- - Grammys Executive Producer Says Justin Bieber's Stripped-Down Stage Look Wasn't Planned Until Performance

Michelle LeeFebruary 5, 2026 at 4:31 AM

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Justin Bieber performing at the 2026 Grammys

Kevin Winter/Getty

Grammys executive producer Ben Winston shared insight on Justin Bieber's headline-making performance during the 2026 Grammys on Feb. 1

During his episode of the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast released on Feb. 2, Winston said that Bieber's stripped-down look wasn't planned

Bieber, who was nominated in four categories, performed "Yukon" shirtless and in boxer shorts

Justin Bieber's swag made a mark at the 2026 Grammys, but that wasn't his intention.

On Feb. 1, the singer, 31, returned to music's biggest night after a four-year hiatus, and his performance broke the internet with its stripped-down nature in all senses of the word.

Following his red carpet appearance with wife Hailey Bieber earlier in the night, the two-time Grammy winner took the stage in nothing but custom satin boxers made by his fashion brand SKYLRK (which means his abs and tattoos — including a new one potentially dedicated to Hailey — were on display).

Though shocking, Grammys executive producer Ben Winston revealed that the outfit wasn't entirely planned. "I don’t think he decided what the outfit would be until he walked on stage," he said on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast.

Justin Bieber wearing SKYLRK onstage at the Grammys

Kevin Winter/Getty

Winston owed it to the musician's effortless level of cool. "...He's not even really going, 'This is what I'm going to do,' " he said, adding of Bieber, "When we had got reached out to him about his creative, he was just like, I'm just going to get on stage and sing."

Bieber was equally laid-back in the moments leading up to his performance of "Yukon." According to Winston, he only took up 15 minutes of his 90-minute rehearsal.

“It was brilliant. We are seven minutes into his hour-and-a-half rehearsal. And he goes, ‘How’d it look to you? You happy with it?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, my God. It looked beautiful. I loved it.’ And he went, ‘OK, fantastic. See you Sunday!' " Winston said on the podcast. Bieber only ran through his act a second time after a request from Winston, who wanted to make sure the camera operators were set to go.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber on the 2026 Grammys red carpet

Brianna Bryson/WireImage

Winston said he really wanted Bieber on the show because he thinks his new album, Swag, is spectacular. On Bieber's Grammys comeback, he added, "It was what he wanted to do. It was all him. It was a career-defining moment for him. It was so different to what we've seen over the years."

This year, Bieber was nominated for four awards: Album of the Year (SWAG), Best Pop Vocal Album (SWAG), Best Pop Solo Performance ("Daises") and Best R&B Performance ("Yukon").

He's previously won Best Country Duo/Group Performance ("10,000 Hours") and Best Dance Recording ("Where Are Ü Now").

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”