• Bianca Censori, Kanye West's partner, went almost fully nude while walking the 2025 Grammys red carpet.
• Censori, 30, has been romantically linked to the controversial rapper, 47, since January 2023.
• She is an architectural designer at Yeezy, per a LinkedIn profile matching her description.

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is no stranger to making headlines, but his partner Bianca Censori may have outshone him this time.

On Sunday, the rapper, 47, hit the 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet clad in a black shirt and pants, while Censori, 30, wore a black fur coat that she removed to reveal a virtually transparent mini dress underneath.

Censori has been spotted wearing sheer outfits in public multiple times before.

In March, she pulled up to a drive-thru with Ye in a super sheer black bodysuit. A month later, in April, she went to dinner with him in Los Angeles in a completely see-through tube dress and hot pink stockings. In December, she was also seen strolling around Art Basel Miami in a similarly racy nude bodysuit that left little to the imagination.

In January 2023, TMZ reported that the pair had symbolically wed without a marriage certificate in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills. Earlier in the month, they were spotted sharing a meal at the Waldorf Astoria, and Ye was wearing a new ring on his left-hand ring finger in photos taken by TMZ that day.

This came just two months after West finalized his divorce from Kardashian.

Censori and Ye have yet to publicly confirm their marriage, but the rapper did refer to her as a "stepmom" to his children in a since-deleted birthday tribute post on Instagram in January 2024, per People.

Before news of their relationship broke, Censori hadn't been in the spotlight in the same way as Ye's more high-profile exes, like Kardashian and Julia Fox.

Here's everything you need to know about Censori and her connection to Ye. 

Censori is an architectural designer at Yeezy

According to Censori's LinkedIn account, she began working as an architectural designer at Yeezy in November 2020 and has been working full-time at the company.

Before that, she worked as a student architect and design consultant at DP Toscano Architects, an architectural firm in Collingwood, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. 

Censori was also part of the architectural team involved in renovating Ye's Tadao Ando-designed beachfront property in Malibu, per The New Yorker. The rapper paid $57 million for the concrete home in 2011, gutted it, and sold it at a loss for $21 million in 2024.

She previously ran a jewelry brand called Nylons

Censori started Nylons, a jewelry company, just after she finished high school, she told i-D in 2016. "I started playing around with mesh, then putting crystals inside the meshing, just making really simple thin chokers," she said.

She began the company while studying at the University of Melbourne, where she pursued both undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture. The business served as a "creative outlet" while Censori was in architecture school.

She's also a visual artist. 

In 2022, Censori appeared in a group show called "Vital Pleasures" at the Australian gallery It's Nice Inside. She and fellow artist Tanil Raif produced a sculpture of a woman bent over, seemingly covered in vines.

Censori's social media appears to have vanished

Page Six reported that Censori's Instagram account was deactivated around the same time that reports about a marriage to Ye emerged. Prior to that point, however, the outlet reported that she had about 16,500 followers. 

Ye released a song that appears to reference Censori in December 2022

NME reported in December 2022 that Ye dropped an original song that sampled the Alex Jones interview in which he praised Hitler, and also referenced some of his recent controversies and antisemitic remarks. Ye shared the song on Instagram on December 7, 2022, per NME, but the post has since been deleted. 

The caption of the song, which sampled the 1973 Donny Hathaway track "Someday We'll All Be Free," appeared to reference Censori. 

"Censori overload. The variable epitope library from the antigen promotes an immune response in the body," the caption read, a play on the term "sensory overload."

According to Page Six, one of the lyrics of the song reads, "And the Bible said, 'I can't have any more sex 'til marriage."

This story was originally published in 2023 and was updated after Bianca Censori's Grammys appearance.

• The Grammy Awards, billed as "music's biggest night," were launched in 1959.
• Top winners include big-name artists like Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, and Stevie Wonder.
• In 2023, Beyoncé became the most-awarded person in Grammy history.

Since 1959, the Recording Academy has been heaping Grammys upon influential musicians.

The most-awarded artists in history stretch across the musical spectrum, from classical composers and producers to rock stars, rappers, pop hitmakers, and more. The 22 top winners of all time are listed below.

Jimmy Sturr — 18 wins

Jimmy Sturr won his first Grammy Award in 1987 for best polka recording for "I Remember Warsaw." He has received 24 nominations. 

Aretha Franklin — 18 wins

Aretha Franklin, known as the "Queen of Soul," won her first two Grammys in 1968 for her hit single "Respect." She received 44 nominations before she died at age 76.

Paul McCartney — 19 wins

Paul McCartney won his first Grammy in 1965 for best new artist with The Beatles.

After the band split, he continued to rack up nominations and awards for his work as a solo artist, including best rock song for "Cut Me Some Slack."

McCartney's latest award, however, was also bestowed for his work with his former band: best rock performance for "Now and Then," billed as "the final Beatles song." He has received 83 nominations. 

Tony Bennett — 19 wins

The famous crooner Tony Bennett won his first two Grammys in 1963 for the song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." He received 41 nominations before he died at age 96.

Yo-Yo Ma — 19 wins

The renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma won his first Grammy in 1985 for a Bach recording. He has received 31 nominations.  

Bruce Springsteen — 20 wins

Bruce Springsteen, known as "The Boss," won his first Grammy in 1985 for best rock vocal performance for "Dancing in the Dark." He has received 51 nominations.

Al Schmitt — 20 wins

The recording engineer Al Schmitt won his first Grammy in 1963 for his work with composer Henry Mancini on the film "Hatari!" He has received 36 nominations.

Pat Metheny — 20 wins

The guitarist Pat Metheny won his first Grammy in 1983 for best jazz fusion performance for the album "Offramp." He has received 39 nominations.

Henry Mancini — 20 wins

The film and TV composer Henry Mancini won his first two Grammys at the first-ever ceremony in 1959 for his score to the show "Peter Gunn." He received 72 nominations before he died at age 70.

Vince Gill — 22 wins

The country singer-songwriter Vince Gill won his first Grammy in 1991 for best country vocal performance for "When I Call Your Name." He has received 48 nominations.

U2 — 22 wins

U2 won their first two Grammys in 1988 for the album "The Joshua Tree." The Irish band has received 46 nominations.

Kanye West — 24 wins

Ye, who still releases music under the name Kanye West, won his first three Grammys in 2005 for best rap album ("The College Dropout"), best rap song ("Jesus Walks"), and best R&B song (Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name"). He has received 76 nominations. 

Jay Z — 24 wins

Jay-Z won his first Grammy in 1999 for best rap album for "Vol. 2 … Hard Knock Life." In 2024, he was presented with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award (which does not count toward his official total). The rapper-slash-mogul has received 89 nominations.

Stevie Wonder — 25 wins

Stevie Wonder won his first four Grammys in 1974 for his album "Innervisions." He is also the only Black artist in Grammy history to win album of the year three times.

The R&B legend has received 74 nominations throughout his career.

Vladimir Horowitz — 25 wins

Vladimir Horowitz won his first two Grammys in 1963. The pianist received 45 nominations before he died at age 86.

John Williams — 26 wins

John Williams won his first Grammy in 1976 for composing the original score for Steven Spielberg's "Jaws."

Most recently, he won best instrumental composition in 2024 for "Helena's Theme" in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny." He has received 76 nominations.

Pierre Boulez — 26 wins

Pierre Boulez won his first two Grammys in 1968 for his classical album "Berg: Wozzeck." The French composer received 67 nominations before he died at age 90.

Alison Krauss — 27 wins

Alison Krauss won her first Grammy in 1991 for best bluegrass recording for the song "I've Got That Old Feeling." The singer-songwriter has received 44 nominations.

Chick Corea — 28 wins

The pianist Chick Corea won his first Grammy in 1976 for best instrumental jazz performance for the song "No Mystery."

Most recently, he won best jazz instrumental album for "Remembrance" at the 67th annual Grammys. He has received 75 nominations to date.

Quincy Jones — 28 wins

Quincy Jones, the illustrious producer best known for his work with Michael Jackson in the 1980s, won his first Grammy in 1964 for best instrumental arrangement for his production of Count Basie's "I Can't Stop Loving You."

Most recently, Jones won best music film for "Quincy" at the 61st annual ceremony. He received 80 nominations before his death at age 91.

Georg Solti — 31 wins

The Hungarian-British composer Georg Solti won his first Grammy in 1963 for best opera recording for "Verdi: Aida." He received 74 nominations before he died at age 84.

Beyoncé — 35 wins

Beyoncé won her first two Grammys in 2001 with Destiny's Child for their hit single "Say My Name."

In 2023, she received her record-breaking 32nd award for her eighth solo album "Renaissance." Most recently, she won three awards at the 67th annual ceremony for "Cowboy Carter," including best country album and album of the year.

The legendary singer has received 99 nominations throughout her career, the most of any artist in history.

• Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" won album of the year at the 2025 Grammys on Sunday.
• It marks the first time Beyoncé has won the top award after racking up five nominations.
• She was previously nominated for "Renaissance," "Lemonade," "Beyoncé," and "I Am... Sasha Fierce."

Beyoncé won album of the year at the 2025 Grammy Awards, a milestone win for the legendary singer and performer.

Beyoncé received the top prize on Sunday for "Cowboy Carter," her critically acclaimed eighth studio album. Earlier in the evening, Beyoncé also won best country duo/group performance for "II Most Wanted" featuring Miley Cyrus and best country album.

