Los Angeles - In a groundbreaking moment for K-Pop, Rosé of BLACKPINK opened the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1st, 2026, marking the first time a K-Pop soloist has ever performed on the prestigious stage. The singer, known for her captivating vocals and charismatic stage presence, shared the spotlight with Bruno Mars, delivering an electrifying rendition of their hit song "APT.".
The performance was met with thunderous applause and immediately became a trending topic worldwide, solidifying Rosé's position as a global pop icon. Rosé sported a platinum blonde hairstyle and a tie, channeling a pop-punk Gwen Stefani. Mars, on electric guitar, added his signature flair to the performance. The collaboration, already a global smash, was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Trevor Noah, hosting the Grammy Awards for the sixth and final time, followed the opening act with a speech that celebrated the diverse talent nominated this year, injecting humor with jokes about some of the nominees. Sabrina Carpenter followed with a performance of "Manchild".
Rosé's journey to the Grammy stage has been paved with dedication and a clear vision. In an interview with Vogue in October 2024, she revealed that "APT" was initially inspired by a drinking game during a studio session. She almost scrapped the song, deeming it "too unserious," but decided to finish it after her team became obsessed with it. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars came about after meeting him at a concert in Seoul.
This performance also highlights the growing influence of K-Pop on the global music scene. Previously, KPop Demon Hunters won song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony. BTS previously appeared on the Grammy stage in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The 68th Grammy Awards also showcased other groundbreaking moments, including Steven Spielberg achieving EGOT status after winning his first Grammy for "Music for John Williams". Olivia Dean won Best New Artist.
The event was broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+.