Bad Bunny Calls Out ICE During Grammy's Speech: Here Are Other Stars With Similar Sentiments During Awards Show

The Grammy Awards this year turned into a political hotspot as stars lined up and used their voices to make sure their message, which was 'ICE Out,' was loud and clear to the world. And one artist who did it in the boldest way was Album of the Year winner Bad Bunny.

Bad Bunny, who was visibly moved and surprised by the win, took the opportunity of being on the podium to speak about the grim situation of ICE activities going on in the US right now. 'Before I say thanks to God,' he told the room, pausing as the crowd leaned in, 'I'm going to say: ICE out.'

Speaking in both Spanish and English, Bad Bunny addressed immigration enforcement directly, pushing back against rhetoric he said dehumanises migrants. 'We're not savage. We're not animals. We're not aliens,' he said. 'We are humans and we are Americans.'

For Bad Bunny—who has long woven Puerto Rican identity, diaspora, and politics into his work—the moment felt consistent with his public stance, especially with a Super Bowl halftime appearance looming just days away. And he wasn't alone.

Kehlani: Making It Explicit

If Bad Bunny's message was measured and emotional, Kehlani's was blunt. After winning Best R&B Performance, the singer closed her remarks with a clear denunciation of ICE, language that was partially bleeped during the broadcast but spread rapidly online.

On the red carpet, Kehlani confirmed the intent. 'I really wanted to say it,' she told reporters, gesturing to her 'ICE OUT' pin.

The artist has been outspoken about immigration and state violence for years, but the Grammys marked one of her most direct moments on a mainstream broadcast.

Billie Eilish and Finneas Spoke Their Truth

As the talented brother-sister duo came to the stage to win their Song of the Year trophy for their hit song WILDFLOWER, Billie Eilish used the podium to speak at length.

'As grateful as I feel, I honestly don't feel like I need to say anything, but that no one is illegal on stolen land,' Eilish said. 'It's just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now. I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting, speaking up, and protesting. Our voices really do matter, and the people matter,' the 24-year-old singer added.

She and her brother, Finneas, wore 'ICE OUT' pins and used red carpet interviews to encourage peers to speak up.

Behind the scenes, Eilish amplified the message further, sharing posts that criticised immigration enforcement and framing the issue as one of basic human rights.

A Sea of Pins on the Red Carpet

The Grammys red carpet became a quiet protest in itself. Dozens of artists arrived wearing 'ICE OUT' or 'BE GOOD' pins—symbols tied to victims of recent enforcement actions and organised by activist groups working with civil rights organisations.

Among those wearing the pins were Justin and Hailey Bieber, Joni Mitchell, Samara Joy, Margo Price, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, Carole King, Jason Isbell, and Rhiannon Giddens. Some spoke briefly to reporters about the meaning behind the accessories; others let the symbols speak for them.

By the end of the night, the ceremony became one of the most overtly political Grammy broadcasts in years.

Olivia Dean, Gloria Estefan, and Broader Onstage Support

British singer and the recipient of Best New Artist, Olivia Dean, used her moment to reference her family's immigrant roots and the responsibility she feels to protect vulnerable communities.

Gloria Estefan and Shaboozey were also cited among performers who voiced support for immigrant rights during the ceremony, reinforcing that the sentiment crossed genres and generations.

Hence, the Grammys were part of a larger pattern. At the 2025 Emmy Awards, Hacks star Hannah Einbinder ended her speech with a bleeped but unmistakable condemnation of ICE, but she later doubled down online.

Just weeks before the Grammys, the 2026 Golden Globes saw actors including Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Jean Smart, Natasha Lyonne, and Tessa Thompson wearing similar pins and speaking out during interviews.