CNN
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Ben Winston, the seemingly unflappable Brit chargeable for producing the displays, dwell performances and stadium filled with stars on the Grammy Awards, is ready for the sudden on Sunday evening.
“You by no means know what’s going to occur on a dwell present,” Winston advised CNN in an interview this week. “With that many performances, that many stars, that many awards, something can occur. And that’s why, I feel, it’s a very enjoyable watch.”
Final 12 months, the notorious site visitors of Los Angeles triggered artists like Beyoncé and Unhealthy Bunny to run late, practically derailing plans for the telecast. This 12 months, a extreme Southern California rainstorm may pose issues for expertise arrivals. However no matter occurs, Winston, who’s producing the occasion for a fourth time, and his group mentioned they’re able to roll with the punches.
“The stress of this present within the lead up is dangerous sufficient after which sadly artists don’t all the time make it on time,” Winston mentioned with fun. “You by no means know what’s going to occur on this present. In a room filled with that many stars, you type of don’t know.”
Heading into Sunday’s ceremony, SZA leads in nominations with 9, together with album of the 12 months. Different large nominees embody Victoria Monet, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift, who stands to make historical past.
Swift is tied with Barbra Streisand for probably the most all-time nominations by a feminine artist within the album of the 12 months class together with her nod for “Midnights.” She’s gained the class thrice beforehand, tied with music legends Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Marvel.
“If she had been to win this 12 months’s album, that’s the primary time anybody has gained 4, so it might be a very important evening,” Winston mentioned. “She’ll be a giant a part of it, simply as she all the time is, dancing within the viewers and the like.”
Swift, nonetheless, gained’t be attending with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs participant Travis Kelce, who recently said that he’ll should miss out attending the Grammys in individual as a result of he will likely be at observe for the Tremendous Bowl, which airs the next Sunday, additionally on CBS.
“They’re each large nights. What an excellent couple of weeks it might be if she wins Grammys and the Chiefs win the Tremendous Bowl,” Winston mentioned. “She’s undoubtedly successful proper now and deservedly so.”
Some viewers could also be hoping they’ll see Swift take the stage to sing, however no efficiency has been introduced, as of but. Winston mentioned they deliberately maintain a few of their plans underneath wraps.
“It’s about creating suspense for the present,” he defined.
Confirmed performers embody Billy Joel, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, who Winston revealed will sing her hit track “Dance the Night time” from the “Barbie” film, and extra. Joni Mitchell will carry out on the Grammys for the primary time ever, whereas Tracy Chapman will return to sing “Quick Automobile” with Luke Combs, a track she closed the present with in 1989. U2 at The Sphere can be on the lineup, marking the primary time a tv present will broadcast from the venue in Las Vegas.
A particular, prolonged in-memoriam tribute is deliberate, Winston revealed. The performances to honor late recording artists like Tina Turner, Tony Bennett and Sinead O’Connor will span a powerful 16 minutes and forgo industrial breaks.
The chief producer additionally teased that the ultimate presenter of the evening will likely be a significant second.
“They’re an absolute world icon. I feel jaws will drop to the ground. Individuals will likely be on their ft,” he mentioned “The one situation they gave is that it was a shock.”
The 66th Grammy Awards will air Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and stream on Paramount+.