"I'd like to thank all the incredible country artists that accepted this album. We worked so hard on it," Beyoncé said during her acceptance speech for the latter award, which was presented by Taylor Swift.

"I think sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists, and I just want to encourage people to do what they're passionate about and to stay persistent," Beyoncé continued. "Wow. I'd like to thank my beautiful family, all of the artists that were collaborators, thank you. This album wouldn't have been without you."

Despite becoming the most-awarded artist in Grammy history in 2023, Beyoncé had never won album of the year. She was previously nominated for "Renaissance" in 2023, "Lemonade" in 2017, "Beyoncé" in 2015, and "I Am... Sasha Fierce" in 2010.

In fact, she had only won a general-field award (sometimes called a "Big Four" award) once in her career, taking home song of the year for "Single Ladies" in 2010.

• Russian soldiers are showing up on the front lines in crutches, the UK Defense Ministry said.
• It's likely a sign that Russia's military medical system is "overburdened," the ministry said.
• Several videos of Russian soldiers in crutches and casts have gone viral in Ukraine.

Repeated frontline sightings of Russian soldiers on crutches suggest Moscow's injured troops are returning to combat from a medical system struggling to keep up, the UK's Defense Ministry said.

Citing open-source reports, the ministry wrote in an intelligence update on Sunday that it's "highly likely injured Russian personnel are being returned to combat duties in Ukraine with unhealed wounds, often on crutches."

It specifically named the 20th Combined Arms Army, which the intelligence update said had likely formed "assault groups" of wounded soldiers.

"There is a realistic possibility Russian commanders are directing this activity to retain personnel who would otherwise become lost in the overburdened medical system," the ministry wrote.

The update pointed to Ukraine's estimate that 830,000 Russian soldiers have been wounded or killed in the war so far, with about 400,000 requiring treatment at medical facilities outside the war zone.

"The injured soldiers have likely been returned to their units after being discharged from forward medical facilities, prematurely, at the behest of their commanders," the British ministry wrote. "This reduces the pressure on the overburdened military medical system and increases unit's ability to track and use wounded servicemen for operational tasks."

"The lack of proper medical attention in facilities away from the front line necessitates the transfer of the administrative and medical burden back to troops' units," it added.

The UK's assessment comes as pro-Ukraine Telegram channels posted clips last month of Russian men in military uniforms moving on crutches through a forested area near Pokrovsk. Several others were filmed complaining about the deployment.

In mid-January, Ukrainian sources posted drone footage of two men walking on crutches in an open field that was also said to be near Pokrovsk. The drone dropped several munitions on both men, appearing to incapacitate them.

However, it's visually unclear what initial injury either man sustained before the drone attack. Neither is it clear whether they were assaulting Ukrainian forces or moving between Russian positions.

The footage has gained traction in Russia, too. Military blogger Svyatoslav Golikov, for example, criticized the reported practice of sending wounded troops to fight, calling it an "entire wild disgrace" in a post in late January.

"In particularly egregious cases, obvious cripples can even be sent to assault, but more often they are sent to fortify newly recaptured positions," he wrote.

Golikov wrote that it's possible the two men in the drone video were seen without weapons or equipment because Russian soldiers are often told to find their own supplies on the front line.

The criticism also follows recent backlash on Russian social media toward the treatment of the war's wounded, after a video that went viral in mid-January showed a man in military fatigues assaulting two injured Russians with a baton and a stun gun.

Local authorities in Kyzyl, a city in the Russian region of Tuva, told Moscow-based news agency Interfax that they were investigating the incident.

The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to a comment request sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Signs of strain in Russia's troop supply are significant, because the war now increasingly hinges on whether Moscow or Kyiv can outlast each other in terms of gear and soldiers.

To enlist recruits, the Kremlin has been raising sign-up bonuses and benefits for newcomers, with some Russian regions seeing cash incentives almost on par with the US military's.

Russia is already set to spend almost a third of its federal budget on defense in 2025, or 13.5 trillion rubles (worth $135 billion, at press time), as its economy grows isolated by Western-led sanctions.

• Chappell Roan won best new artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards on Sunday.
• She used her speech to call for record labels to "treat their artists as valuable employees."
• Here's why even Grammy-nominated musicians have trouble turning a profit in the music industry.

Chappell Roan never shies away from making a statement.

While accepting the award for best new artist at the 67th annual Grammy Awards, the "Good Luck, Babe!" singer highlighted the difficulties of building a stable — let alone profitable — career in the music industry.

"I told myself if I ever won a Grammy and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists," Roan said.

Roan alluded to her first record contract with Atlantic, which signed her as a teenager, and the shock of getting dropped by the label — a setback that forced her to leave Los Angeles and move back to her home state of Missouri, where she worked at a drive-thru to support herself.

"When I got dropped, I had zero job experience under my belt, and like most people, I had… quite a difficult time finding a job in the pandemic," Roan said.

"Record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees with a livable wage and health insurance and protection," Roan continued. "Labels, we got you, but do you got us?"

The problems that preoccupied Roan's speech are more widespread in the industry than many fans may realize.

As Business Insider previously reported, modern artists face a seemingly endless array of bureaucratic, strategic, and financial obstacles to making a living — from the eye-popping upfront costs of touring or recording an album to the countless unpaid hours of social media self-promo and meager payouts from streaming giants like Spotify.

Indeed, Roan's fellow best new artist nominee Raye told BI last June that she was still "breaking even."

The 27-year-old British vocalist, who recently worked with Beyoncé on "Cowboy Carter" and opened for Taylor Swift's multi-billion-dollar Eras Tour, explained that musicians are faced with unseen expenses at every turn. This is especially true for those who forgo the major-label system.

"You're getting paid X to do Coachella, and then you spend double the amount that you got paid to do the show on the show itself, because you want to do a great show," Raye offered as an example. "And you have to pay musicians, and the singers, and everyone what they deserve."

Like Roan, Raye has a troubled history with record labels. She butted heads with executives at Polydor, who signed her at a young age, and publicly asked the label to release her from her contract in 2021. The company obliged, and Raye released her first album as an independent artist, "My 21st Century Blues," in 2023.

Roan found a different way forward. After working to refine her craft and building an audience on TikTok during the pandemic, Roan signed a new contract with the label imprint founded by her producer, Daniel Nigro. Amusement Records distributed her debut album, 2023's "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess."

The album climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 last year, second only to Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department," and received a Grammy nomination for album of the year. Roan's "Good Luck, Babe!" was also nominated for song of the year and best pop solo performance.

• The 67th Grammy Awards were held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday.
• Celebrity couples like Mark Manio and Scott Hoying hit the red carpet in coordinating ensembles.
• Chrissy Teigen and John Legend wore coordinating dark looks.

The 67th Grammy Awards took place on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the venue formerly known as Staples Center and home to the Los Angeles Lakers.

In typical Grammys fashion, the biggest names in music and entertainment came out in full force to celebrate the biggest songs, albums, and artists of the year.

Some of the night's biggest nominees, from Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas, to Chappell Roan, walked the red carpet in eye-catching looks.

Celebrity couples like Chrissy Teigen and John Legend also made a splash, hitting the red carpet in coordinating looks that embodied the phrase "power couple."

Photos show the best-dressed celebrity couples at this year's Grammys.

Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley

Antonoff, a six-time nominee this year, wore a black suit with a white T-shirt underneath. His wife, Qualley, wore an ivory tulle skirt paired with white ballet flats.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

Teigen wore an eye-catching mermaid dress designed by Christian Siriano, while Legend wore a uniquely patterned brown suit designed by Louis Vuitton.

Louis Partridge and Olivia Rodrigo

Partridge didn't walk the red carpet with his girlfriend, but the two were spotted inside. He wore a black suit with a white T-shirt.

Rodrigo walked the red carpet in a vintage Versace dress with a plunging neckline and multiple cutouts.

Mark Manio and Scott Hoying

The Pentatonix singer opted for a monochromatic brown look with a jacket accented with a large rose brooch.

His husband, Manio, complemented him well with a brown shirt and blazer, and light-pink pants.

Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz

Klum and Kaulitz both chose light neutrals for the evening. Klum wore a strapless silver gown with detached puffy sleeves, while her husband, the Tokio Hotel guitarist Kaulitz, wore an all-white look with beige sneakers.

Rika Tischendorf and Babyface

Babyface wore a black suit with lapels encrusted in crystals. His girlfriend, Tischendorf, wore a skin-colored gown also covered in crystals.

Claudia Sulewski and Finneas

Sulewski wore a jade-green dress with a cowl neckline. She walked the red carpet with her boyfriend, Finneas, a four-time nominee this year. He wore a monochromatic brown suit designed by Zegna.

Paris Hilton and Carter Reum

Hilton wore a '70s-inspired shimmering golden gown with a matching cape and gloves. Reum wore a black checkered suit jacket with black pants.

• The 2025 Grammy Awards took place February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
• Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and Beyoncé took home multiple awards.
• Chappell Roan won the coveted award for best new artist.

Triumphant wins, heartfelt tributes, and bombastic performances filled the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Sunday night for the 67th annual Grammy Awards.

Kendrick Lamar was one of the night's biggest winners, netting five Grammys including record of the year, best rap performance, and best music video for the Drake diss-track-turned-smash-hit "Not Like Us," while Beyoncé surprised even herself by taking home the award for best country album for "Cowboy Carter" and ended the night with her first-ever win for album of the year.

