Trevor Noah’s monologue sparks controversy at music’s biggest night

A seemingly lighthearted comment by Grammy host Trevor Noah about Colombian singer Shakira has ignited criticism amid heightened tensions over U.S. immigration policies. The South African comedian’s joke at the 2025 Grammy Awards has drawn sharp reactions from viewers and social media users, particularly given the current political climate surrounding Latin American immigration.

The controversial moment

During his opening monologue at his fifth Grammy hosting appearance, Noah referenced the three-time Grammy winner, saying: “Shakira is in the house. The greatest thing out of Colombia that isn’t a Class A felony.” The remark immediately sparked backlash on social media platforms.

Public reaction

Viewers quickly took to X/Twitter to express their disapproval, with many pointing out the insensitive timing given the current immigration crackdown. “We, the Colombian people, are sick of being treated like criminals #Grammys2025 @Trevornoah we are waiting for an apology,” one user posted.

Political context

The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time, as the Trump administration has recently announced executive orders targeting unlawful migrants in the U.S. The situation has been further complicated by recent diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Colombia over deportation flights.

Colombia-U.S. tensions

The incident follows a recent diplomatic standoff where Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially refused entry to U.S. military planes carrying deportees, leading to threats of “decisive retaliatory measures” from the Trump administration. Petro later agreed to accept civilian flights, stating, “We will receive our fellow citizens on civilian planes, without treating them like criminals.”

Noah, perhaps aware of the charged political atmosphere, also quipped during his monologue: “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, there’s been a few changes in Washington. I’m going to enjoy tonight, because this may be the last time I get to host anything in this country.”