Queen Latifah Officiates Mass Wedding at Grammys
Last night, during the 56th GRAMMY Awards Queen Latifah officiated over 30 gay and straight couples who were getting married during Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ performance of their hit single “Same Love.”
“When we say music has the power to bring people together at the Grammys, we mean it. One of the most inspiring success stories in music this past year has been Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, already four-time Grammy winners tonight,” Latifah said while introducing the duo. “This song is a love song, not for some of us, but for all of us and tonight we celebrate the commitment to love by some very beautiful couples.”
Sworn in as a temporary commissioner by the state of California, Latifah directed the historical and unexpected marriages in the middle of the performance.
“We are gathered here to celebrate love and harmony in every key, in every color. As I look out on this audience of tonight and to see the faces of 33 couples who have chosen this moment to celebrate their vows with us here in Los Angeles,” she said. “And everyone watching around the world as witnesses, it is my distinct honor to now ask our participants to exchange rings, to symbolize their commitment to one another. And to a life shared together with the music of love. Will you please exchange rings?”
Madonna followed the ceremony with a performance of her 1986 single, “Open Your Heart,” while the couples embraced each other with hugs, kisses and tears. Afterward, the newlyweds marched down the center aisle of the venue.
Watch the video below.
Glennisha Morgan serves as ELIXHER’s Entertainment Editor. She is the founder of The Fembassy (a blog site that is solely dedicated to women MCs), a multimedia journalist, photographer and filmmaker. During her career she has interviewed people like Russell Simmons, La La Anthony, MC Lyte, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Laverne Cox, and Marsha Ambrosius. In 2010, Glennisha was featured in BET’s first original music documentary, ‘My Mic Sounds Nice.’
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