Grammy Awards – Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat and Billie Eilish lead red carpet arrivals

The Grammy Awards kick off later off this evening, with some of music’s biggest names hoping to be honoured at the 64th annual ceremony. Rapper Doja Cat, who is up for eight awards, was one of the first nominees to walk the red carpet ahead of the show

Some of the biggest names in showbiz have already begun to arrive at the 64th annual Grammy Awards.

Pop sensation Doja Cat – who recently threatened to quit music – and Orange is the New Black actress Laverne Cox were two of the early arrivals on the red carpet in Las Vegas.

Doja Cat – real name Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini – looked incredible as she posed up a storm for the cameras, ahead of finding out if she will be taking home any awards later this evening.

The American rapper is nominated for eight GRAMMY Awards: Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.

The Say So singer, 26, wowed onlookers in a striking turquoise gown and matching bag outside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Actress Laverne Cox also impressed on the red carpet, posing for the cameras in a chic black gown – with cheeky sheer panels showing of the star’s long legs.

First-time nominee Olivia Rodrigo, who dominated the charts last year, opted for a chic floor-length black dress and matching gloves for the star-studded outing.

The former Disney star has received seven nods from the Grammys, thanks to her debut album, Sour, and hits Drivers License, Déjà Vu and Good 4 u.

The 64th annual ceremony will be hosted by The Daily Show presenter Trevor Noah at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and feature an array of live performances and surprise guests.

However, five time nominee Kanye West was meant to be one of the performers but a representative confirmed he has been pulled from his planned performance, due to his “concerning online behaviour” in recent weeks.

West’s team revealed they had received a call from the organisers who informed that the rapper had “unfortunately” been removed from the line-up of performers.

But Sunday night’s ceremony will feature a tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, organisers have confirmed, following his death aged 50 last weekend.

The band were due to perform at the Grammys but pulled out after also scrapping all their upcoming tour dates “in light of the staggering loss”.

Among other acts that are scheduled to perform at this year’s event are Oscar-winner Eilish, Lil Nas X and Rodrigo.

K-pop megastars BTS, Jack Harlow, Brandi Carlile and award-winning country band Brothers Osbourne are also on the bill.

The Grammys will also feature a special segment raising awareness of the war in Ukraine.

The body did not say what form the segment would take but confirmed it would offer viewers a chance to “take action and contribute” to the global Stand Up For Ukraine campaign.

The event was originally scheduled to take place on January 31 in Los Angeles but was postponed as the Omicron variant spread in the US.

Multi-genre performer Jon Batiste has the most nominations with 11 but faces competition from the likes of Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.

Elsewhere, The Weeknd claimed three nominations despite saying last year he would not allow his label to submit his music in protest at the event’s controversial voting system.

In response to widespread criticism, the Recording Academy has made several major changes to the awards process, including the removal of controversial review committees.

The body said nominations for the general and genre fields would now be voted on by a majority of members rather than anonymous groups of experts from within the academy.

Critics had argued it left too much power in the hands of faceless and unaccountable committees.

Artists of colour have long said the system resulted in them missing out on the more prestigious categories.

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