2017 Grammys: Jennifer Lopez Made a Moving Political Statement at the Award Ceremony
Jennifer Lopez is the latest celebrity to make a politically-charged statement on an awards-show stage. At the 2017 Grammy Awards, Lopez presented the first award of the evening—Best New Artist. But before naming the nominees and the winner, J. Lo took time to make a powerful stand.
Lopez opened her speech by reminiscing about her first Grammy Awards. “I will never forget my first Grammy nomination—or the dress I wore that night,” she joked, before getting serious. “But, yes, this night is not about dresses or even the awards,”she continued. “It is about the music, the words, and the voices. How they move us, inspire us, and touch all our lives. At this particular moment in history, our voices are needed more than ever.”
J. Lo’s speech was immediately met with applause, and she continued on to quote Toni Morrison in her call to action. “As Toni Morrison once said, ‘This is precisely the time when artists go to work,'” Lopez said. “‘There is no time for despair, no place for self pity, no need for silence, and no room for fear. We do language. That is how civilizations heal.'”
To finish, Lopez brought it back to the reason for the evening: The music. “So tonight, we celebrate our most universal language— music,” she said. “And as we honor the voices of the past and present, here’s to the new voices.”
Grammys 2017: See What Everyone Wore on the Red Carpet
Recording artist Adele attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Recording artist Halsey attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Recording artist Desiigner attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singer-songwriter Tinashe attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Paris Jackson attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singer Santigold attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Demi Lovato attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singers Leon Bridges and Brittni Jessie attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Jennifer Lopez attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Actor Lea Michele attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Producer Diplo attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Recording artist Jill Scott attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singer Camila Cabello attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Singer Tori Kelly attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Actor/singer Kat Graham attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Rapper Rick Ross attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Nick Jonas attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Jason Derulo attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill attend The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Carrie Underwood attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Heidi Klum attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Katharine McPhee attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Charli XCX attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Laverne Cox attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Remy Ma and Fat Joe attend The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Katy Perry attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Céline Dion attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Lil Yachty attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
DJ Khaled, Asahd Tuck Khaled, and Nicole Tuck attend The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Chance the Rapper attends The 59th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. See their full red carpet look, here.
Jennifer Lopez has never wanted to blend in:
