In a bold and minimalist display, Justin Bieber took to the Grammy stage on Sunday night, performing his song “Yukon” while wearing only gym shorts and socks. The 31-year-old artist accompanied himself on a looped guitar, adopting a performance style reminiscent of fellow musician Ed Sheeran.
The camera briefly captured his wife, Hailey Bieber, cheering from the audience during the set. The performance has sparked a wave of reactions across social media and among viewers.
Many fans celebrated the singer’s return to a major awards show stage, praising his vocal delivery and the raw emotion of the performance. One viewer described it as giving “full body chills,” while another asserted that Bieber stands as “one of the best male vocalists of our time” in a live setting.
However, the unconventional act also drew criticism from some quarters, with comments ranging from calling it a “waste” of airtime to expressing confusion over its artistic intent.
The performance comes during a prolific period for the pop star, who released two albums last year. Those projects earned him a total of four Grammy nominations for the evening, including nods in the Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album categories.
Earlier in the broadcast, host Trevor Noah highlighted Bieber’s nominations and his recent journey into fatherhood, though the singer appeared visibly uncomfortable with the spotlight during the segment. This interaction fueled online commentary, with some observers noting the artist’s apparent unease with fame.
The stripped-back Grammy moment marks a significant, if polarizing, return for Bieber to music’s biggest night.