Lizzo Opens Grammys With Dedication to Kobe

'Tonight is for Kobe,' she says as she starts her performance
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 26, 2020 7:07 PM CST
Updated Jan 26, 2020 7:10 PM CST
Lizzo Opens Grammys With Dedication to Kobe
Los Angeles Lakers jersey numbers belonging to retired NBA player Kobe Bryant hang inside Staples Center prior to the start of the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles.   (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

The Grammy Awards opened with a performance by Lizzo—and Lizzo opened her performance with a fitting dedication. "Tonight is for Kobe," she said before launching into the music. Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter were killed in a helicopter crash hours before the ceremony began at the Staples Center, where Bryant played with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2016. "We're literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built," host Alicia Keys said as she took the stage following the performance. She then launched into "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" as Boyz II Men came onstage to join her in the a cappella performance.

Dozens of Grammys were actually handed out before the televised ceremony began, in the pre-telecast ceremony, the New York Times reports. That ceremony began with a moment of silence for Bryant. Vulture has a list of the awards handed out there. (Keep checking our story here to see the awards and performances of the telecast.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X