Trevor Noah at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Picture: Instagram.
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles with our very own South African export, Trevor Noah marking his fifth straight year helming the ceremony.
The former “The Daily Show” host, who is known for his no-holds-barred comedy, found himself in hot water just minutes into his monologue.
But, what was meant to be all jokes, has left some viewers fuming, declaring that he's “not funny”.
Noah quickly hit a nerve with a joke about the Grammy voting process. “We're going to be honouring the best in music as voted on by the 13,000 members of the Recording Academy and 20 million illegal immigrants.”
Soon after Noah added that he's set to relish the evening because it “may be the last time I host anything in this country”.
American rapper, Doechii, who won Best Rap Album at the Grammys 2025 for “Alligator Bites Never Heal”, was seen rolling her eyes at the joke.
Doechii rolls her eyes at Trevor Noah’s Immigration joke #GRAMMYs
— Everything Doechii 🐊 (@EDoechii) February 3, 2025
📹 .@El_Poojy pic.twitter.com/qNBt29YnCG
On X, @OhBe_Won wrote: “Himself an immigrant, and considering there were a few jokes on the topic, the issue is clearly weighing on him. I’m not sure his effort to cope is resonating, though.”
Himself an immigrant, and considering there were a few jokes on the topic, the issue is clearly weighing on him. I’m not sure his effort to cope is resonating, though.
— OB (@OhBe_Won) February 3, 2025
@clutch2_j commented: “Everybody in that crowd was visibly annoyed by him 😬.”
Everybody in that crowd was visibly annoyed by him 😬
— J_CLUTCH2 (@clutch2_j) February 3, 2025
As if that weren't enough, Noah followed up with another cheeky remark, referencing Colombian singer Shakira.
“Shakira is in the house everybody, the greatest thing out of Colombia that isn't a Class A felony,” he joked.
With the new administration in the US ramping up its crackdown on illegal immigrants, many found Noah's timing to be poor.
Colombia is talent, culture, and resilience.
— José Caparroso (@JoseCaparroso) February 3, 2025
Shakira is one of many who make us shine worldwide.
No need for outdated, tone-deaf jokes.
Do better @Trevornoah! #GRAMMYs #Grammys2025
pic.twitter.com/NeV9gFq3Ji
Social media platform, X, erupted with reactions to express their outrage.
@hello_mayor said: ““Shakira! The only thing out of Colombia that’s not a class-a Felony” really bro? That’s comedy to you? @Trevornoah do better #Grammys2025.“
“Shakira! The only thing out of Colombia that’s not a class-a Felony” really bro? That’s comedy to you? @Trevornoah do better #Grammys2025 pic.twitter.com/M2b28bU7NT
— Erika (@hello_mayor) February 3, 2025
@JoseCaparroso wrote: “Colombia is talent, culture, and resilience. Shakira is one of many who make us shine worldwide. No need for outdated, tone-deaf jokes. Do better @Trevornoah ! #GRAMMYs #Grammys2025.”
Colombia is talent, culture, and resilience.
— José Caparroso (@JoseCaparroso) February 3, 2025
Shakira is one of many who make us shine worldwide.
No need for outdated, tone-deaf jokes.
Do better @Trevornoah! #GRAMMYs #Grammys2025
pic.twitter.com/NeV9gFq3Ji
Another netizen said: “Trevor Noah’s jokes were so distasteful and unnecessary [sic].”