Keep reading to see who won in the major categories — the winners are listed in bold.

Songwriter of the year, non-classical

Jessi Alexander

Amy Allen

Edgar Barrera

Jessie Jo Dillon

Raye

Producer of the year, non-classical

Alissia

Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II

Ian Fitchuk

Mustard

Daniel Nigro

Best pop solo performance

"Bodyguard" — Beyoncé 

"Espresso" — Sabrina Carpenter

"Apple" — Charli XCX

"Birds of a Feather" — Billie Eilish

"Good Luck, Babe!" — Chappell Roan

Best pop duo/group performance

"Us" — Gracie Abrams featuring Taylor Swift

"Levii's Jeans" — Beyoncé featuring Post Malone

"Guess" — Charli XCX featuring Billie Eilish

"The Boy Is Mine" — Ariana Grande, Brandy, and Monica

"Die With a Smile" — Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars

Best pop vocal album

"Short n' Sweet" — Sabrina Carpenter

"Hit Me Hard and Soft" — Billie Eilish

"Eternal Sunshine" — Ariana Grande

"The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" — Chappell Roan

"The Tortured Poets Department" — Taylor Swift

Best dance pop recording

"Make You Mine" — Madison Beer

"Von Dutch" — Charli XCX

"L'Amour de Ma Vie [Over Now Extended Edit]" — Billie Eilish

"Yes, And?" — Ariana Grande

"Got Me Started" — Troye Sivan

Best dance/electronic recording

"She's Gone, Dance On" — Disclosure

"Loved" — Four Tet

"Leavemealone" — Fred Again and Baby Keem

"Neverender" — Justice and Tame Impala

"Witchy" — Kaytranada featuring Childish Gambino

Best dance/electronic album

"Brat" — Charli XCX

"Three" — Four Tet

"Hyperdrama" — Justice

"Timeless" — Kaytranada

"Telos" — Zedd

Best rock performance

"Now and Then" — The Beatles

"Beautiful People (Stay High)" — The Black Keys

"The American Dream Is Killing Me" — Green Day

"Gift Horse" — Idles

"Dark Matter" — Pearl Jam

"Broken Man" — St. Vincent

Best rock song

"Beautiful People (Stay High)" — The Black Keys

"Broken Man" — St. Vincent

"Dark Matter" — Pearl Jam

"Dilemma" — Green Day

"Gift Horse" — Idles

Best rock album

"Happiness Bastards" — The Black Crowes

"Romance" — Fontaines D.C.

"Saviors" — Green Day

"TANGK" — Idles

"Dark Matter" — Pearl Jam

"Hackney Diamonds" — The Rolling Stones

"No Name" — Jack White

Best alternative music performance

"Neon Pill" — Cage the Elephant

"Song of the Lake" — Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

"Starburster" — Fontaines D.C.

"Bye Bye" — Kim Gordon

"Flea" — St. Vincent

Best alternative music album

"Wild God" — Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

"Charm" — Clairo

"The Collective" — Kim Gordon

"What Now" — Brittany Howard

"All Born Screaming" — St. Vincent

Best melodic rap performance

"Kehlani" — Jordan Adetunji Featuring Kehlani

"Spaghettii" — Beyoncé featuring Linda Martell and Shaboozey

"We Still Don't Trust You" — Future and Metro Boomin featuring The Weeknd

"Big Mama" — Latto

"3" — Rapsody featuring Erykah Badu

Best rap performance

"Enough (Miami)" — Cardi B

"When the Sun Shines Again" — Common and Pete Rock featuring Posdnuos

"Nissan Altima" — Doechii

"Houdini" — Eminem

"Like That" — Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar

"Yeah Glo!" — GloRilla

"Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar

Best rap song

"Asteroids" — Rapsody featuring Hit-Boy

"Carnival" — ¥$ (Kanye West and Ty Dolla $Ign) featuring Rich The Kid and Playboi Carti

"Like That" — Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar

"Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar

"Yeah Glo!" — GloRilla

Best rap album

"Might Delete Later" — J. Cole

"The Auditorium, Vol. 1" — Common and Pete Rock

"Alligator Bites Never Heal" — Doechii

"The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)" — Eminem

"We Don't Trust You" — Future and Metro Boomin

Best traditional R&B performance

"Wet" — Marsha Ambrosius

"Can I Have This Groove" — Kenyon Dixon

"No Lie" — Lalah Hathaway featuring Michael McDonald

"Make Me Forget" — Muni Long

"That's You" — Lucky Daye

Best R&B performance

"Guidance" — Jhené Aiko

"Residuals" — Chris Brown

"Here We Go (Uh Oh)" — Coco Jones

"Made For Me (Live on BET)" — Muni Long

"Saturn" — SZA

Best R&B song

"After Hours" — Kehlani

"Burning" — Tems

"Here We Go (Uh Oh)" — Coco Jones

"Ruined Me" — Muni Long

"Saturn" — SZA

Best R&B album

"11:11 (Deluxe)" — Chris Brown

"Vantablack" — Lalah Hathaway

"Revenge "— Muni Long

"Algorithm" — Lucky Daye

"Coming Home" — Usher

Best progressive R&B album

"So Glad to Know You "— Avery Sunshine (WINNER - tie)

"En Route" — Durand Bernarr

"Bando Stone & the New World" — Childish Gambino

"Crash" — Kehlani

"Why Lawd?" — NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) (WINNER - tie)

Best alternative jazz album

"Night Reign" — Arooj Aftab

"New Blue Sun" — André 3000

"Code Derivation" — Robert Glasper

"Foreverland" — Keyon Harrold

"No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin" — Meshell Ndegeocello

Best country solo performance

"16 Carriages" — Beyoncé

"I Am Not OK" — Jelly Roll

"The Architect" — Kacey Musgraves

"A Bar Song (Tipsy)" — Shaboozey

"It Takes a Woman" — Chris Stapleton

Best country duo/group performance

"Cowboys Cry Too" — Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan

"II Most Wanted" — Beyoncé featuring Miley Cyrus

"Break Mine" — Brothers Osborne

"Bigger Houses" — Dan + Shay

"I Had Some Help" — Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen

Best country song

"The Architect" — Kacey Musgraves

"A Bar Song (Tipsy)" — Shaboozey

"I Am Not Okay" — Jelly Roll

"I Had Some Help" — Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen

"Texas Hold 'Em" — Beyoncé

Best country album

"Cowboy Carter" — Beyoncé

"F-1 Trillion" — Post Malone

"Deeper Well" — Kacey Musgraves

"Higher" — Chris Stapleton

"Whirlwind" — Lainey Wilson

Best Latin pop album

"Funk Generation" — Anitta

"El Viaje" — Luis Fonsi

"García" — Kany García

"Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" — Shakira

"Orquídeas" — Kali Uchis

Best música urbana album

"Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañan" — Bad Bunny

"Rayo" — J Balvin

"Ferxxocalipsis" — Feid

"Las Letras Ya No Importan" — Residente

"Att." — Young Miko

Best African music performance

"Tomorrow" — Yemi Alade

"MMS" — Asake and Wizkid

"Sensational" — Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay

"Higher" — Burna Boy

"Love Me JeJe" — Tems

Best musical theater album

"Hell's Kitchen"

"Merrily We Roll Along"

"The Notebook"

"The Outsiders"

"Suffs"

"The Wiz"

Best music video

"Tailor Swif" — A$AP Rocky

"360" — Charli XCX

"Houdini" — Eminem

"Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar

"Fortnight" — Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone

Best score soundtrack for visual media (includes film and television)

"American Fiction"

"Challengers"

"The Color Purple "

"Dune: Part Two"

"Shōgun"

Best song written for visual media

"Ain't No Love in Oklahoma" from "Twisters: The Album" — Luke Combs

"Better Place" from "Trolls Band Together" — NSYNC and Justin Timberlake

"Can't Catch Me Now" from "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" — Olivia Rodrigo

"It Never Went Away" from "American Symphony" — Jon Batiste

"Love Will Survive" from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" — Barbra Streisand

Best new artist

Benson Boone

Sabrina Carpenter

Doechii

Khruangbin

Raye

Chappell Roan

Shaboozey

Teddy Swims

Song of the year

"A Bar Song (Tipsy)" — Shaboozey

"Birds of a Feather" - Billie Eilish

"Die With a Smile" — Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars

"Fortnight" — Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone

"Good Luck, Babe!" — Chappell Roan

"Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar

"Please Please Please" — Sabrina Carpenter

"Texas Hold 'Em" — Beyoncé

Record of the year

"Now and Then" — The Beatles

"Texas Hold 'Em" — Beyoncé

"Espresso" — Sabrina Carpenter

"360" — Charli XCX

"Birds of a Feather" — Billie Eilish

"Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar

"Good Luke, Babe!" — Chappell Roan

"Fortnight" — Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone

Album of the year

"New Blue Sun" — André 3000

"Cowboy Carter" — Beyoncé

"Short n' Sweet" — Sabrina Carpenter

"Brat" — Charli XCX

"Djesse Vol. 4" — Jacob Collier

"Hit Me Hard and Soft" — Billie Eilish

"Chappell Roan The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" — Chappell Roan

"The Tortured Poets Department" — Taylor Swift

• The 67th annual Grammy Awards are underway at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
• Some celebrities nailed the glamorous vibe of the event, but others missed the mark.
• Chrishell Stause wore a white jumpsuit that was a little too bridal.

