The 7 women who tore the house down at the Grammys
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Grammy 2015 women we love
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox stole the show last night with her . . . voice. Shunning any distracting or embarrassing stage antics (we’re looking at you Madonna), Lennox, now 60, added soul and clarity to Hozier’s already haunting “Take Me To Church,” and when she broke into Screaming Jay Hawkins “I Put A Spell on You” she was the one truly devastating performance of the night. And yes, she did do an air-trumpet solo.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Miranda Lambert
After a confusing (AC/DC) and slow (Ariana Grande) start to the show, Miranda Lambert injected some much-needed sass into the telecast. Decked out in black leather, she performed a fiery “Little Red Wagon” with as much rock swagger as a country artist can pull off. There were pyrotechnics, bleeped-out cursing, and attitude that put Kanye to shame: “You can't step to this backyard swagger. You know it ain't my fault when I'm walkin' jaws droppin."
Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.
Brooke Axtell
Sandwiched between Barack Obama and Katy Perry, the Austin-based writer and performance artist held her own, detailing her domestic abuse, and then urging others to get help: “If you are in a relationship with someone who does not honor and respect you, I want you to know that you are worthy of love.”
Photo by Kevin Winter/WireImage.
Rihanna
Ditching the love-it-or-hate-it pink Quinceanera dress she wore on the red carpet, RiRi arrived on stage in a black oversized, but still flattering, suit — and sang her heart out on our new favourite song, “FourFive Seconds.” ICYMI, Paul McCartney and Kanye West were there too.
Photo, Lester Cohen/WireImage.
Kristen Wiig
It seemed to start as a joke: a woman named Wiig is wearing a wig! But the comedian proceeded to dance like no one was watching in a nude one-piece bodysuit — exposing (gasp!) a real woman’s body. Joining Sia (the one with her back to the audience) and Sia’s video alter ego, 12-year-old Maddie Ziegler, Kristin Wiig gave the most physical performance of her career. If it's possible, we now heart her even more.
Photo, Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images.
Brandy Clark
Two of the most understated artists of the night, Brandy Clark and Dwight Yoakam, offered up one of the more memorable performances. Clark, who was nominated for best new artist — and is country music's most visible out lesbian — has broken quite a few boundaries this year, with no signs of stopping. Next up: she’s penned a Hee Haw musical for Broadway. Definitely our new girl crush.
Photo, Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Mary J. Blige
Grammy’s man of the hour, Sam Smith, had the perfect duet date of the night in Mary J. Blige. Singing “Stay with Me,” they out-souled all others. The only thing that would have been better is if she’d dueted with Annie Lennox too.
Photo by Kevin Winter/WireImage.
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