At the 2026 Grammys, on Feb. 1, countless celebrities took to the stage to accept awards, and throughout the night many used their acceptance speeches as a platform to speak out against the ongoing political state. Specifically, celebrities denounced Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah hosted the Grammys, and in doing so he created a highly politically charged atmosphere. Noah’s jokes included many pointed anti-ICE and anti-President Donald Trump statements, making a humorous but clear message that accompanied the more straightforward anti-ICE sentiments from the celebrities.
Trump took to Truth Social to denounce the information in the host’s monologue.
“Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!! I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused being there, not even by the Fake News Media,” the post read.
Billie Eilish
After losing all of her nominations for her hit album “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” Billie Eilish won a Grammy after being nominated in the Song of the Year category for her song “Wildflower.” While giving her acceptance speech, Eilish vocalized her opinions on ICE and the current immigration policies.
“As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything, but that no one is illegal on stolen land,” Eilish said. “I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting.”
Eilish has posted about politics and used her platform for similar reasons before. This particular speech prompted outrage and backlash against the singer. Some even called on her to “return” her mansion, which sits on the ancestral territory of the Tongva tribe.
Bad Bunny
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, referred to as Bad Bunny, won Album of the Year at the Grammys, a historic feat, as his is the only completely Spanish-sung album ever to win the award. The singer used his acceptance speech to deliver a targeted message about ICE.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans,” Bad Bunny said.
When concluding his speech, he said, “the only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.” This sentiment was reiterated in his Super Bowl performance as the singer had a billboard behind him while he was performing that displayed the phrase.
Olivia Dean
When Dean took home her award for Best New Artist, she expressed her gratitude towards immigrants and detailed the fundamental role her background played in her life.
“I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated,” Dean said during her acceptance speech.
While not explicitly speaking out against ICE, her speech delivered a poignant message about the importance and value of immigrants in our country.
“We’re nothing without each other,” Dean finished.
A Visual Protest
While not all celebrities got the chance to deliver a speech, countless artists sported “ICE Out” pins on their clothing, representing a cohesive message against it.
Among the celebrities adorning the pins were Justin and Hailey Bieber, Joni Mitchell, Carol King, Jack Antonoff, Kehlani and many others.
Justin Vernon, the lead singer of Bon Iver, donned an orange whistle on the lapel of his suit. Vernon explained to reporters that the whistle honored protestors and activists in Minneapolis who used said whistles to alert residents of ICE officials’ whereabouts.
The night was filled with talented artists and captivating performances, yet the Grammys made it clear that celebrities don’t agree with the state of affairs in the country, and more importantly that they won’t stand by quietly.
