Beyoncè tied a Grammys record with her first win of the night at the Sunday evening awards show — and she wasn’t even there to see it happen.
According to Grammys host — and former host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” — Trevor Noah, the “Break My Soul” hitmaker was on her way to the venue still stuck in a Los Angeles traffic jam when she officially won the Grammy for Best R&B Song.
While celebrities and fans alike scanned the crowd for Beyoncè once her name had been announced, Terius Nash — a.k.a. The Dream — and Nile Rodgers came to the stage to accept the award on her behalf. After that, Noah stepped in with an explanation.
WATCH:
Host Trevor Noah just announced that Beyoncé has tied the record for the most Grammys of any artist in history with her win in the category Best R&B Song, for 'Cuff It' #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/oRwHoZ0hug
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) February 6, 2023
“So for real, Beyoncè is on her way. The upside of hosting the Grammys in LA is that everyone can be here, the downside of hosting the Grammys in LA is the traffic,” Noah explained. “Beyoncè is on her way, and just for reference … Just for reference, Beyoncè has now equalled the record for most Grammys of any individual of all time. This is it, this is it.”
Noah later interrupted the show once Beyoncè arrived, announcing to everyone else that “the queen is officially in the building” and delivering her award to her table. “I was shocked to find out that traffic could stop you,” Noah quipped, adding, “I thought you traveled through space and time, but I’m glad you could be with us.”
WATCH:
.@Beyonce is officially in the building – @TrevorNoah presents her with her #Grammys award pic.twitter.com/o2lKws9p0D
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 6, 2023
In addition to nabbing two awards in the pre-show ceremony — Best Dance/Electronic recording for “Break My Soul” and Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Plastic Off the Sofa” — Beyoncè took home her first award of the night for the song “Cuff It.” Her second, a win in the Best Dance Album category for “Renaissance,” made history in two ways: it marked her 32nd Grammy, breaking the tie and making her the most decorated artist in history; and she became the first black woman to win in the Best Dance Album category.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Beyoncè offered her thanks “to the queer community,” for their support of her music and for “inventing this genre.”
WATCH:
.@Beyonce gets emotional and thanks the queer community as she becomes the most #Grammys-winning artist in history tonight pic.twitter.com/XcLBeVXGby
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 6, 2023
“I would like to thank the queer community for your love, for inventing this genre,” she told the crowd. “God bless you. Thank you so much to the Grammys,” she said.
The previous record for most total Grammy wins was held by the late Hungarian conductor Georg Solti.