At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, numerous Hollywood celebrities took a clear stand against recent immigration enforcement actions by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis by wearing ‘ICE Out’ pins. Stars such as Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, and Bad Bunny used the high-profile event to spotlight their opposition and draw attention to the issue.
Artists Unite on the Red Carpet to Protest ICE Actions
The Grammy Awards ceremony transformed into a platform for political protest as musicians from various genres displayed small white and black ‘ICE Out’ pins on the red carpet. These pins quickly became one of the most photographed accessories of the night, worn by influential figures aiming to challenge ICE’s immigration tactics. The visible display of solidarity reflected the growing unrest among artists about immigration policies.
R&B singer Kehlani was among the outspoken supporters, using the spotlight to condemn ICE and emphasize the power of collective voices within the music community. Regarding her choice to wear the pin, she stated,
I really wanted to say f*** ICE. We’re too powerful of a group to all be in the room at the same time and not make some kind of statement in OUR country.
Kehlani, R&B Star
Speeches and Statements Reinforce Solidarity on Stage
During the ceremony, Billie Eilish, who earned the Song of the Year award, underscored the necessity of ongoing activism and protest when confronting injustice. Her remarks urged people to remain vocal and engaged in societal issues.
Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, upon receiving the Best Musica Urbana Album award, also addressed ICE and broader societal hate, advocating for compassion and unity rather than division. He remarked,
We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans….The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing more powerful than hate is love. So, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love,
Bad Bunny, Musician
Additional Celebrities Show Visible Support for Immigrants
Justin Vernon, lead singer of Bon Iver and nominee for Best Alternative Music Album, incorporated a whistle into his Grammy attire, symbolizing solidarity with those affected. He acknowledged the critical work being done by activists in Minneapolis, stating,
the real work are those observers on the ground in Minneapolis. We just want to shout them out.
Justin Vernon, Musician
Legendary musician Joni Mitchell wore an ‘ICE Out’ pin while accepting her award for Best Historical Album, quietly reinforcing her stance against immigration enforcement policies.
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber attracted attention by coordinating in all-black outfits and prominently displaying the ‘ICE Out’ pins to express their opposition to ICE actions and their support for immigrant rights. Other artists also participating in this statement included Brandi Carlile, Mikey Freedom Hart, Kamal Wilson, DIXSON, Samara Joy, Jason Isbell, and Margo Price, all of whom wore the pins on the red carpet to demonstrate their collective message.
Significance and Cultural Impact of the Protest at the Grammys
By wearing ‘ICE Out’ pins, these Hollywood stars utilized one of the most-watched music award ceremonies of the year to spotlight immigration enforcement tactics that many criticize as harsh or unjust. Their actions suggest an increasing willingness among artists to engage politically on issues affecting communities across the United States.
The public and media attention garnered by these protests could influence broader conversations about immigration policy and compel further activism from entertainers and their audiences. This moment signifies how cultural events are increasingly becoming forums for advocacy and expression of civic concerns, potentially pushing ICE-related policies into mainstream discourse for reevaluation.