Music's biggest stars often take major fashion risks at the Grammy Awards … but they don't always pay off.

At the 67th Grammy Awards, which are taking place on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, some stars got it right with their red-carpet outfits. Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish wore high-fashion looks ripped straight from the runway, while others like Raye and Kacey Musgraves leaned into classic, sophisticated glamour.

However, other looks on the red carpet fell short — some were too gaudy, others overwhelmed the celebrities wearing them, and some were just far too daring.

Here are looks that missed the mark at the 2025 Grammys.

Kelsea Ballerini

Ballerini's makeup and hair were flawless, and the neckline shape of her black beaded minidress added intrigue to an otherwise safe option.

However, the entire Tamara Ralph look was overwhelmed by the oversized off-the-shoulder opera coat that trailed behind her.

Chrishell Stause

The "Selling Sunset" star's Galia Lahav look, which featured a lace, boned bodice and wide-legged pants, would've worked as a white jumpsuit, but the added skirt is too much — it's more bridal than red carpet.

Jaden Smith

Smith has never been one for subtle red-carpet fashion, and the 2025 Grammys were no different. The castle headpiece veered too odd for our tastes, and his Louis Vuitton suit was part-classic, part-cartoonish with its oversized arms and nipped-in waist.

Drew Afualo

The TikTok star's look had too much going on. The pink and gray mismatched panels almost look unfinished, and the triangular clasp on the waist doesn't match with the rest of the look.

Lakecia Benjamin

The saxophonist would look more at home at Comic-Con in this superhero-inspired golden ensemble.

It featured a spandex one-piece, a shimmering gold cape, and metallic golden boots.

Noah Kahan

Kahan's ivory suit and pants were an odd pairing with a pure-white shirt and tie — and the pants look like they could use an iron or a fresh press.

Sierra Ferrell

Grammy winner Sierra Ferrell walked the red carpet in a pearl-covered ball gown that was more costume than couture. The look featured a pearlescent tulle overskirt that overwhelmed her, and the matching scepter and headpiece were just a little too over-the-top.

Poppy

Poppy walked the red carpet in a look by Simone Rocha that featured a red jacket that slightly resembled a raincoat and a light-pink tulle skirt. The final look seemed a touch too juvenile for the glamorous event.

St. Vincent

St. Vincent wore a business-inspired look that featured an open-front, black blazer, and fishnet tights. Finished with a pair of white dress socks, the look felt too casual for the Grammys red carpet.

• My parents never gave me a proper sex talk, so I vowed to do better for my kids.
• But my kids asked me more complicated questions about abortion and same-sex relationships.
• I struggled to answer them, but I took the time to step away and come back with better answers.

What I remember about the birds and the bees conversation during my childhood is foggy at best. My parents never really took the time to explain the ins and outs of having sex, and most of what I knew I learned from other people.

My conservative family didn't put an emphasis on conversations like that. When I started asking where babies come from, my mother told me that a woman has a seed in her that a man waters, and then babies are made.

The talk lasted about five seconds, and we were on to the next thing. Thinking about that experience made me want to be a better parent for my kids. In important conversations like that, I decided I would go above and beyond to explain things to their satisfaction.

The sex talk didn't go how I had planned

As a parent, I've always worked hard to make information accessible to my children. I spent a lot of time researching how to have sex conversations as a father, and I was ready for the questions when they came.

The sex talk may be a one-time conversation for most people, but I wanted to have it as many times as my kids saw fit. After all, it was an opportunity to talk about anatomy, safety, conception, pleasure, consent, contraception, intimacy, and more.

Despite all the preparation, when the time came — when they were around 12 — to have the talk with my kids, I struggled. They were asking about sex changes and my stance on sensitive topics like abortion. They wondered about Planned Parenthood, same-sex encounters, and much more.

Their questions were miles away from what I expected. I wasn't ready for what they knew and felt like some of my opinions were too strong to share with my kids.

I struggled to give the answers that my kids wanted to hear and had to really think about what I wanted to say.

I took a step away, and that helped

Instead of answering my kids' surprise, tough questions on the spot, I told them I needed to think and would get back to them.

When I stepped away, I thought about my parents and how they were not able to have the sex talk in a satisfactory way. Most of my anxiety resulted from how I grew up and the conversations I had with my parents, and I didn't want my kids to feel the way I did. I want them to grow up into independent, well-informed adults. The only way to do this is to educate them on the things that matter.

So, I decided to be honest and tell my kids the truth.

After a couple of days of reflecting, my wife and I sat our kids down and answered what we could. We had these conversations many times, addressing everything that the kids wanted to know and guiding them in the way we felt best.

Taking time to consider my answers really helped

In having the sex talk(s) with my kids, I realized it's important for both parents to show up — if possible. My wife saved the day when I was ill-prepared with some answers, and she shared experiences I never had.

I also found that having conversations about consent and respect was most important. In that way, my son understood why boundaries are important with the opposite sex, and my daughters learned to give or deny consent before anything happens.

Finally, I didn't have all the answers at the moment, and it's perfectly OK to think about what you want to say before you say it. Taking time helped me address issues from my kids' point of view rather than a general perspective.

It's OK to be nervous, and trusting my ability to communicate with my kids on complicated issues is key. Honest, compassionate, and shame-free conversations will always get you far with the young ones.

I'm giving myself grace as a parent

The world as we know it has changed, and kids are growing up faster than we care to admit. Finding teachable moments for a parent is the best thing we can do for our young ones.

I now realize that it's a journey; there's no handbook to it. I'm bound to make mistakes along the way.

The sex talk is probably one of the most significant conversations that I'll have with my kids. I may not have done so great with it in the beginning, but I hope they will still come to me whenever they need answers.

• Soo Jae Lee and Jeffrey Castro left their NYC studio to live in a tiny house on wheels in Portland.
• "To our astonishment, we didn't slow down. Mother Nature truly keeps you on your toes," Castro, 47, said.
• After two years, they sold the tiny house and said they wouldn't do this full-time again.

Soo Jae Lee and Jeffrey Castro started following tiny house videos on YouTube in 2015.

The couple was living in a 400-square-foot studio apartment in Manhattan at that time, and they were always trying to find ways to make the best use of their limited space. In their apartment, they even built a king-sized loft bed to create a tiny living room space beneath it.

"The studio we lived in in Manhattan made us feel like we would be able to adapt to an even smaller space," Castro, 47, told Business Insider. "We already felt as though we had too many things and were ready to live with even less."

The idea of living in a tiny house started to take root. That, along with the desire to be near nature, led the couple to move to the West Coast in 2019.

They started off in an apartment in the Alberta Arts District of Portland, Oregon. Castro was working remotely for an online media company, while Soo Jae left her fashion career to develop the couple's brand SooJ and Jef, where they sold original artwork — including paintings, textile arts, and punch needle kits — and taught punch needle workshops.

By the end of the year, they had met with designers to start on the plans for their personalized tiny house. However, the pandemic hit — and their build was placed on indefinite hold because of the lockdowns.

They ended up buying a tiny house on wheels from a listing on Facebook Marketplace for about $60,000, and parked it on a lot they leased from farm owners on Sauvie Island — about a 30-minute drive from Portland. Rent was $675 each month and included utilities.

There were four other tiny houses — all occupied — on the farm, in addition to the owners in the main house, Castro said.

"The community was situated on an organic herbal medicine farm that housed animals for homesteading," Castro said. "We seized this opportunity, as it seemed like a rare chance to experience living in a wildlife sanctuary."

Sauvie Island measures about 24,000 acres, making it the largest island along the Columbia River. About 11,643 acres are designated as the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. According to the Sauvie Island Fire District, there are about 445 households on the island.

The couple knew it wouldn't be easy, but they were eager to embark on a new adventure.

"In retrospect, we realize that we had jumped into the deep end before fully grasping the concept of 'living tiny,'" Castro said.

Tiny living on a farm

When the couple moved into their new tiny house, they made several changes to the interiors.

They moved the existing bed into a fixed lofted position, installed a shower system, and updated the composting toilet. To brighten things up, they also gave their tiny house a fresh coat of paint. All these updates amounted to slightly under $2,000, Castro said.

Being in such a different environment from what they were used to felt new and exciting.

"We had the opportunity to witness nature and wildlife in their most undisturbed state," Castro said. "Every evening, we are treated to the most breathtaking sunsets. The silence at night is equally captivating."

At that time, the couple relied on selling their handmade crafts at local markets to make a living, especially since Castro was laid off from his job when the pandemic hit.

Since they lacked a studio space, their tiny house also served as a makeshift factory, quickly filling up with products and art supplies.

As part of their lease with their landlord, the couple was also required to help out around the farm, Castro said.

But due to their lack of farming skills, their duties were limited to garbage handling, composting, watering, and overseeing the quails on the farm.

To supplement their contributions, the couple also offered to help in other ways, such as painting signs, filming video content for the farm, and photographing products.

The other livestock — such as pigs, goats, and ducks — were primarily cared for by the main family, but since the pens were located near their parking spot, observing them became a part of the couple's daily routine.

Having grown up in the suburbs of New Jersey and Long Island, and later in New York City, living with animals was an eye-opening experience for them, Castro said.

