Justin Bieber’s long-awaited return to the Grammys stage sparked immediate debate online, with fans and critics alike reacting strongly to his decision to appear in nothing but boxers, socks and gym shorts at the 2026 ceremony.
The pop star performed her song Yukon on Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, marking his first Grammy performance in four years.
While the stripped down set and emotional delivery drew attention, it was Bieber’s outfit choice that quickly became the most talked about moment of the night, leaving many viewers confused and divided.
Several social media users questioned whether the singer understood the seriousness of the occasion.
One critic wrote: “Justin, this is the Grammys and not the beach… just embarrassing,” while another reacted more emotionally, saying: “This is actually sad. This man is crying out for help and no one is noticing.”
A third viewer claimed that the performance itself was overshadowed, writing: “YUKON is arguably the best R&B track Justin has released in a decade, but nobody’s talking about the vocals because he decided to turn his performance into a dressing room.
Another commenter added: “He actually wore a suit to the Grammys and stripped down to his underwear to perform. Sad to see how heartbroken he is.”
Still, not all reactions were negative.
Many fans defended the singer, praising both his vocals and what they saw as a raw, honest performance.
One TikTok user wrote: “There’s a huge message behind the mirror and that 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 was maybe one of the only times he’s performed that not everyone is screaming his song, he’s finally singing for us.”
Justin Bieber’s wife Hailey at the 2026 Grammys
During the performance, cameras cut briefly to Hailey Bieber, who appeared visibly proud as she watched her husband sing.
The pair had earlier that evening walked the red carpet together in matching “Ice Out” outfits. Bieber has previously shared that Yukon was written about his wife, adding another emotional layer to the set.
Did Justin Bieber win a Grammy 2026?
Despite the high-profile appearance, Bieber did not take home any awards at the 2026 Grammys.
He entered the night with four nominations tied for his 2025 album Swag and its singles, but were shut out in all categories.
Swag lost Album of the Year to Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Má’s photoswhile Best Pop Vocal Album went to Lady Gaga’s Chaos.
His song Daisies lost Best Pop Solo Performance to Lola Youngs Messyand Yukon was left out of Best R&B Performance by Kehlani’s Folded.
The Grammy moment comes as Bieber slowly returns to live performances after years of limited performances.
Will Justin Bieber Perform at Coachella 2026?
Looking ahead, Bieber is set to make a big return to the festival circuit. He previously announced that he will headline Coachella for the first time in 2026, performing on April 11 and April 18 in Indio, California.
He shared the festival’s lineup at X, confirming his place alongside fellow first-time headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G and Anyma.
Whether it was praised as brave or criticized as confusing, Bieber’s Grammys performance ensured one thing, his return to the spotlight is once again impossible to ignore.
