A resplendent Beyoncé ascended to her throne once more at the Grammys on Sunday night, where she took to the stage to perform two songs off of Lemonade—”Sandcastles” and “Love Drought”—while very pregnant with twins.
Beyoncé’s mom Tina Knowles introduced her daughter in a touching prelude to the performance, which ultimately served as ode to motherhood. Singing in all her glowing, expectant glory, the Queen incorporated the poetry of Warsan Shire and trippy digital projections of herself and her dancers into a mesmerizing all-woman show.
Grammys 2017: See Celebrities Hit the Red Carpet
Adele attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty ImagesLady Gaga attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesRihanna attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty ImagesKaty Perry attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty ImagesJennifer Lopez attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty ImagesHalsey attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images Chrissy Teigen and John Legend attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty ImagesLaverne Cox attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty ImagesCeeLo Green attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesParis Jackson attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty ImagesRick Ross attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty ImagesTaraji P. Henson attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Frazer Harrison—Getty ImagesChance the Rapper attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty ImagesLeon Bridges and Brittni Jessie attend the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Kevin Mazur—Getty ImagesNick Jonas attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty ImagesCharli XCX attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty ImagesSolange Knowles attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty ImagesFaith Hill and Tim McGraw attend The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty ImagesSkrillex attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images Celine Dion attends the 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty ImagesDesiigner attends The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center, on Feb. 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.Lester Cohen—Getty ImagesDrew Taggart and
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“Your mother is a woman, and women like her cannot be contained,” went the poetry as Beyoncé showcased her growing belly. Decked out in a gold glittering gown and dramatic headdress, the regal star—who’s generally known for her athletic dancing—instead chose to keep it relatively sedate for the evening with “Love Drought” and “Sandcastles,” powerful downtempo songs about love, heartbreak, and healing. At the end of the songs, she thanked the audience, which had risen to its feet in a standing ovation—Blue Ivy and Jay Z included.
She’s nominated for nine awards, the most of any artist this year.