"I adored all of them, and their charming and sometimes shocking behaviors surprised me," he said.

Grappling with unexpected challenges

The couple is part of a growing group who are interested in living tiny.

Housing keeps getting more expensive all around the world, which means that tiny houses are often seen as a cheaper alternative to buying real estate.

Living tiny is also a way to live simply: Six people who live in tiny houses told BI previously that the lifestyle forced them to declutter and cut back on unnecessary spending.

But as much as the couple enjoyed living in their tiny house, they eventually realized that adapting to their new environment was tougher than they had anticipated.

"I would say it took a few months to really sink in that this living situation was not what I expected," Castro said.

Since Sauvie Island was primarily a wildlife area, their internet connection was often spotty, he said.

"We relied on cellular WiFi, which was unreliable and slow at best," he said, adding that their internet plan cost $110 a month.

They also frequently experienced power outages, especially during fire season when the power was turned off during high wind conditions, he said.

When winter came, frozen pipes became a problem — even with heated hoses, Castro said: "In some cases, we faced water shortages for days."

Their location also left them exposed to the elements. Castro remembers the wildfires that broke out across Oregon in September 2020, when smoke filled the air all around them and created hazardous breathing conditions for weeks.

For him, that — coupled with the then-ongoing pandemic restrictions — felt like a "turning point" on their journey.

"When the wildfire smoke engulfed the island, it kept us locked inside the tiny house because of the high toxicity levels," Castro said. "Stepping out the door required an N90 mask, the air was horrible-smelling, and we saw no sunlight that entire time."

The lockdowns also meant they had nowhere else to go — not even into Portland.

"Our small world had become even smaller and dangerous. This situation felt completely beyond our control, and that was terrifying," Castro said.

The following summer, there was also a massive heat wave in the Portland area, where temperatures soared to 116 degrees Fahrenheit.

"Unfortunately, we lacked a cooling system or ice," he said.

"Unfortunate timing" led to their experience

Compared to the city, life on the farm sometimes felt just as fast and overwhelming.

"To our astonishment, we didn't slow down. Mother Nature truly keeps you on your toes," Castro said. "There was always something to prepare for living on the farm, and all of it felt like a tight deadline."

It also made them realize that they took for granted how living and working in the city had kept them from worrying about preparing food on days they couldn't leave their homes.

Looking back, Castro says that experience helped them realize that they were out of their element.

"I fully understand that some of the challenges we faced are common daily struggles, and I'm not complaining," he said. "Honestly, I didn't enter this journey with a clear sense of self or my capabilities."

In many ways, it was "unfortunate timing" that led them to have the experience they had, he said.

Despite that, Castro is grateful for the chance to experiment with a lifestyle like this, which helped him grow and learn.

"In fact, I'm proud of how Soo Jae and I overcame the obstacles we put ourselves through," he added.

Saying goodbye to tiny living

After two years, they moved into an apartment and decided to list their tiny house for sale.

After weeks, they finally sold their tiny house to a couple in Canada who wanted to use it as a vacation home. They preferred to keep the amount they sold the tiny house for private.

In 2023, the couple moved yet again, this time into a rental house in Portland. However, with their lease ending soon, they are now thinking about their next move — which includes leaving Oregon.

While their future plans are still uncertain, they know they will not live in a tiny house on wheels full-time again. At most, Castro said, it will be "as a retreat or studio or rental only."

That said, the couple would be happy to move back to a big city.

"New York and New Jersey have always felt like home, so it would be a comfortable transition," Castro said.

Despite the challenges they faced, he says he doesn't want to discourage anyone from pursuing this option.

"True freedom is the ability to experiment and to push beyond your own borders," Castro said. "I am also so grateful to have a partner to take this journey with and stick it through together."

Do you have any housing or relocation regrets? If you have a story to share, contact this reporter at [email protected].

• Herman Ko, 27, deferred his college graduation by one semester to intern at JPMorgan.
• He managed to land a full time role there but decided to quit just over three years into the job.
• Ko said the long hours, as well as a mismatch with his career aspirations, drove him to leave.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Herman Ko, 27, a former banker at JPMorgan. The following has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.

I wasn't the most academically focused student back in college.

I didn't have a perfect GPA, and I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to do for my career. I only knew I wanted two things in a job — one, it had to be prestigious, and two, it had to offer good career mobility if I ever wanted to leave my job.

I decided to focus on getting a job at an investment bank. Admittedly, I was chasing a shiny object but it ticked all my boxes, whether be it in terms of pay, prestige, and exit opportunities.

I figured that since there wasn't something I particularly enjoyed doing, I might as well pick a job that offered the maximum potential and benefits.

That said, the journey to landing a job at a bulge bracket bank was tough. When I started applying for internships, my GPA was only 2.4 out of 4.3. I also didn't have any familial connections who could offer me job referrals.

That drove me to approach my job hunt differently from most of my peers. I knew that I couldn't let my GPA, which is really just one line in my entire CV, define my application.

To that end, I experimented with different interview methods and revised my CV countless times. I networked with finance professionals to get a better sense of what life is like on the trading floor. That way, I could try to position myself as an industry professional instead of a wide-eyed student trying to find his way.

Another thing I did to distinguish myself during my internships was to perform magic tricks at events like my boss's birthday. That helped to leave a memorable impression on my colleagues.

Deferring my graduation to clinch a gig at JPMorgan

I actually secured a return offer from Deutsche Bank after interning for them, one year before my graduation.

However, in my final year, I decided to apply to American banks since they are seen as more prestigious than their European counterparts. That's when I received a summer internship offer from JPMorgan.

That presented two problems for me. Firstly, if I wanted to intern at JPMorgan, I had to give up my job offer at Deutsche Bank. Secondly, I had to defer my graduation by a semester in order to intern at JPMorgan as an undergraduate.

Although it was a huge gamble, I decided to intern at JPMorgan anyway. To me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work at one of the top banks in the world.

Fortunately, I did well in the internship and earned a spot on JPMorgan's two-year graduate rotation program. I did four different rotations, where I got to pitch and sell cash management and treasury products to clients. At the end of the program, I landed a full time role at the bank.

Working at JPMorgan was an exhilarating experience. Everyone I got to work with was insanely smart. I learnt a lot from JPMorgan's in-house training as well as on the job.

Leaving JPMorgan and charting a new path

After working at JPMorgan for about three and a half years, I decided to call it quits. For one, the long hours I was clocking were starting to take a toll on my body.

I also realized that the work done in an investment bank is very specialized. In my case, I was tasked with marketing financial products specifically to financial institutions.

That wasn't what I wanted for my career. I wanted to stay ahead of the curve and cover solutions powered by the latest technologies instead of traditional financial products.

On a deeper level, I also wanted to challenge myself. Though I was achieving a lot at JPMorgan, I couldn't tell how much of that was driven by the bank's reputation. I wanted to see if I could still excel without relying on the JPMorgan brand.

That eventually led me to my current employer, Career Hackers, a human resources and education technology startup. My new role aligned with my passions and interest in mentoring and technology.

Even though I'm now working at a start-up, I can still use the sales skills I picked up at JPMorgan. As a junior banker, I got to learn the ropes by first taking meeting minutes and then gradually progress to lead client conversations myself.

That has made the transition to my new role a lot smoother since startup work tends to be self-directed.

Looking back, I have no regrets about starting my career at JPMorgan. The opportunities and exposure I got there could not have been found anywhere else.

• Celebrities gathered at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for the Grammys on Sunday.
• Some of the world's biggest stars came together to celebrate music released last year.
• Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo wore standout looks on the red carpet.

The biggest stars in music dazzled on the red carpet ahead of the Grammys on Sunday.

The 67th annual Grammys were held at the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Crypto.com Arena, and hosted for the fifth time by comedian and former "Daily Show" host Trevor Noah.

Grammy nominee Chappell Roan walked the red carpet in an archival gown by Jean Paul Gaultier from 2003 that featured images of ballerinas and a pin-cushion boutonnière, while Olivia Rodrigo attended in a vintage Versace look and Tiffany & Co. jewels.

Photos show this year's best-dressed Grammy attendees.

Chappell Roan

The first-time Grammy nominee wore a vintage gown by Jean Paul Gaultier from the design house's spring/summer couture 2003 collection.

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter wore a backless gown by JW Anderson with feather detailing.

Billie Eilish and Finneas

The sibling duo rocked matching monochromatic looks. Finneas wore Zegna, while Billie Eilish wore a full Prada ensemble and hat.

Cardi B

Cardi B wore a sequined gown by Roberto Cavalli with a flowing feather train.

Raye

Raye wore a floor-length black gown by Armani Privé and De Beers jewelry.

Gracie Abrams

The "That's So True" singer wore a custom gown and veil by Chanel.

Troye Sivan

The singer, who toured with Grammy nominee Charli XCX last year, wore a custom Prada suit.

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen wore a daring sheer gown by Christian Siriano.

Benson Boone

Benson Boone elevated a classic menswear silhouette in Dolce & Gabbana.

Charli XCX

The "Guess" singer took to the red carpet in a custom gown by Ludovic de Saint Sernin for Jean Paul Gaultier and accessories by Bucherer Fine Jewelry.

Cynthia Erivo

The "Wicked" star walked the red carpet in Louis Vuitton.

Shaboozey

Shaboozey wore a grey-leather houndstooth jacket, black pants, and a De Beers brooch.

