Canadian pop star Justin Bieber made a dramatic return to the Grammy Awards stage on Sunday night, performing shirtless in an intimate and emotionally charged set that marked his first appearance at the ceremony in four years. The 31 year old singer delivered a stripped down rendition of his song Yukon at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Bieber appeared on stage wearing only grey boxers and matching socks, strumming an electric guitar while looping drum samples live. The minimalist performance featured no background graphics or elaborate stage design, focusing entirely on the artist and his vocals. The setup included only a mirror and basic musical equipment, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a home livestream rather than a major awards show production.
The performance represented a significant moment for the pop star, who last appeared at the Grammy Awards in 2022 when he performed Peaches alongside Daniel Caesar and Giveon at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held in Las Vegas on 3 April 2022. That performance featured Bieber in formal attire, contrasting sharply with his current stripped down approach.
From the audience, cameras repeatedly captured Bieber’s wife, Hailey Bieber, who attended her first Grammy ceremony since 2022. The 28 year old model was seen smiling, nodding to the music, and visibly supporting her husband throughout the performance. Hours earlier, the couple had walked the red carpet together wearing matching oversized tuxedos and ICE OUT pins, making the sudden wardrobe change even more striking.
Body language analyst Judi James, speaking to Daily Mail, described the performance as deeply vulnerable rather than performative. She noted Bieber’s posture signaled emotional exposure, from his slow walk to the stage to his hunched shoulders and closed stance. James observed that Bieber rarely made eye contact with the audience, often performing with his eyes closed or looking downward. She characterized the outfit choice as an act of honesty rather than attention seeking.
The performance comes after a three year hiatus from major live appearances. Bieber cancelled his Justice World Tour in 2023 following his diagnosis with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a neurological condition that affected his facial movement. In a statement posted to Instagram in September 2022, Bieber explained that exhaustion had overtaken him after performing at Rock in Rio festival in Brazil, prompting him to prioritize his health and take a break from touring.
Since stepping away from regular performances, Bieber has focused on family life. He and Hailey welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, in August 2024. The couple announced Jack’s arrival on Instagram with the caption WELCOME HOME JACK BLUES BIEBER. Host Trevor Noah acknowledged Bieber’s new role as a father during the ceremony, stating that better than any Grammy, Bieber had come back as a new dad.
Bieber received four nominations at the 2026 Grammy Awards. His album Swag, released in July 2025, was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. His single Daisies earned a nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance, while Yukon received a nod for Best R&B Performance. The album marked Bieber’s return to music after his health related hiatus and featured themes of fatherhood, faith, and personal transformation.
The performance also revealed a new large back tattoo depicting what appeared to be the head of a person with long hair inside a frame. Fans speculated the tattoo was either a portrait of Hailey or a religious figure, though Bieber has not publicly confirmed its meaning. The visible tattoo added to the vulnerable and personal nature of the performance.
Throughout his career, Bieber has earned 23 Grammy nominations and won two awards. He won Best Dance or Electronic Recording for Where Are U Now in 2016 and Best Country Duo or Group Performance for his collaboration with Dan and Shay on 10,000 Hours in 2021. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah, also featured historic wins including Bad Bunny taking home Album of the Year for the first Spanish language album to receive the honor.
