The confirmation of Lady Gaga's Grammy performance came mere hours after the 39-year-old artist made a powerful political statement during her MAYHEM Ball tour stop in Tokyo, Japan. In a now-viral speech, she paused her concert to condemn the ongoing ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids in the United States.
Expressing her heartache, Gaga told the audience, "In a couple of days, I'm gonna be heading home and my heart is aching thinking about the people, the children, the families, all over America, who are being mercilessly targeted by ICE." She highlighted the recent fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, an incident that has sparked widespread scrutiny and protests.
Gaga urged for a return to "safety and peace and accountability," stating, "Good people shouldn't have to fight so hard and risk their lives for well-being and respect." She dedicated her song Come to Mama to those suffering and feeling helpless.
Celebrity Solidarity and Broader Context
Lady Gaga joins a growing list of high-profile celebrities, including Mark Ruffalo, Olivia Wilde, and Wanda Sykes, who have recently spoken out against ICE, particularly following the Minneapolis incident. These condemnations have occurred at events such as the Golden Globes and the Sundance Film Festival, reflecting heightened tensions over immigration enforcement in the U.S.
As the Grammy Awards approach, this blend of artistic celebration and social commentary underscores the event's role as a platform where music and current affairs intersect. Fans and critics alike will be watching to see how these themes may influence the ceremony and performances on Sunday.