Kacey Musgraves

The "Deeper Well" singer wore a fringed gown by Ralph Lauren with a tank-style top.

Taylor Swift

The pop superstar, who could break the record for most album of the year wins, rocked a custom red minidress by Vivienne Westwood. She accessorized the look with red heels and a leg chain with a tiny "T."

Doechii

The "Denial is a River" singer walked the red carpet in a Thom Browne gown that resembled a suit and tie.

"I feel incredible," she told E! on the red carpet. "I'm in Thom Browne head to toe. I feel like a doll."

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo walked the Grammys red carpet in a vintage Versace gown.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus wore a leather gown with bold cutouts by Saint Laurent.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton wore a '70s-inspired gold gown and sheer cape.

Coco Jones

Coco Jones, who was nominated for best R&B song and best R&B performance, wore a red silk gown with bold cutouts.

Willow Smith

Willow Smith wore a bold star-covered lingerie set and flowing black jacket. Her look was designed by Versace.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga walked the red carpet in a custom Vivienne Westwood gown similar to the jacket worn on the cover of her coming album, "Mayhem."

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys wore a Baroque-inspired gown with dramatic earrings.

J Balvin

J Balvin wore an oversize black coat on the Grammy Awards red carpet.

Mikayla Geier

Mikayla Geier wore a red gown with a balconette-style neckline.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe wore a navy Area suit, which was more toned down for the singer — a purposeful choice, her stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn told The Hollywood Reporter.

"We pulled things that were more avant-garde, a bit more wacky and out there, but that doesn't feel like the mindset right now," Mandelkorn said, referencing the recent Los Angeles wildfires.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé, who didn't walk the red carpet, accepted her award for best country album in a crystal-covered paisley gown and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

• Democrats are outnumbered in Congress.
• Major policy debates among Democrats are instead unfolding in the states.
• From housing to school lunches, state Democrats are finding ways to advance their agenda.

Before President Donald Trump took office for his second term, Democrats in state legislatures across the country began preparing themselves for an onslaught of conservative-driven policies.

As the new year began, Democrats in the states filed a flurry of bills addressing everything from minimum wage increases and price fixing to child poverty and medical leave to stave off Trump's expected initiatives.

Despite the preparation, Democrats were still alarmed, however, when the administration last week sought to freeze billions in federal funding.

Here's how state Democrats are seeking to advance their priorities against the prospect of federal funding fights.

An eye on housing affordability

Trump's campaign success rested largely on the economy, rallying his base and even some longtime Democratic voters to the GOP over inflation.

The potential of a funding freeze, however, could threaten critical housing assistance programs that have aided many Americans. The president's new tariffs on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico could also raise the cost of materials for construction, causing house prices to go up.

So Democrats in the states are trying to pass a series of laws focused on housing affordability.

In Colorado, legislative Democrats are debating a bill that would regulate rent-setting computer algorithms, which many lawmakers said have allowed housing prices to be artificially increased and, in turn, have provided more favorable rent prices to landlords.

A report issued by the Biden administration in December found that renters in Denver paid $136 more each month to landlords who used the computer algorithms. (The report has since been taken down from the White House website.)

Similar efforts are underway in California, New Jersey, and Virginia, which all have Democratic-controlled legislatures.

In Wisconsin, legislative Democrats have also introduced a bill to broaden the homestead tax credit, which gives property tax relief to lower-income renters and homeowners.

Tackling child poverty

In 2021, congressional Democrats muscled through an expanded Child Tax Credit as part of then-President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan — which directed monthly payments of $250 to $300 per child from July through December of that year.

However, an extension of the expanded Child Tax Credit failed to materialize due to opposition from then-Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. And there was inaction on the issue at the federal level during the final two years of Biden's terms.

Among the uncertainty caused by January's funding freeze order, many eyes turned to the National School Lunch Program, a federal program that provides low-cost or free lunches to schoolchildren.

Democratic lawmakers in Alaska, Washington, New York, and Virginia are looking to pass legislation that would make school breakfasts and lunches free for all public K-12 students.

While there's no guarantee that the school lunch bills will pass in every state, Democrats are positioned to pass many of their highest-profile priorities in the states. And legislative Democrats are set to play a huge role in how the party navigates Trump's second term.

"The Trump administration is leading with chaos and confusion while prioritizing billionaires over working families," Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams told Business Insider in a statement.

"As families scramble to navigate the dysfunction and make ends meet, state Democrats are picking up Washington's mess and bringing real solutions forward to bring prices down," she said. "From boosting rental assistance to eliminating the cost of school meals, Democrats are laser-focused and leading the fight against the callous economic devastation threatened by Trump and Republicans."

• Elon Musk says Department of Government Efficiency works 120 hours a week.
• Musk's is trying to cut a $1 trillion or more from the federal budget.
• Some executives told BI that Musk's posts are meant to set the tone for the work culture he expects.

It's been just under two weeks since Elon Musk stepped into his role at the Department of Government Efficiency, and he's already bringing his Silicon Valley drive to Washington.

"DOGE is working 120 hours a week. Our bureaucratic opponents optimistically work 40 hours a week. That is why they are losing so fast," Musk posted to X on Sunday.

Less than a day earlier, he had extolled the virtues of weekend work.

"Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it's like the opposing team just leaves the field for 2 days!" he wrote on X.

That's 17 hours and 8 minutes of work a day, including Saturday and Sunday, as one X user noted in the comments.

Musk is known for his relentless work ethic. He's said he works 120-hour weeks and expects his employees to work long hours, too.

When he officially took control of Twitter in October 2022, he immediately mandated 80-hour workweeks. But whether his hard-charging tech executive mentality will work in the more staid realm of government is an open question.

An operational efficiency expert told Business Insider that Musk's approach might be the best way to get DOGE quickly up to speed.

"Musk's tweet underscores his well-known philosophy on work ethic and the inefficiencies of bureaucracy," Shannon Copeland, CEO of SIB, a cost-cutting firm, told BI by text. "While a 120-hour workweek isn't a practical or sustainable solution for most, the principle behind it resonates. Companies that prioritize efficiency, automation, and proactive cost management will always outperform those weighed down by bureaucracy."

Roi Ginat, CEO of Endless AI, which developed a video AI assistant and has raised $100 million, said Musk's posts shouldn't be taken literally.

"Driving a team too hard for too long leads to fatigue and burnout. Many people simply won't function well without enough sleep, and as fatigue sets in, errors increase," he told BI by text. "I believe that Elon's tweet is about an effort, not a new standard at DOGE."

Ginat, who said he regularly works 85 hours a week, added that "my work is on my mind most of my time, and it's an important part of the deal, but great work ideas often come while I hike with my kids."

• Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer says things may 'need to change' as companies threaten to incorporate elsewhere.
• Elon Musk has led the charge to leave Delaware after a court rejected his Tesla pay package.
• Delaware remains a top destination to incorporate, especially among Fortune 500 companies.

Some corporations — led in part by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — are threatening to abandon Delaware and incorporate elsewhere.

Delaware's newly-inaugurated Gov. Matt Meyer, however, says he intends to lure them back.

"The fact is Delaware is the best location in the world for a company to incorporate, and that's thanks to our legal expertise dating back to 1792. But let's be clear: If any entity leaves Delaware, we're going to work to win them back," Meyer told Business Insider.

Nearly 2.2 million entities — "more than ever," Meyer said — are registered in Delaware, including two-thirds of all Fortune 500 companies, according to the state's Division of Corporations.

Meyer said it remains a "competitive environment," though, and that his state needed to take challenges to its corporate laws seriously.

"Any company thinking about leaving, we're actively reaching out, we're talking to them, we're understanding what the issues are and understanding what ways we can do better," he said. "And for those entities that have already made the decision to leave, we're going to continue to work hard to earn their trust and hopefully to have them come back."

Musk called on corporations to re-incorporate elsewhere after a Delaware court rejected his $55 billion Tesla pay package. Both Tesla and SpaceX left Delaware last year, reincorporating in Texas.

Bill Ackman, the billionaire CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, said in an X post on Saturday that he planned to move his management company out of Delaware to reincorporate in Nevada or Texas.

"Any lawyer still recommending incorporation in Delaware at this point should be sued for malpractice," Musk posted on X in reference to Ackman's statement. "Texas or Nevada actually respect shareholder rights."

Meyer said that issues like the balance of shareholder and management rights need to be addressed.

"It's really important we get it right for Elon Musk or whoever the litigants are in Delaware courts," he said. "We're cognizant that there may be some things that need to change. We're going to work on them."

Though he's been in office for less than two weeks, Meyer said he has already met with "leading corporate legal brass" and state government leaders to chart a path forward.

"I think within the coming weeks you're going to see some things rolled out that will help move our state forward and bring us into 2025 and beyond to make sure we're protecting and growing the corporate franchise," he said.

"It certainly beats going to Vegas and rolling the dice," he added.

A spokesperson for Delaware Courts declined to comment.

• I was flying alone with my 2-year-old, and she was overtired and crying.
• The gate agent said I needed to calm her down before boarding.
• A woman behind me carried all my stuff so I could hold my child and comfort her.

It took a moment to register the gate agent's words over the high-pitched wails of my 2-year-old daughter. One look at her crossed arms told me I hadn't misunderstood. She wasn't letting us onto the flight.

Stunned, I remained frozen in place.

