Trevor Noah brought sharp humour, celebrity banter and a few political nudges to the Grammy Awards during what he confirmed was his final time hosting the ceremony, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles this week.
The comedian and former Daily Show host used his opening monologue to roast famous faces in the room, and one who wasn’t there at all, Nicki Minaj.
The moment mattered because it showed how Trevor Noah continues to balance comedy, politics and pop culture, even as he steps away from one of the biggest hosting roles in global entertainment.
UK viewers, music fans and media watchers were all tuned in to see how he would bow out.
What did Trevor Noah say about Nicki Minaj at the Grammys?
During his opening monologue, Trevor Noah pointed out Nicki Minaj’s absence, pausing for effect before the audience responded with loud applause.
He then delivered the punchline: “Nicki Minaj is not here. She’s still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues.”
LMAOOO, Trevor Noah said Nicki Minaj isn’t at the #GRAMMYs because she’s busy at the White House discussing important issues, like trump’s big ass butt 😆😆😆 pic.twitter.com/XaNcyjWkFK
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) February 2, 2026
Noah followed this with a mock impersonation of US President Donald Trump, adding: “Actually, Nicki, I have the biggest ass, everybody’s saying it, Nicki.”
The joke referenced Minaj’s recent public praise of Trump, which has drawn attention online and divided fans. Noah kept the tone playful, avoiding a deep political dive while still landing a topical hit.
Why was this Trevor Noah’s final time hosting the Grammys?
This year marked Trevor Noah’s sixth time hosting the Grammy Awards, making him one of the most frequent hosts in the show’s history. He told viewers it would be his last, joking that he believes in “term limits”.
Only Andy Williams, who hosted seven times during the 1970s, has hosted more often. Noah has fronted the ceremony every year since 2021, earning praise for keeping the tone light during usually tense cultural moments.
For UK audiences, Noah’s exit closes a chapter on a host widely seen as calm, witty and globally minded, especially appealing to viewers outside the US.
How political was Trevor Noah’s final Grammy monologue?
Compared with previous years, Noah largely avoided heavy politics. Despite several artists wearing “ICE OUT” badges, a protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he chose not to address immigration directly.
Instead, he slipped politics into a single historical joke about Lauryn Hill’s first Grammy performance since 1999, saying: “That was so long ago the president was in a sex scandal, everyone feared Y2K, and Diddy got arrested.”
The line drew laughs without dominating the room, reflecting Noah’s careful balance between commentary and entertainment.
Which stars did Trevor Noah interact with during the show?
True to form, Trevor Noah moved through the crowd, chatting with artists and delivering quick-fire jokes. Highlights included:
- Teddy Swims and Jelly Roll, whose face tattoos inspired a gag about trying to unlock each other’s phones using facial recognition
- A light exchange with Bad Bunny, where Noah joked about moving to Puerto Rico if life in the US became “unlivable”, prompting Bad Bunny to reply: “Puerto Rico is part of America.”
These moments reinforced Noah’s reputation as a host who keeps the night flowing without overshadowing the music.
Why did Trevor Noah praise Olivia Dean during the ceremony?
One of the most UK-relevant moments came when Trevor Noah praised British singer Olivia Dean, highlighting her stance against unfair ticket resale practices.
Dean previously secured partial refunds for fans after criticising inflated resale prices linked to platforms like Ticketmaster.
Noah summed it up with a punchline: “Because if the fans can’t afford tickets, we can’t have live music. And without concerts, how would we find out which CEOs are having affairs on the Jumbotron?”
The joke landed, but the message resonated, especially with UK fans regularly facing high ticket prices and resale mark-ups.
Did Trevor Noah receive a Grammy nomination himself?
Yes. Alongside hosting duties, Trevor Noah was also nominated in the Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording category for his children’s book Into The Uncut Grass.
He did not win, losing out to the Dalai Lama, but the nomination added another layer to his presence on the night. Noah is now a four-time Grammy nominee, underlining his crossover appeal beyond television.
