Justin Bieber returned to the Grammy Awards stage on Sunday night in a way few expected. The 31 year old pop star performed shirtless in boxers and gym shorts, leaving many viewers confused as cameras rolled inside Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
The appearance marked Bieber’s first Grammys performance in four years. He delivered a stripped down version of his song Yukon while looping guitar and drum samples, creating an intimate and raw moment that stood out from the night’s polished productions.
A Performance That Divided Viewers
As Bieber sang, cameras repeatedly cut to his wife, Hailey Bieber, smiling and cheering from the audience. Just hours earlier, the couple had walked the red carpet together wearing matching ICE OUT pins.
Online reaction was immediate and intense. Some viewers mocked the outfit choice, posting comments like “Why is he naked?” and “Where is his shirt?” Others expressed concern, with one fan writing that the performance felt like a cry for help.
Supporters pushed back against the criticism. Fans praised Bieber’s vocals and stage control, calling the performance honest and emotionally powerful.
First Grammys Appearance Since 2022
Bieber last performed at the Grammys in 2022, when he sang Peaches alongside Giveon and Daniel Caesar. Since then, his live appearances have been rare following the cancellation of his world tour due to health issues.
His Grammys return signaled a renewed presence. The performance also served as a preview of what fans can expect later this year when he headlines both weekends of Coachella.
Album Success and Major Nominations
The appearance comes after the release of Bieber’s surprise 2025 album Swag. The project debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with more than 163,000 units in its first week and delivered the biggest streaming debut of his career.
Bieber earned four Grammy nominations this year, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Swag, Best Pop Solo Performance for Daisies, and Best R and B Performance for Yukon. Billboard reported that 16 of the album’s 21 tracks charted on the Hot 100.
A New Era and a Historic Coachella Deal
Bieber is set to headline Coachella later this spring in a deal reportedly worth more than 10 million dollars, making him one of the highest paid performers in the festival’s history. Industry experts say the agreement reflects Bieber’s growing control over his career.
According to Rolling Stone, insiders describe the deal as self negotiated and a sign that Bieber has entered a new phase as an artist and businessman. His return to the Grammys, unusual wardrobe and all, suggests he is embracing risk rather than playing it safe.
Whether viewers loved it or hated it, Bieber’s performance dominated conversation by the end of the night. For an awards show built on spectacle, his bare bones appearance proved impossible to ignore.
More details on the ceremony and nominations are available via the Recording Academy and industry analysis from Rolling Stone.