At a Glance
- Trevor Noah will host the 2026 Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, his sixth and final time emceeing music’s biggest night.
- Executive producer Ben Winston praised Noah as “the most phenomenal host” and called the run “truly spectacular.”
- Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar lead this year’s nominations with nine each.
- Why it matters: Noah’s departure ends a six-year streak that redefined the ceremony’s tone and reach.
Trevor Noah is preparing to pass the Grammy mic. The former Daily Show host will return to center stage for the 66th annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, broadcast live on CBS, but the occasion will also serve as his farewell as master of ceremonies.
The Final Bow
“I am beyond thrilled to welcome Trevor Noah back to host the Grammys for his sixth, and sadly, final time,” executive producer Ben Winston said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on January 13. “He’s been the most phenomenal host of the show. He’s so smart, so funny, and such a true fan of the artists and music.”
Winston, who has overseen the telecast since Noah’s first outing in 2021, added that the comedian’s impact has been “truly spectacular” and promised “one last time” of collective magic.
Noah’s representative declined to comment when contacted by Jordan M. Lewis.
A Fan First
The 41-year-old has never hidden his enthusiasm for the role. In a 2022 Billboard interview he explained:
> “I am 1,000 percent a fan, and what I love about the Grammys is that I become a fan of a new artist every single time. What many people don’t realize is how much work goes into the performances. Getting every single key right, every lighting cue perfect, choreographing all the moves between the cameras and the artists. You don’t truly appreciate it until you get behind the scenes, and I think that’s what makes me enjoy the show even more.”
That backstage curiosity, he said, turns the annual assignment into “the ultimate backstage pass.”
Live-TV Nerves
Despite the exhilaration, Noah has also voiced the pressure cooker of live television. During a 2024 appearance on CBS Mornings with Gayle King he admitted:
> “I don’t know what’s going to happen. So that’s what I love about the Grammys – it’s live, it’s happening, it’s on the fly.”
He described the experience as “nerve-wracking” yet addictive, crediting the unpredictability for keeping each ceremony fresh.
The 2026 Lineup
While Noah’s final monologue is months away, the nomination leaderboard is already stoking buzz. Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar top the list with nine nods apiece, positioning the February telecast for a potential showdown between pop spectacle and hip-hop poetry.
CBS will carry the ceremony live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, maintaining the network’s multi-year pact with the Recording Academy.
Six-Year Legacy
Noah’s streak began with the 63rd Grammys in March 2021, a pandemic-era ceremony that slashed attendance and amplified intimacy. His approachable humor and South-African-inflected perspective quickly became a hallmark, earning steady ratings and social-media traction.
Highlights across his tenure include:
- 2022: Silken quips about Kanye West’s absence while navigating a slate stacked with Jon Batiste, Olivia Rodrigo, and Silk Sonic.
- 2023: A surprise Harry Styles album-of-the-year win that Noah handled with trademark calm.
- 2024: A Taylor Swift super-bowl teaser that set Twitter ablaze moments after the broadcast.
- 2025: A viral opening number that roasted streaming royalties and AI-generated tracks.
Winston’s statement made clear the decision to end Noah’s run is mutual, framing the 2026 show as both celebration and send-off.
What Comes Next
The Recording Academy has not announced a succession plan. Speculation will likely swirl around past emcees such as James Corden or LL Cool J, yet no names have surfaced in official channels.
For now, attention turns to February’s performance roster and the final opportunity to watch Noah balance Grammy glee with comedic bite.
Key Takeaways
- Trevor Noah’s sixth Grammy hosting gig on Feb. 1, 2026 will be his last.
- Executive producer Ben Winston hailed Noah’s run as “truly spectacular.”
- Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar enter the night with nine nominations each.
- Noah’s fan-first ethos and live-wire energy redefined the ceremony’s tone since 2021.
- No replacement host has been named; CBS and the Recording Academy are expected to unveil plans after the 2026 telecast.
