Women have swept the top awards at the Grammys with Taylor Swift winning album of the year for the fourth time, the only artist to win the top music industry prize so many times during their career. Billie Eilish, 22, claimed song of the year, which honours songwriting, for What Was I Made For?, a ballad written for the Barbie soundtrack, while 31-year-old Miley Cyrus won record of the year for her song Flowers. The best new artist went to R&B and pop singer Victoria Monet.
Monet’s 2-year-old daughter, Hazel Monet Gaines, too has achieved a historic milestone, gracing the red carpet as the youngest person ever nominated for a Grammy Award. Walking alongside her 34-year-old R&B singer mother, Hazel symbolises familial triumph and a unique intersection of personal and professional success.
Victoria Monet’s Daughter, Hazel, Makes Grammy Waves as Youngest Nominee
Monet, in reflecting on this monumental moment, shared the depth of her journey, acknowledging the daunting challenges she faced, particularly navigating pregnancy during the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. She opened up about the fears associated with being a pregnant woman, where the shadows of career concerns and the delicate balance of motherhood loomed large.
Victoria Monét wins the award Best New Artist at the 2024 #Grammys pic.twitter.com/2TNbTnj2iu
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 5, 2024
Amidst this backdrop, the red carpet interview with E! News captured Monet’s sentiment, revealing the profound beauty of the occasion. She expressed the intricacies of her emotional landscape, describing the experience as both daunting and breathtaking. Sharing this significant moment with her daughter, she found a powerful affirmation from a divine force— a nod from God, signalling that she is on the right path and encouraging her to persevere.
This narrative unfolds as a story of resilience, where Monet’s personal and professional worlds converge on the grand stage of the Grammys. It paints a picture of a mother navigating through the challenges of both her career and motherhood, breaking barriers and making history with her toddler by her side.
The 2-year-old Hazel’s presence becomes a testament to the strength found in the delicate balance of life’s complexities. The story encapsulates not just a Grammy nomination but a profound chapter in Grammy history, where a mother and her daughter stand together, defying expectations and embodying the intertwining realms of family and fame.
Other female winners of the night included Lainey Wilson for best country album, Karol G for best música urbana album, Laufey for best traditional pop vocal album and Coco Jones for best R&B performance. Kylie Minogue picked up her second Grammy, winning the inaugural best pop dance recording award for Padam Padam, beating out Bebe Rexha and fellow Australian Troye Sivan.
Joni Mitchell performed at the Grammys for the first-ever time at the age of 80. In her introduction, Brandi Carlile called her “one of the most influential and emotionally generous creators in human history”. Mitchell also won the award for Best Folk Album.
“It’s a very joyous record because of the people I played with and the spirit of the occasion was very high…Even the audience sounds like music.” – Joni on her Best Folk Album win for AT NEWPORT at the GRAMMYS last night. pic.twitter.com/ehuCJzxvuo
— Joni Mitchell (@jonimitchell) February 5, 2024
The only real televised criticism came from Jay-Z, the lone man awarded solo on the telecast (Finneas also won a televised Grammy, alongside his sister, Billie Eilish).
In his speech, he called out the Grammys for a spotty history with Black artists. “I’m just saying, we want y’all to get it right,” he said.
Then he switched focus to Beyoncé, who last year became the most decorated artist in Grammy history, with 32 trophies. He added, “Obviously it’s subjective because it’s music,” but called out the recording academy on wife Beyoncé’s behalf. “I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has the most Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year,” he said. “So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that: the most Grammys. Never won album of the year. That doesn’t work.”
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