Rest In Power: Celebrities Remember Kobe Bryant At The Grammys

The show went on but Kobe Bryant wasn’t forgotten. The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards was considered to be one of the biggest nights in music. Yet, Sunday night’s celebratory event was also mixed with a somber mood due to the tragic news that Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others died in a helicopter crash hours earlier. Coincidently, the Grammys was hosted at the Staples Center — home of the Los Angeles Lakers, where Bryant played for 20 years. Red carpet moments were filled with mixed emotions, and the venue was flooded with a sea of Lakers-clad fans paying their respect to Bryant.

“Tonight is for Kobe!”

Lizzo set the tone for the evening by paying homage to Bryant. “Tonight is for Kobe!” this year’s most-nominated artist exclaimed as she opened the Grammys with her “Cuz I Love You” performance. Grammys host, Alicia Keys, was tasked with uplifting the crowd while also paying respect to Bryant.

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“Here we are, together, on music’s biggest night, celebrating the artists that do it best. But to be honest with you, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now,” Keys said. “Because earlier today, Los Angeles, America, and the whole wide world lost a hero. And we’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built. Right now, Kobe and his daughter Gianna, and all of those that have been tragically lost today, are in our spirit. They’re in our hearts. They’re in our prayers. They’re in this building.” The singer asked the audience to have a moment of silence for the victims and their families. Afterward, she continued, “We never imagined in a million years we would have to start the show like this. Never, never, never, never. But we wanted to do something that could describe a teeny bit how we all felt right now.” Keys proceeded to sing “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye,” and was then joined on stage by Boyz II Men, who, in the early 90s, remade the 1975 Motown song.

Other celebs paid their respect to Kobe Bryant:

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8. John Legend, Kirk Franklin, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, and Roddy Ricch

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Images for the late Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant are projected onto a screen while (L-R) YG, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, and Roddy Ricch perform onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

9. YG

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: YG attends the Universal Music Group’s 2020 Grammy after party presented by Lenovo at Rolling Greens Nursery on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

10. DaniLeigh

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: DaniLeigh attends the Universal Music Group Hosts 2020 Grammy After Party on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

11. DaniLeigh

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: DaniLeigh attends the Universal Music Group Hosts 2020 Grammy After Party on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

12. Jac Ross

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Jac Ross attends the Universal Music Group’s 2020 Grammy after party presented by Lenovo at Rolling Greens Nursery on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

13. Steven Tyler's Third Annual GRAMMY Awards Viewing Party

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: A general view of atmosphere during Steven Tyler’s Third Annual GRAMMY Awards Viewing Party to benefit Janie’s Fund presented by Live Nation at Raleigh Studios on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.