Justin Bieber shocked Grammy organizers by performing in satin boxer shorts without prior notice. Executive producer Ben Winston revealed the outfit choice was last-minute, calling the performance career-defining, while also addressing Cher’s on-stage Record of the Year mix-up.
Justin Bieber once again proved his ability to surprise the global music industry—this time not with a chart-topping single, but with an unexpected fashion statement that left Grammy Awards organizers genuinely stunned. The 31-year-old singer-songwriter delivered one of the most talked-about moments of this year’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles by performing on stage wearing nothing but satin boxer shorts and socks.
According to reports from Female First UK, Bieber did not inform Grammy executives about his unconventional wardrobe choice ahead of the performance, leaving producers unaware until the moment he stepped onto the stage. The satin boxers, notably designed under Bieber’s own fashion brand, instantly became a viral talking point and ignited widespread discussion across social media platforms.
Grammy Awards executive producer Ben Winston addressed the moment during his appearance on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, revealing that Bieber’s outfit decision was likely made at the very last minute. Winston admitted that even during creative discussions prior to the event, Bieber had offered little detail about his plans.
“I don’t think he decided what the outfit would be until he walked on stage,” Winston said. “He’s not even really going, ‘This is what I’m going to do.’ When we reached out to him about his creative, he was just like, ‘I’m just going to get on stage and sing.’”
The minimalist approach extended beyond Bieber’s attire. Winston revealed that the pop star required remarkably little rehearsal time. Out of a scheduled 90-minute rehearsal window, Bieber reportedly used just 15 minutes before declaring himself satisfied with the performance.
“It was brilliant,” Winston shared. “Seven minutes into his rehearsal, he asked if it looked good and whether we were happy. I told him it looked beautiful. He said, ‘Okay, fantastic. See you Sunday.’”
Despite the efficiency, Winston requested one additional run-through of the song to allow camera operators to properly set their shots—an understandable technical necessity for a globally televised event. Even so, the performance remained largely unaltered and entirely driven by Bieber’s instincts.
Winston described the moment as a “career-defining” performance, emphasizing how different it felt from Bieber’s previous Grammy appearances. “It was what he wanted to do. It was all him. It was so different from what we’ve seen over the years,” he said.
While Bieber’s bold appearance dominated headlines, the awards ceremony was not without its share of live television mishaps. Legendary singer Cher made an on-stage error when announcing the winner of Record of the Year, mistakenly naming Luther Vandross—who passed away in 2005—as the recipient.
Cher quickly corrected herself, awarding the honor to the rightful winner, Kendrick Lamar, for his collaboration with SZA titled Luther. The moment, though awkward, was met with applause and quickly became another unforgettable chapter in Grammy history.
Winston confirmed that Cher had been fully briefed prior to going on stage and had the correct information displayed on the teleprompter. However, he expressed no desire to erase the mistake from the show’s legacy.
“If I could go back in time, I’d want that to happen again,” he said. “You want a bit of anarchy.”
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He also clarified that Cher was entirely comfortable with her performance and enjoyed the experience despite the slip-up. “She’s happy with it. She had a great time,” Winston added.
Between Bieber’s spontaneous fashion gamble and Cher’s unscripted moment, this year’s Grammy Awards delivered a blend of unpredictability, authenticity, and raw entertainment—elements that continue to define the enduring appeal of live award shows.