"She's not getting on the plane until she calms down," the gate agent repeated. Her mouth curled in disgust at my daughter's tear-strewn cheeks.

She was tired, and I knew she'd be fine on the plane

On our way home from where we lived in Maui to visit my parents in Washington State, my daughter had hit her threshold. She was tired of being confined to her umbrella stroller in the stuffy terminal. But she loved airplanes. Once we settled into our seats, I knew she'd smile again. When the announcement for families with young children to pre-board was made, I rushed to the front of the line.

I was 32, lost, and struggling as a new mom. However, I considered myself a pro at traveling as a solo parent. A small victory I clung to.

Though I was still together with my daughter's father at the time, I often felt like a single mother. Our relationship was fraught. He usually didn't join us when we flew to visit family during the holidays and summer vacations. I craved a supportive, loving partnership to share parental duties, but I also longed for peace and respite from the fighting.

So I'd learned to navigate my daughter's bulky car seat, luggage, diaper bag, and stroller by myself, proving I could bear the weight of it all without assistance from anyone. Even if it left my hair disheveled, and beads of sweat smudged my mascara.

I tried to tell the gate agent she would calm down

We'd taken our first transpacific flight when my daughter was 8 months old. I'd noticed nearby passengers' tense, wary looks as we shuffled down the aisle. When the wheel hit the tarmac six hours later, those same people cooed, "What a good baby," marveling that she'd never cried.

Bristling, I met their compliments with a tight smile. I really wanted to reply: So, babies that did fuss were somehow bad?

Now, according to the gate agent in an Aloha-print polyester button-up blocking my path to the jetway, the answer was, in fact, yes.

"Once I gate-check the stroller and carry her to our seats, she'll be fine," I pleaded.

Without glancing at me, the gate agent waved the person behind me around. The beep of their ticket scanning caused my throat to constrict. Perhaps sensing her mother was on the verge of a breakdown, the intensity of my toddler's tantrum kicked up a notch. I could feel everyone's watchful gaze boring into us. My carry-ons, diaper bag, daughter, me — we were all in the way. It was a spectacle. My face started to break.

"Please," I implored once more.

Another mom came to my rescue

A hand grasped my elbow. Expecting to see a security guard ready to escort us away, I turned. Instead, there stood a woman in her late 30s with warm eyes.

"Let me help you," she said. I thought this stranger might be a saint.

Too overwhelmed by her unexpected kindness, I nodded wordlessly. The woman removed my diaper bag from my arm and swung it over hers. Working together in tandem, she grabbed the handles of my carry-on. I unbuckled my daughter from her stroller, scooping her close to my chest. Her shrieks turned to muffled whimpers. In two swift moves, the woman broke down the stroller. Reaching to take it from her, she waved away my hand. "I got everything."

She turned to her husband and two older children further down the line and told them she'd meet them on the plane.

She was not a saint but another mother.

With her by my side, I walked past the annoyed sigh of the scowling gate agent onto the plane and to our seats. Minutes earlier, the burning humiliation I'd felt gave way to immense gratitude. "Thank you," I managed to choke out as she embraced me before continuing to her row to wait for her family.

It was just me and my daughter again, who was content peering out the window. Only now, after this woman's selfless act, I didn't feel like we were so alone in the world.

• Industry and business leaders are reacting to President Donald Trump's latest tariffs.
• The Trump administration said Saturday it had imposed new levies on Canada, Mexico, and China.
• All three countries vowed to retaliate, threatening a trade war.

Billionaires, industry leaders, and executives are reacting to President Donald Trump's tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China.

The Trump administration said Saturday it had imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on China.

The announcement sparked swift responses from all three countries. Canada and Mexico promised retaliatory tariffs, and China vowed "corresponding countermeasures."

Trump says the tariffs are necessary to pressure Mexico, Canada, and China to do more to stem the flow of illegal fentanyl into the United States. Addiction and overdoses related to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, have gripped the United States for years, hollowing out towns and city neighborhoods all over the country. The drug is often produced in China and smuggled over US borders.

"Trump is taking bold action to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country," the White House said in a statement on Saturday.

Business leaders, however, are urging Trump to reconsider, fearing a global trade war that could wreak havoc on American industries.

Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur

In a post on Bluesky, Cuban warned that the new levies would cost people money and hurt businesses.

"I'm going to put my rich guy hat on and say I hope that Mexico and Canada issue equal, retaliatory tariffs and stick to them for an extended period," Cuban wrote.

"I apologize to all the people it will cost money and the businesses it will hurt. But it's the only way for tariffs to be seen for what they are."

Tobi Lütke, Shopify CEO

In a post on X, Lütke, the CEO of the Canadian firm Shopify, said he was disappointed with the US tariffs and Canada's government's response.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday that Canada would impose 25% tariffs on C$155 billion (around $106 billion) of US goods following the Trump administration's decision.

But Lütke said hitting back would "not lead to anything good."

"Canada thrives when it works with America together. Win by helping America win," he wrote. "These tariffs are going to be devastating to so many people's lives and small businesses."

Ricardo Salinas Pliego, Mexican billionaire

Pliego, the chairman of the retail and banking conglomerate Grupo Elektra, slammed the tariffs in a series of posts on X but said Mexico should not retaliate.

"As things stand, there is nothing to do but endure this misfortune imposed on us," he wrote. "Perhaps, with the passage of time, more prepared and sensible minds will prevail in the USA and things will change, but that is not in our hands."

"What we definitely SHOULD NOT DO is play the 'Boy Hero' and throw ourselves into the void, by putting MORE taxes on Mexican citizens, who are already screwed by Trump's actions," he added.

Aluminum Association

The Aluminum Association has urged Trump to exempt Canada from the tariffs, saying it was vital to help protect jobs and local manufacturers.

In a statement on Saturday, Charles Johnson, the president and CEO of the association, which represents aluminum production and jobs in the United States, welcomed Trump's efforts to "support American manufacturing" but said the industry's strength relied on imports from the north.

"Thanks to robust domestic demand and coming investment, the US aluminum industry needs a steady and predictable supply of primary, secondary and scrap aluminum," Johnson said. "Today, much of that metal comes from North American trading partners, especially Canada."

United Steelworkers

The USW, representing 850,000 workers in metals, mining, and other industries, has also called for Trump to reconsider tariffs on Canada.

In a statement, USW International President David McCall said the union had "long called for systemic reform of our broken trade system, but lashing out at key allies like Canada is not the way forward."

"Canada has proven itself time and again to be one of our strongest partners when it comes to national security, and our economies are deeply integrated," the statement continued.

National Association of Manufacturers

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said manufacturers were already facing increasing cost pressures and that the latest tariffs on Canada and Mexico threatened "to upend the very supply chains that have made US manufacturing more competitive globally."

"The ripple effects will be severe, particularly for small and medium-sized manufacturers," Timmons added. "Ultimately, manufacturers will bear the brunt of these tariffs, undermining our ability to sell our products at a competitive price and putting American jobs at risk."

National Association of Home Builders

The NAHB said the tariffs on Canada and Mexico could increase construction costs and ultimately lead to higher home prices.

"More than 70% of the imports of two essential materials that home builders rely on—softwood lumber and gypsum (used for drywall)—come from Canada and Mexico, respectively," NAHB Chairman Carl Harris said in a statement.

"NAHB urges the administration to reconsider this action on tariffs."

National Retail Federation

David French, the executive vice president of government relations for the National Retail Federation, said in a statement the trade association backs Trump's push to solidify trade ties and ensure that the US has favorable trade conditions.

However, French called the tariffs on the three countries a "serious step."

"We strongly encourage all parties to continue negotiating to find solutions that will strengthen trade relationships and avoid shifting the costs of shared policy failures onto the backs of American families, workers and small businesses," he said in a statement.

"The retail industry is committed to working with President Trump and his administration to achieve his campaign promises, including strengthening the US economy, extending his successful Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and ensuring that American families are protected from higher costs," he added.

Distilled Spirits Council of the US, the Mexican Chamber of the Tequila Industry, and Spirits Canada

In a joint statement, the Distilled Spirits Council of the US, the Mexican Chamber of the Tequila Industry, and Spirits Canada, said the implementation of tariffs threatens the growth of trade in spirits across the three countries, a major issue given setbacks related to COVID-19 and inflation.

"Our associations are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to explore solutions that prevent potential tariffs on distilled spirits," the groups said in their statement. "We are deeply concerned that US tariffs on imported spirits from Canada and Mexico will significantly harm all three countries and lead to a cycle of retaliatory tariffs that negatively impacts our shared industry."

"Maintaining fair and reciprocal duty-free access for all distilled spirits is crucial for supporting jobs and shared growth across North America," they added.

American Automotive Policy Council

Matt Blunt, former governor of Missouri and president of the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents Ford Motor, General Motors, and Stellantis, told BI that he doesn't believe that vehicles and parts that meet the USMCA's requirements — agreed upon by the US, Canada, and Mexico in 2020 — should be subject to increased tariffs.

"Our American automakers, who invested billions in the US to meet these requirements, should not have their competitiveness undermined by tariffs that will raise the cost of building vehicles in the United States and stymie investment in the American workforce," Blunt said.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, representing more than 200,000 businesses, called Trump's tariffs "self-defeating" and "profoundly disturbing" in a statement.

