Grammy Awards 2025: Beyoncé wins best country album

A stunned expression shot across Beyoncé's face as her latest record, Cowboy Carter, was named best country album at the 67th Grammy Awards.

In a moment laced with symbolism, the award was announced by Taylor Swift - another artist who has successfully switched genres - and who is Beyoncé's competition for the night's main prize, album of the year.

"Wow, I really was not expecting this," said the star, thanking "all of the incredible country artists" who had voted for the prize.

The recognition came five months after Beyoncé was snubbed at the Country Music Awards - even after she became the first black woman to have a number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart, with Texas Hold 'Em.

That song is also nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammys, where Beyoncé faces competition from the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar and Chappell Roan.

That category also features The Beatles, nominated for Now And Then - the track they reassembled from an old John Lennon demo in 2023.

The song has already won best rock performance in an early "premiere ceremony", where the bulk of the Grammys' 94 awards are handed out.

The main ceremony, at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, is doubling up as a fund-raiser for people affected by the ferocious wildfires that swept the city last month.

The show opened with a special performance by the local band Dawes, whose homes were destroyed in the inferno, playing Randy Newman's classic song I Love LA.

Later, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars delivered a rousing version of California Dreamin', originally by The Mamas & Papas, dedicated to the first responders who helped tackle the fires.

Comedian Trevor Noah, who is hosting the show, admitted that "just a few weeks ago, we weren't sure that this show would even happen".

"Thankfully, due to the heroic efforts of firefighters, the fires have now been contained, and despite all the devastation, the spirit of the city has emerged," he added, to generous applause.

Squads of firefighters were invited to the awards to honour their efforts; and they walked the red carpet taking selfies with the biggest stars in music.

Los Angeles native Billie Eilsh was the second artist on stage, playing her award-nominated song Birds Of A Feather against a backdrop inspired by California's natural beauty.

"I love you LA," she said as the music ended.

Noah later joked that winners whose speeches ran longer than one-and-a-half minutes would be forced to donate $1,000 for every extra second they spoke.