Beyoncé thanks “queer community” and Kim Petras makes history at Grammys

And Randy Rainbow reacts to losing to Dave Chappelle in the Best Comedy Album category.

Mark

Feb 7, 2023 - 12:37

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Beyoncé thanks “queer community” and Kim Petras makes history at Grammys

Beyoncé thanks the queer community at the 65th Grammys — Beyoncé (Photo: Twitter)

Beyoncé and Kim Petras both made Grammys history in Los Angeles last night. Beyoncé scooped her 32nd Grammy award, which is more than anyone else in history.

In total, Beyoncé, 41, took four awards last night. “Break My Soul” won Best dance/electronic recording; Renaissance won Best Dance/Electronic Music Album; “Plastic Off the Sofa” won Best traditional R&B performance; and “Cuff It” won Best R&B song.

Delayed in traffic, the singing superstar actually turned up late to the ceremony at the Crypto.com Center. She missed the red carpet and her first award. Niles Rogers picked it up on her behalf.

However, she was present to accept her next, record-breaking award from James Corden. It was for her latest album, Renaissance.

Beyoncé gave an emotional acceptance speech.

“Thank you so much. I’m trying not to be too emotional. And I’m trying to just receive this night. I want to thank god for protecting me. Thank you, god. I’d like to thank my uncle Jonny, who’s not here. But he’s here in spirit.”

Beyoncé gives acceptance speech at the #Grammys for Renaissance: “I’d like to thank the queer community for your love and for inventing the genre.” pic.twitter.com/t6t4Jk5r7x
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 6, 2023

Beyoncé’s Uncle Jonny was gay. She has said he introduced her to the house music that inspired Renaissance.

“I’d like to thank my parents, my father, my mother, for loving me and pushing me,” she continued. “I’d like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful three children who are at home watching.

“I’d like to thank the queer community for your love. And for inventing this genre. God bless you. Thank you so much to the Grammys. Thank you.”

Other big winners on the night included Brandi Carlile (three awards) and Bonnie Raitt (three awards including Song of the Year for “Just Like That”), Harry Styles (Album of the Year for Harry’s House), Adele (Best Solo Pop Performance for “Easy On Me”) and Lizzo.

Viola Davis won her first Grammy for narrating her audiobook. This makes Davis an EGOT winner (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards).]

Sam Smith and Kim Petras

Sam Smith and Kim Petras won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their mega-hit, “Unholy”.

They also turned in one of the most talked about performances of the evening. They showed up on the red carpet with Drag Race alum Violet Chachki and Gottmik. All then took part in the devilish performance, which included Smith wearing satanic horns against a background of flames.

Looks like the #GRAMMYs just got a little unholy… @kimpetras @samsmith @gottmik @VioletChachki pic.twitter.com/hq17k9tp4n
— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) February 5, 2023

Smith and Petras were introduced by Madonna. She praised the “rebel” artists who are “forging a new path and taking the heat for it all.”

“You guys need to know, all you troublemakers out there need to know that your fearlessness does not go unnoticed,” the 64-year-old added. “You are seen, you are heard, and most of all you are appreciated.”

Accepting their award, Petras, 30, gave a speech acknowledging its significance.

“Sam graciously wanted me to accept this award because I’m the first transgender woman to win this award,” she said, to cheers. Smith is also the first out, non-binary artist to win a grammy.

“I just want to thank all of the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open before me so I could be here tonight,” Petras said. “Sophie, my friend who passed away two years ago, who told me this would happen and always believed in me. Thank you so much for your inspiration, Sophie. I adore you, and your inspiration will forever be in my music.”

“Sam [Smith] graciously wanted me to accept this award, because I’m the first transgender woman to win this award.” Watch Kim Petras’ acceptance speech from the #Grammys: pic.twitter.com/jQ52Sq0t6f
— Variety (@Variety) February 6, 2023

Petras also went on to thank Madonna “for fighting for LGBTQ rights, so much, I don’t think I could be here without Madonna.”

omg i’m a tranny with a grammy …
— kim petras (@kimpetras) February 6, 2023

Although Petras and Smith’s win proved a milestone for trans visibility, another award winner proved a sore point for many in the LGBTQ+ community. Dave Chappelle won Best Comedy Album for his controversial Netflix standup special The Closer. Many have blasted the show as transphobic.

We suspect one gay person particularly disappointed by Chappelle’s win was fellow nominee Randy Rainbow. The queer comic did his best to enjoy the evening anyway.