"Our supply chains are so deeply integrated that you can't unwind them overnight," wrote Laing, "Which is why if President Trump truly wanted to bring down costs for Americans, he would be looking at strengthening our trade ties, not tearing them apart."

Laing recounted how the US relies on Canadian imports, such as crude oil and critical minerals, and said that Canada's "job number one" right now is to build resilience and provide security to Canadian families and businesses that are "rightly scared" by the tariffs.

"If we can't trade south, let's diversify our trading partners and dismantle unnecessary internal trade barriers to keep goods and services flowing north, east, and west," she added, "A strong, united, and competitive Canadian economy will thrive no matter what gets thrown our way."

American Petroleum Institute

Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, with some 600 members that produce and distribute the majority of the nation's energy, called energy markets "highly integrated" and Canadian crude oil "critical" for American consumers in a statement.

"The US is the largest market for Canadian crude oil exports and Mexico is the No. 1 destination for US refined product exports," said Sommers, "We will continue to work with the Trump administration on full exclusions that protect energy affordability for consumers, expand the nation's energy advantage and support American jobs."

• I compared three premade espresso martinis to determine which was the best.
• I thought the On the Rocks espresso-martini cocktail was bitter and had an odd aftertaste.
• The Ketel One espresso martini was the winner because of its smooth, sweet flavor.

Espresso martinis have been around for decades, but today, they seem more popular than ever.

I recently saw a few bottled and canned versions of the alcoholic drink — usually made with vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup — at my local liquor store.

Eager to see which was best, I decided to try three brands of premade espresso martinis. To level the playing field, I made sure to prepare each drink the same way — pouring the liquid into a shaker with ice and straining the drink into a martini glass. 

Here's how each espresso martini stacked up.

The On the Rocks espresso-martini cocktail was my least-favorite beverage

A sales associate at the liquor store told me the On the Rocks espresso martini, which has 20% alcohol by volume, was a popular drink.

According to its label, this "rich and dark espresso martini" was made with Effen vodka and espresso-coffee liqueur.

In the glass, the deep-caramel-colored liquid resembled scotch. It smelled neutral, but it had an overpowering flavor when it hit my lips. It started out bold and bitter, then left an odd, lingering, acidic aftertaste well after I finished my sip. 

Overall, I wouldn't purchase this beverage again. 

The Cutwater espresso martini had a tasty, coffee-forward flavor

The Cutwater espresso martini came in a pack of four cans. According to the label on the box, each can contained at least two shots of "real spirits" and 13% alcohol by volume.

When I poured the drink into a glass, the aroma was exactly what I expected: coffee-forward with vodka overtones.

Made with coffee-cream liqueur, it had a nice cold-brew flavor and a light mouthfeel. Because the drink went down easy, the alcohol could definitely sneak up on you.

I think the Cutwater cocktail would be perfect for events like tailgates or fireside sipping.

The Ketel One espresso martini was my favorite of the bunch

The Ketel One espresso martini blended the brand's vodka with coffee liqueur. Though potent at 20.1% alcohol by volume, the Ketel One espresso martini was pretty smooth.

Its subtle chocolaty aroma and strong flavor were a nice surprise. The martini's dark-amber hue gave way to a velvety smooth, sweet drink with slight hints of a flavor that reminded me of hazelnut — mimicking exactly what one expects from a traditional espresso martini.

Overall, the Ketel One espresso martini's coffee-forward flavor dominated the competition, making it my winner.

• Brandon Medford started a luxury automotive brokerage firm in 2017.
• Since then, he's built a multimillion-dollar net worth through different businesses.
• He enjoys treating his kids to things like courtside tickets but says underneath he's still frugal.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Brandon Medford, CEO of Brandon Medford Enterprises. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When I was 22, I was working as the finance director for an automotive dealership. I was bringing home more money in a month than my parents made in a year. My annual income was about $500,000, and I had virtually no expenses because I was still living at home.

And yet, I still ended up broke. I was spending money on partying, travel, and $1,000 dinners. Most of my friends were making $50,000 a year, so I paid for everything when we went out. I wanted to take care of my people.

After three years of that, I had no money in the bank. I realized I needed to change my mindset about money. At the time, I was devastated, but looking back, I learned an important lesson: you should always budget and live below your means.

As my wealth grew, I looked for more frugal role models

I left that job in 2017 to found an automotive brokerage company. It took off quickly, and I started selling luxury vehicles. What set me apart was how I delivered cars. I would deliver cars anywhere, with a big bow and confetti. People wanted to celebrate the milestone of getting their new car, and I made that possible.

The business continued to flourish, especially after 2021, when I founded a loan program that specifically helped entrepreneurs purchase luxury cars. Suddenly I was selling Astin Martins, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and other luxury cars like they were Hondas.

As I built my wealth, I realized I needed to emulate people who reinvested their money. I know someone who sold a business for $80 million and reinvested $70 million. You'd never know he had $80 million in liquid assets because he lived off the $10 million. I wanted to be like that, not like the fast-spending guy I was in my early 20s.

I want my kids to enjoy the fruits of my labor

I reinvested money in real estate, business investment, and other enterprises. Today, I'm a multimillionaire. I'm also a dad to three kids, ages 7, 5, and 4.

I still consider myself a very frugal person, but I'm not afraid to indulge in what my wealth can offer me. I want my family to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I helped connect my 5-year-old daughter with a modeling gig at New York Fashion Week, and now she goes to birthday parties with Dream Kardashian.

My 7-year-old son and I go to Knicks games and sit courtside, meeting the players. When I was growing up, my dad took me to one Knicks game every year, and we sat way up high. I used to point to the courtside seats and say, "One day, I'm going to sit down there." To be able to do that now with my dad and son is very meaningful.

At the same time, I take the kids to the modest homes of my family members in Queens. They know that not everyone is wealthy because they see it in their own family.

I sometimes revisit the Wendy's I used to work at

When you see someone driving a luxury car, you can react one of two ways. You can say, "Wow, he's flashy." Or, you can say, "I wonder what he's done to be able to afford that." I've always been curious — asking questions like that — and it's helped me build wealth.

Today, I sometimes drive my Ferrari to the Wendy's in Brooklyn where I worked when I was 16-19. I'll go through the drive-thru and tell the person at the window, "This is just the beginning." I want them to know I was where they were 13 years ago. With discipline, they could do the same thing I've done.

• Grady Stickney gained over 600,000 TikTok followers in four months.
• Stickney, a college student, told BI he's overwhelmed that his success came as a TikTok ban looms.
• President Donald Trump gave TikTok a 75-day extension to find a buyer or face a US ban.

The TikTok ban has left creators facing uncertainty over the past year. One of TikTok's fastest-growing creators says the pressure has been overwhelming.

The law that could ban TikTok went into effect in the United States on January 19 after the Supreme Court upheld it. The law requires TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app.

While President Donald Trump issued an executive order on January 20 granting a 75-day extension for TikTok to find a buyer, the social media app's future in the United States remains in limbo.

Creators can often build large followings on TikTok faster than other social media platforms. One TikToker previously told BI that he gained over 3 million followers by making four to five 10-second videos a day.

So the possibility of a TikTok ban came as harsh news to Grady Stickney, who has gained over 600,000 followers and 155 million views on his account since November.

"One of the things that affects me the most is the fact that it happened so fast," Stickney said through tears in a TikTok video on January 18, a day before the app briefly shut down to US users.

Stickney told BI that his success on TikTok has been overwhelming.

In just four months, outside of the thousands of new followers and millions of views, he also said he got an offer to audition for a feature film. He said he struggles with the idea that "this could all be gone tomorrow," but is comforted that his videos have resonated with so many people.

"It's a little voice in the back of my head now that says, 'even if I don't get to keep the constant interaction with these people, people love the fact that I'm myself,'" Stickney told BI.

Stickney is a senior education major at a small Christian college in Indiana. He said the confidence gained from social media will help his teaching career.

"Now that this has all happened, it's more about the fact that I can go on after social media is over and know that I affected that many people in a positive way," Stickney said.

He said the support he has received on TikTok in recent months has been surreal. He receives compliments on his personality, his music taste, and his "willingness to be myself in front of this many people."

"It's just so validating," he said.

Stickney said his personality doesn't always mesh well with others because of his "raw" nature, but TikTok became a home for him to find a community that appreciates his sense of humor.

"It's all support, and so it's just so overwhelming to see this many people be this strongly affected," Stickney said.

It's a common misconception that — through ads and brand deals — a large social media following always comes with a large check. While some creators do rely on income from social media content, a survey from Influencer Marketing Hub showed that more than 48% of creators make less than $15,000 a year.

Stickney said he makes about "enough to pay for dinner."

Stickney's account mostly consists of videos of him dancing and making facial expressions inside a Spongebob-themed bathroom. Stickney told BI that he didn't expect to find success when he started posting regularly in November, but he decided to keep making posts after seeing how much attention they were getting.

"I posted one dancing video in my bathroom to a SpongeBob song, exactly how I do now, and threw up the rock finger gesture where, like the pinky and the pointer finger, and people loved it," Stickney said.

When asked if he is a SpongeBob fan, Stickney said, "No, that's the best part."

Stickney said his father — a community artist — painted the bathroom for him and his sister when they were kids and "apparently had an obsession with Spongebob."

"I love the show, but I'm not, like, this fanatic about SpongeBob that everybody assumes I am with this bathroom," Stickney said.