My 1st Blog: Justin Bieber Runs Into Esperanza Spalding Backstage At The Grammys

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Justin Bieber Runs Into Esperanza Spalding Backstage At The Grammys

Plus: Nicki Minaj gets grabby with Snooki, Arcade Fire give high-fives and more from behind the scenes.
By James Montgomery

Esperanza Spalding and Justin Bieber
Photo: MTV News

LOS ANGELES — There was nothing left to do after his band shocked pretty much everyone by taking home Album of the Year for The Suburbs (and breaking into an elated performance of "Ready to Start" that closed the show), so Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler was just handing out high-fives.

Backstage at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards, on the way to the press room to share his feelings about winning the night's top prize, Butler was doling out the high-fives to startled members of the media, a permanent smile stretched across his face.

Equally as jovial — even though he lost Best New Artist to Esperanza Spalding — was Justin Bieber, who, after finishing an interview with MTV News, literally walked into Spalding backstage. But rather than be bitter, Bieber shook hands with the newly crowned Grammy winner, congratulating her on her victory.

It was a long day of those kinds of once-in-a-lifetime interactions at the Grammys, as the biggest stars in music packed into the Staples Center to honor their own. Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson embraced and laughed after the stirring tribute to Aretha Franklin that opened the show. Mumford & Sons huddled with their brass band minutes before sharing the stage with Bob Dylan, and Nicki Minaj was introduced to one of her "heroes," Cyndi Lauper.

Outside, on the Grammy red carpet, well, it was all about special MTV News correspondent (and "Jersey Shore" star) Snooki, who flirted with Bruno Mars, told Tyrese he was "hot" and informed R&B legend Ronald Isley matter-of-factly that he has "nice teeth."

Snooki told Hudson and Jennifer Lopez that they both looked fantastic and, when Lady Gaga arrived on the carpet inside her egg, not only did the Snookster shout that she "loved" Gaga, but LG returned the love, waving to her from inside the egg.

"I've seriously got chills!" Snooki enthused.

Elsewhere, Snooki let Minaj grab a handful of both her breasts, she pouted when Rihanna didn't walk the carpet, and, when Lil Wayne blew by, huge cigar in his mouth, she tried to stop him by shouting his name. He didn't hear her, and Snook was upset.

"That sucks," she sighed. "I love him."

It was, to be honest, probably the only low point of the entire day. That's how these things tend to go, especially when there are so many stars in such a small place. High-fives all around.

For Grammy Awards winners list, analysis, interviews, fashion and more, stick with MTV News during the big show and beyond.

Related Videos