South African comedian Trevor Noah’s Shakira “joke” was a resounding miss at the 67th Grammy Awards ceremony which took place at the at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Noah, who hosted the Grammy Awards for the fifth consecutive time on Sunday, quipped that the sultry superstar was “the greatest thing out of Colombia that isn’t a Class-A felony”.
The former Daily Show host made the controversial joke amid US President Donald Trump‘s massive crackdown on illegal immigrants and Colombia’s challenges with violent crime.
Furthermore, Noah weighed in on the Grammy voting process, joking that the 13 000 members of the Recording Academy included “20 million illegal immigrants”.
This while protests against Trump’s immigration policies were taking place merely a stone’s throw away from the ceremony in downtown Los Angeles.
Noah came under fire on social media for his tone-deaf joke as millions of immigrants in the United States face the threat of deportation.
Here’s some more reactions:
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Meanwhile, Shakira dedicated her Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album to “all my immigrant brothers and sisters”.
“In this country, you’re loved, you’re worth it, and I will always fight with you,” the Colombian singer said in her powerful acceptance speech.
Shakira’s 2024 LP, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, was up against Luis Fonsi’s El Viaje, Orquídeas by Kali Uchis, Anitta’s Funk Generation and Kany García’s García.
The set, Shakira’s first album in seven years, is home to hits such as (Entre Paréntesis), Te Felicito and Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53.
The LP – which is also her first Spanish-only album in 19 years – peaked at No 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums and at No 13 on the Billboard 200.
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