Billboard.com
The first major ceremony of Grammy Sunday is getting a theatrical twist. Darren Criss, a first-time Grammy nominee with a résumé that already spans Broadway, television, and film, has been selected to both host and perform at the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, the daytime event where most of the year’s trophies are handed out before the prime-time broadcast begins.
The ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on February 1st and will stream live online, serving as the official kick-off to the evening’s main show. For Criss, the role is a natural progression of a year that has already been packed with milestones. The creative is coming off a major awards season run for the Broadway hit “Maybe Happy Ending,” where he not only starred but also helped organize the production as a producer. The show dominated the Tony Awards earlier this year, and its cast recording is now in the Grammy race as well.
At the Premiere Ceremony, he’ll share the stage with “Maybe Happy Ending” co-star Helen J. Shen for a performance tied to the production, bringing a bit of Broadway energy into a day usually defined by rapid-fire award presentations and showcases of pop.
Musically, the event is shaping up to be as diverse as the Grammys themselves. The opening stretch will spotlight a mix of current nominees, including Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Lila Iké, Maggie Rose, and Trombone Shorty, while additional performances are on the slate from artists like Spiritbox, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Zara Larsson. The lineup reflects the full-genre range that typically defines the Premiere Ceremony, where gospel, rock, pop, jazz, and roots music often share the same bill.
The presenter roster is equally wide-ranging, featuring names like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dave Koz, Edgar Barrera, Sierra Hull, Trombone Shorty, and legacy producer Jimmy Jam, among others. Recording Academy leadership will open the show with remarks before the awards begin rolling out at a quick pace.
Once the final daytime awards are handed out, the focus will shift a few blocks away to the main Grammys broadcast at Crypto.com Arena. But for many artists, the Premiere Ceremony remains the heart of the day, and this year, with Criss in the spotlight, it’s set to feel more like a show in its own right than ever before.
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