The 66e The Grammy Gala will at least have had the merit of showing us the true face of the singer Taylor Swift.
• Also read: Céline snubbed by Taylor Swift: “A misstep”
• Also read: Grammy Awards: Celine Dion's surprise return to the spotlight
This gala, energetically directed by Trevor Noah (whose lightning flow and good-natured humor are reminiscent of Louis-José Houde at ADISQ), is the most successful I have seen in several years, but it will remain the most embarrassing gesture since Will Smith's slap in the face Chris Rock at the Oscars 2022. At least this time it's not a literal slap in the face.
In an unusual gesture of rare condescension, Taylor Swift first dragged singer Lana Del Rey, who was also in the running for the Album of the Year trophy, onto the stage. Then she literally took her trophy from Céline Dion's hands without saying a word and without even giving her the slightest glance. After a heartfelt and more than brief thank you to her “fans,” the most sought-after singer of the hour thanked everyone. Then she left the stage.
Outraged admirers
It's not just Céline's admirers in Quebec who jumped up after these more than unpleasant moments. On social networks, as in the comments I read in the New York Times and the Washington Post, thousands of viewers expressed their outrage and blamed Taylor Swift for this inexcusable lack of consideration for Céline. Not to mention those who felt that the moment was more appropriate for a thank you than for the announcement of a new album.
Quebecers are known to have little skin when it comes to Céline Dion. Remember the “national” outcry when Rolling Stone magazine did not include Céline in its list of the 200 greatest pop singers of all time. As Taylor Swift exited the stage with her trophy, some footage of the winner was shown backstage cuddling with Céline. But these images will not make us forget the annoying attitude that Céline fell victim to in front of millions of viewers.
A WASTED APPEARANCE
Quebecers won't forgive Taylor Swift for ruining their idol's first real public appearance since announcing her illness. Apparently it was a gesture of recognition and compassion that the Grammys' officials showed to Céline when they invited her to present the most coveted trophy, that of Album of the Year. It is a trophy that Céline won in 1997 for her album Falling Into You.
This strange event at the very end of the gala is all the more unfortunate because it pushes three of us into second place at the 66th Grammy Awards. We didn't see him at Sunday night's gala, but for once Yannick Nézet-Séguin won his fourth Grammy at this 66th competition. After four nominations, Montrealer and folklorist Allison Russell won a Grammy for her song Eve Was Black and Joni Mitchell, originally from Fort McLeod, Alberta, won the Grammy for best folk album.