“It’s my bestie,” said Laufey as Alex Warren walked over to join her and sombr, with the three embracing in a group hug. The trio of Grammy nominees was gathered in a private room behind the red carpet at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala on Saturday night (Jan. 31) at Los Angeles’ Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Fellow attendees included Jelly Roll, John Legend, Olivia Dean and Art Garfunkel, the guest list entirely hand-picked by Davis. Throughout the evening, those same stars (along with MGK, Clipse, Darren Criss, the singing voices of HUNTR/X, Jennifer Hudson and Dan + Shay) delivered the night’s 10 performances.
Jelly and MGK opened the night with a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, Criss and Laufey celebrated Bernie Taupin’s songwriting with a medley of Elton John hits, and Hudson honored the late Roberta Flack. Plus, best new artist nominees sombr, Alex Warren and Olivia Dean each performed their breakout hits: “12 to 12,” “Ordinary” and “Man I Need,” respectively.
“This night is so special,” Davis said to the room of industry heavyweights and iconic talent, such as Joni Mitchell, Max Martin, Taupin, Dave Grohl, Sharon and Jack Osbourne, Lana Del Rey and Karol G. “It’s special that we celebrate music [and] artistry.”
This year’s Pre-Grammy Gala celebrated Republic co-founders Monte and Avery Lipman, who received the 2026 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons honor. Their introduction included remarks from Universal Music Group CEO, Lucian Grainge, who said of the Lipman brothers: “Some people only see the outcome, not the journey. But take it from me, success on their level is not inevitable.”
Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Sombr
Sombr photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Alex Warren
Alex Warren photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Laufey
Laufey photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
John Legend
John Legend photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Gayle King
Gayle King photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Machine Gun Kelly
Machine Gun Kelly photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Dan + Shay
Dan + Shay photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Darren Criss
Darren Criss photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Art Garfunkel
Art Garfunkel photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Clive Davis
Clive Davis photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Avery & Monte Lipman
Avery and Monte Lipman photographed on Jan. 31, 2025 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
