Justin Bieber’s long-awaited return to the Grammys stage sparked immediate debate online, with fans and critics alike reacting strongly to his decision to perform in only boxers, socks, and gym shorts at the 2026 ceremony.
The pop star performed her song. Yukon on Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, marking his first Grammys performance in four years.
While the simple setting and emotional delivery drew attention, it was Bieber’s outfit choice that quickly became the most talked about moment of the night, leaving many viewers confused and divided.
Several social media users questioned whether the singer understood the seriousness of the occasion.
One critic wrote, “Justin, this is the Grammys and not the beach… it’s just embarrassing,” while another reacted more emotionally, saying, “This is really sad. This man is asking for help and no one notices.”
A third viewer argued that the performance itself was overshadowed, writing: “YUKON It’s possibly the best R&B song Justin has released in a decade, but no one is talking about the vocals because he decided to turn his performance into a locker room session.”
Another comment added: “He actually wore a suit to the Grammys and stripped down to his underwear to perform. It’s sad to see how broken he is.”
Still, not all reactions were negative.
Many fans defended the singer, praising both his voice and what they saw as a raw and honest performance.
One TikTok user wrote: “There’s a huge message behind the mirror and it says he’s vulnerable,” while another added: “He looks very healthy and his voice sounds hydrated.”
A third fan focused on the intimacy of the moment, saying: “Obsessed with this performance, maybe it was one of the only times he performed where not everyone is shouting his song, he is finally singing to us.”
Justin Bieber’s wife, Hailey, at the 2026 Grammys
During the performance, cameras briefly cut to Hailey Bieber, who looked visibly proud as she watched her husband sing.
The couple had walked the red carpet together earlier that night in matching “Ice Out” outfits. Bieber has previously shared that Yukon was written about his wife, adding another emotional layer to the whole.
Did Justin Bieber win a 2026 Grammy?
Despite his high-profile appearance, Bieber did not take home any awards at the 2026 Grammys.
He entered the night with four nominations tied to his 2025 album Swag and his singles, but he was excluded in all categories.
Swag lost Album of the Year to Bad Bunny I should have taken more photoswhile the Best Pop Vocal Album went to Lady Gaga. Violence.
his song daisies lost Best Pop Solo Performance to Lola Young Messyand Yukon was eliminated from the award for Best R&B Performance by Kehlani’s Bent.
The Grammy moment comes as Bieber slowly returns to live performances after years of limited appearances.
Will Justin Bieber perform at Coachella 2026?
Looking ahead, Bieber will be making a major return to the festival circuit. He previously announced that he will headline Coachella for the first time in 2026, performing on April 11 and 18 in Indio, California.
She shared the festival lineup at X, confirming her place alongside fellow first-time headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and Anyma.
Whether praised as brave or criticized as confusing, Bieber’s Grammys performance ensured one thing: his return to the spotlight is once again impossible to ignore.
