The entertainment industry finds itself at a crossroads as awards season unfolds amid the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation measures in Minneapolis. Artists are increasingly confronted with the question of whether to participate in the burgeoning cultural resistance against these immigration policies.
The resistance was unmistakable at the Grammy Awards, both on the red carpet and during the ceremony itself. Over the preceding week, activists urged celebrities to wear pins protesting the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cities. These pins were distributed at various pre-ceremony events and coordinated with the stars’ teams to amplify their message.
Prominent figures like Billie Eilish, Finneas, and Carole King took the stage donning these pins. Even Justin and Hailey Bieber, typically reticent on American political issues, joined the movement. Eilish kicked off her speech for Song of the Year with a powerful statement: “No one is illegal on stolen land.” Meanwhile, Olivia Dean, the British soul-pop artist honored as Best New Artist, highlighted her lineage, noting her immigrant grandparents and calling for their celebration. Winners such as Kehlani did not hold back, openly cursing ICE in their acceptance speeches.
Bad Bunny, upon receiving the award for Best Música Urbana Album, delivered a stirring speech to a standing ovation. “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out,” he declared, met with thunderous applause. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.” He continued, emphasizing that “the hate gets more powerful with more hate,” advocating for love over animosity and urging the audience to remember the power of familial love in their fight.
This show of defiance was far more pronounced than what was observed at the previous month’s Golden Globes. The public’s outrage has intensified following incidents such as the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer and the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos by federal agents. Additionally, the recent arrest of journalist Don Lemon, who was present at the Grammy ceremony, has further fueled the public’s dissatisfaction.
The frequent pushback and buttons’ prevalence marked a much stronger showing of support than organizers saw at last month’s Golden Globes. Public backlash has grown since a Border Patrol officer shot and killed 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti and federal agents detained 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. The recent arrest of journalist Don Lemon, who attended Sunday’s ceremony, only added to the outcry.
Plus, as one organizer noted, the Grammys tend to draw a less risk-averse crowd than Hollywood’s shows.
“These are folks who are known for six-stage shows, crazy costumes, being kind of rebellious, punk rock – like that’s the music industry. And so, I think it makes sense that we would see good support,” Maremoto Executive Director Jess Morales Rocketto said ahead of the show. “These pins are about so much more than a red carpet moment. It’s about people taking a stand and doing what they can to show up to say that ICE should be out of our communities.”
Protest pins on the red carpet
Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens were among the other artists wearing protest apparel on the Grammys red carpet.
Justin Vernon, whose band Bon Iver is up for best alternative music album, said he wore a whistle to honor the legal observers who are documenting federal agents’ actions on the streets.
“I think there’s a reason that music exists and it’s to heal and to bring people together,” he told The Associated Press. “But the real work are those observers on the on the ground in Minneapolis. We just want to want to shout them out.”
Earlier in the week, Mexican American singer Becky G had an explicit message for ICE on the nails she wore to the MusiCares Person of the Year gala. And at the Sundance Film Festival, several celebrities wore pins saying “ICE OUT” during their red carpet appearances, including Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde and Zoey Deutch, who also wore a “BE GOOD” pin, referencing Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE officer last month.
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Wilde told the AP that she was “horrified by this string of murders that we are somehow legitimizing and normalizing.”
“It’s really difficult to be here and to be celebrating something so joyous and beautiful and positive when we know what’s happening on the streets,” she added. “Americans are out on the streets marching and demanding justice, and we’re there with them. And if we can do anything with our platforms, you know, we can speak out and demand that ICE get out.”
Portman got emotional when asked about her “ICE OUT” pin at the premiere of her new film, “The Gallerist.”
“I’m so lucky to be here in a joyful, creative community celebrating a movie we’re really proud of. But it’s impossible to ignore what ICE is doing to our country. And I’m very inspired, though, by all of the amazing, amazing Americans who are coming out and supporting each other and being there in communities. It’s beautiful,” the actor said as she teared up.
Reasons celebrities may not speak out
As far as the Grammys go, Morales Rocketto, the community organizer who founded the Latino advocacy group Maremoto, said it’s “kind of a crapshoot” as to which entertainers actually wear the pins.
She described a range of industry forces working against artists’ political expression. Objections could come from record companies, managers or corporate partners.
“Maybe the design house that did their fashion deal for the red carpet didn’t want them to literally poke holes in the dress,” she said. “There’s like a million reasons for people not to do it.”
Artists might also face personal dangers themselves. Morales Rocketto pointed to the Trump administration’s threats to place ICE agents at the upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance by Bad Bunny, “one of the most invincible” entertainers in her view.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some Latino artists wearing them,” she said of the pins. “But the reality is that just because Latino artists are rich and famous, doesn’t mean that they are exempt from the lack of safety that permeates so many Latinos and Latino families. They themselves may be undocumented or only have a green card or have mixed status families.”
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AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr and AP journalist Brooke Lefferts contributed reporting from Park City, Utah.
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