Having won 15 herself, Alicia Keys is no stranger at the Grammys. This year however, the singer will claim a new role, ending James Corden’s two-year stint as host of the awards show.
The announcement came via the Grammys official Twitter page on January 15, with a post that read: “IT’S OFFICIAL! 15-time GRAMMY winner @AliciaKeys will host the 61st GRAMMYs, marking her first time as master of ceremonies for Music’s Biggest Night.”
IT'S OFFICIAL! 15-time GRAMMY winner @AliciaKeys will host the 61st #GRAMMYs, marking her first time as master of ceremonies for Music's Biggest Night. pic.twitter.com/DsgsYqDNej
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) January 15, 2019
“I’m going to host the Grammys, you heard it. I know what it feels like to be on that stage,” Keys said in a video post.
“I just feel grateful that I’m able to bring that light, that energy. I’m feeling excited, I feel really good about it.
“I feel that it’s the perfect opportunity to give that light back, especially to all the young women nominated. To me it feels like sister vibes,” she added.
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Unfortunately, not all of the musician’s fans have shared her excitement.
In a video the star shared on social media, Keys can be seen revealing the big news to her two young boys, Egypt and Genesis.
Following a long silence, a confused Egypt, 8, says: “What’s the Grammys?”
Keys captioned the video: “Egy and Gen want to know what the #GRAMMYS are ???”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsrDxqiA9LB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Last April, Keys was honored at Variety’s Power of Women event in New York, after co-launching Keep a Child Alive—a nonprofit aimed at combating HIV. Using her acceptance speech, the singer spoke out about the inequality that women face in the workplace and in the world, reiterating this message at the 2018 Grammy Awards.
“Look at all the action that’s around us: women running for office in record numbers, women banding together in the entertainment industry, women demanding an end to disparity in the music industry like equal representation on the Grammy stage,” she said.
“We were told we need to step up. Well, you feel that step up now?”
Keys will indeed be stepping up as the first female host of the show since Queen Latifah took on the role in 2005. She will be at the forefront of a year that includes a considerably larger number of female nominees.
“I’m especially excited for all the incredible women nominated this year! It’s going “UP” on February 10!”
The 2019 Grammy Awards will take place at the Staples Centre on February 10 in Los Angeles.
