Justin Bieber’s long-awaited return to the Grammy stage has sparked immediate debate online, with fans and critics reacting strongly to his decision to perform only in boxers, socks and gym shorts at the 2026 ceremony.
The pop star performed her song Yukon Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, marking her first Grammy performance in four years.
Although the sleek setting and emotional performance drew attention, it was Bieber’s outfit choice that quickly became the most talked about moment of the evening, leaving many viewers confused and divided.
Several social media users wondered if the singer understood the seriousness of the event.
One critic wrote, “Justin, it’s the Grammys and not the beach…this is just embarrassing,” while another reacted more emotionally, saying, “This is really sad. This man is calling for help and no one notices.”
A third viewer argued that the performance itself was overshadowed, writing: “YUKON is arguably the best R&B track Justin has released in a decade, but no one’s talking about the singing because he decided to turn his performance into a locker room shoot.
Another comment added: “He actually wore a suit to the Grammys and stripped down to perform. Sad to see how broken he is.”
But not all reactions have been negative.
Many fans defended the singer, praising both his voice and what they considered a raw and honest performance.
One TikTok user wrote: “There’s a huge message behind the mirror and he’s vulnerable,” while another added: “He looks so healthy and his voice sounds hydrated.” »
A third fan focused on the intimacy of the moment, saying: “Obsessed with this performance, it might have been one of the only times he’s performed where everyone wasn’t screaming his song, he’s finally singing to us.”
Justin Bieber marries Hailey at the 2026 Grammys
During the performance, cameras briefly filmed Hailey Bieber, who looked visibly proud as she watched her husband sing.
The couple walked the red carpet together earlier in the evening in matching “Ice Out” outfits. Bieber previously shared this Yukon was written about his wife, adding another emotional layer to the whole thing.
Did Justin Bieber win a 2026 Grammy?
Despite his high-profile appearance, Bieber did not win any awards at the 2026 Grammys.
He entered the evening with four nominations linked to his 2025 album Garland and its singles but was excluded in all categories.
Garland lost album of the year to Bad Bunny’s Debi Tirar More photoswhile best pop vocal album went to Lady Gaga. Mayhem.
His song Daisies lost best pop solo performance to Lola Young MessyAnd Yukon was eliminated from Best R&B Performance by Kehlani’s Folded.
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 is set to make a major return to the festival circuit. He earlier announced he would headline Coachella for the first time in 2026, performing April 11 and 18 in Indio, California.
He shared the festival lineup on X, confirming his place alongside fellow first-time headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and Anyma.
Whether hailed as brave or criticized as confusing, Bieber’s performance at the Grammys ensured one thing: His return to the spotlight is once again impossible to ignore.
