At the 2026 Grammys, music’s biggest stars didn’t just perform. They took a stand. From Justin Bieber to Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, and Kehlani, celebrities spoke out against ICE and showed solidarity with immigrants.
Images: Instagram
This year, Grammys became a lightning rod for political statements, as some of music’s biggest names used the spotlight to speak out against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With protests surging nationwide following the deaths of two US citizens at the hands of ICE agents in Minneapolis, the event became more than just a celebration of music.
The Biebers arrived at the Grammys looking every bit the celebrity power couple, but it wasn’t just fashion that caught the eye. Both Justin and Hailey Bieber sported “ICE Out” pins on the red carpet signaling their support for immigrants and calling for accountability.
Advertisement
Justin, nominated for four awards and performing at the show, let his style do some talking before his performance.
Advertisement
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell didn’t just make a quiet nod with their outfits. They added their voices loud and clear. Both siblings adorned “ICE Out” pins, but the real fireworks came when they took the stage to accept Song of the Year for “Wildflower.”
Billie paused, her usually soft voice cutting through the glitz: “No one is illegal on stolen land,” she declared, before adding bluntly, “F’ck ICE.”
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who won Best Música Urbana Album for ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’, also made the night about more than music. In his acceptance speech, he made his position clear: “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out. We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We are not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
He didn’t stop there, adding a message of unity: “The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”
Rising star Olivia Dean, who snagged Best New Artist, took the stage and instantly made it personal. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” Dean said. “I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.”
R&B powerhouse Kehlani, winner of both Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for ‘Folded’, made no attempt to tone down her message. On the red carpet, she wore an “ICE Out” pin and told The Hollywood Reporter she wanted to “say ‘F’ck ICE,’” but opted for a slightly more polished approach.
Once on stage, however, she unleashed her unfiltered thoughts, condemning ICE and expressing hope that artists would unite for justice. “Together, we’re stronger in numbers,” she said. “We must speak against all the injustice going on in the world right now… F’ck ICE.”
It wasn’t just pop and R&B stars getting vocal. Country artist Shaboozey, accepting his first Grammy alongside Jelly Roll for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Amen,” turned his moment into a tribute to immigrants.
“Immigrants built this country, literally,” he said. “So this is for them, for all children of immigrants… Thank you for bringing your culture, your music, your stories and your traditions here. You give America color. I love y’all so much.”
Music royalty Joni Mitchell, accepting the Grammy for Best Historical Album for ‘Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4: The Asylum Years – 1976-1980’, accessorised her outfit with the now-iconic “ICE Out” pin.
Jazz sensation Samara Joy, who won Best Jazz Vocal Album for ‘Portrait’ before the televised show, also wore the “ICE Out” pin. She explained her reasoning to ‘Variety’: “Now is not the time to get super down or downtrodden about what’s going on, but to speak up and speak out for those who can’t at the moment. It’s the least I could do.”
Bon Iver founder Justin Vernon brought a different kind of symbolism to the event. Wearing a whistle pin, he paid tribute to Minneapolis observers who “blow the whistle when they see ICE come in.”
Speaking to ‘Variety’, Vernon explained, “They are there to protect their community and they’ve been doing it for weeks… The real work is in the streets of Minneapolis right now, and I’m here to honor them.”
He recounted the recent death of Alex Pretti, one of the US citizens killed by ICE, saying that seeing grassroots activism rekindle hope inspired him to attend the Grammys and amplify their work.
Advertisement
