Trevor Noah’s Grammy Gaffe: When Jokes Miss the Mark

Trevor Noah’s skills as host of the 2025 Grammy Awards on Sunday, 2 February, has landed him in hot water following a string of controversial jokes.

While the evening began with a heartfelt tribute to the Los Angeles wildfire victims in California, the tone quickly shifted as Noah’s quips took aim at immigrants, Shakira and even Taylor Swift.

His comment about the Grammy voting process including “20 million illegal immigrants” drew sharp criticism, particularly as immigration protests were happening nearby. Meanwhile, his joke about Shakira being the best thing from Colombia “that isn’t a Class-A felony” was slammed as offensive, given the country’s struggles with crime.

Social media erupted, with users branding the jokes tone-deaf and insensitive. Many pointed out the irony of the former “Daily Show” host — a naturalised American citizen and immigrant himself — mocking those facing deportation. Rapper Doechii can be seen rolling her eyes in one widely-shared clip, while others called for him to “do better”.

Despite the backlash, the night also featured charity fundraising for wildfire relief and standout performances from Billie Eilish, John Legend and Sheryl Crow.

However, for many, Noah’s jokes overshadowed the music, proving that comedy — much like music — doesn’t always hit the right note.

Image Credit: Source