Kim Petras Becomes First Out Transgender Woman to Triumph as Beyoncé Makes Grammy History

Beyoncé has won more Grammys than anyone else! That was widely seen as the biggest takeaway from last night's star-studded show, with Ms. Knowles collecting her 32nd trophy at this year's ceremony.

Beyoncé, now 41, picked up the Best Dance/Electronic Music Album Award for her latest, highly acclaimed meisterwerk, Renaissance.

Her total of 32 Grammys puts her one ahead of the previous record, held by the Hungarian-British conductor Georg Solti, who died in 1997.

"I'm trying not to be too emotional,” Beyonce said onstage, before launching into a long list of thank-yous. "I’m trying to just receive this night. I want to thank God for protecting me… I’d like to thank my uncle Johnny who is not here but he is here in spirit.

"I’d like to thank my parents, my father, my mother, for loving me, for pushing me. I’d like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful children who are watching at home."

Her album Renaissance draws on the history of LGBTQ dance music – a debt she acknowledged in her speech. "I’d like to thank the queer community,” she added, "you invented the genre."

The award was presented to Beyoncé by British TV host James Corden, who said it was an "honour" to be given the duty.

"We are witnessing history tonight," he said in anticipation, before the result was announced.

Beyoncé was also the recipient of awards for Best R&B Song, Best Dance/Electronic Recording and Best Traditional R&B Performance. The superstar arrived late to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and missed accepting one of her awards in person.

Meanwhile, Lizzo snaffled the Grammy for Record of the Year for her single 'About Damn Time'. She dedicated the prize to her lifelong hero Prince, with whom she also worked.

“We are good inherently,” Lizzo said through tears, in a speech that received a standing ovation. "And anybody at home who feels misunderstood or on the outside looking in, like I did, just stay true to yourself. I promise you, you will find people, you will attract people in your life who believe in you and support you.”

Former One Direction start Harry Styles was another big winner, triumphing over Adele and Coldplay for Best Pop Vocal Album. The award was presented to Styles by Jennifer Lopez.

"This album from start to finish has been the greatest experience of my life," Harry Styles said. "Thank you so much."

Adele was also in the winners’ enclosure, taking the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for her track 'Easy on Me'.

If Beyoncé’s win was historic, however, Sam Smith and Kim Petras went one better by winning the Grammy for Best Pop Duo Performance for their collaborative song ‘Unholy’. The win made Petras the first out transgender woman to win a Grammy, following Wendy Carlos in 1969 for 'Switched-On-Bach'.

“Sam,” she said addressing her singing partner Smith, "I love you so much and this song has been such an incredible journey for me."

It was a good night too for Kendrick Lamar, who won the Grammy for Best Rap Album, for Mr Morale & The Big Steppers.

"First and foremost,” he said in an emotional speech, "I want to thank my family for giving me the courage and vulnerability to share my truth with this album. I want to thank my fans for trusting me with these stories."

The Grammy for Best Country Album went to the legendary Willie Nelson for his superb record, A Beautiful Time.

Shania Twain, wearing a bright red wig, was there to present the award – and also accepted it on behalf of Nelson, 89, who couldn’t be there.

There was an element of sadness on the night as Christine McVie, Jeff Beck and Migos rapper Takeoff were remembered in the in Memorium section. Musical accompaniment here came from Kacey Musgraves, Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow and Quavo – who delivered a powerful rendition of his emotional song 'Without You', written as a tribute to his late nephew, who was fatally shot in November 2022.