Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur
Content warning: This post contains imagery related to war.
John Legend took to the Grammys stage to stand with the people of Ukraine amid the war with Russia. During the award ceremony on April 3, the 12-time Grammy winner performed his new song, "Free," for the first time while playing the piano. He was joined on stage by musician Siuzanna Iglidan, who's from Odesa, Ukraine; singer Mika Newton, who's from Burstyn, Ukraine; and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk, who fled Ukraine and her home town in Donbas just days prior. It was a beautiful performance, which received a standing ovation from the crowd and finished with a message on the screen directing viewers to a donation page.
Prior to the performance, Legend was introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who shared a prerecorded message about the current state of his country and how important it is to speak out about the war.
Content warning: This post contains imagery related to war.
John Legend took to the Grammys stage to stand with the people of Ukraine amid the war with Russia. During the award ceremony on April 3, the 12-time Grammy winner performed his new song, "Free," for the first time while playing the piano. He was joined on stage by musician Siuzanna Iglidan, who's from Odesa, Ukraine; singer Mika Newton, who's from Burstyn, Ukraine; and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk, who fled Ukraine and her home town in Donbas just days prior. It was a beautiful performance, which received a standing ovation from the crowd and finished with a message on the screen directing viewers to a donation page.
Prior to the performance, Legend was introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who shared a prerecorded message about the current state of his country and how important it is to speak out about the war.
- 4/4/2022
- by Perri Konecky
- Popsugar.com
Volodymyr Zelenskyy Implores People ‘Tell the Truth About This War’ in Taped Grammys Address (Video)
The recording academy did what the film academy didn’t during the Grammy Awards on Sunday: a pre-taped address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who implored the audience to “tell the truth about this war” and painted a stark portrait of what like is like for Ukrainians under the continuing invasion by Russian forces.
“The war. What is more opposite to music? The silence of ruined cities and killed people. Our children draw smoking rockets, not shooting stars. Over 400 children have been injured and 153 children died,” Zelenskyy said.
“And we’ll never see them drawing. Our parents are happy to wake up in the morning in bomb shelters. But alive,” he continued. “Our loved ones don’t know if we will be together again. The war doesn’t let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence.”
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded.
“The war. What is more opposite to music? The silence of ruined cities and killed people. Our children draw smoking rockets, not shooting stars. Over 400 children have been injured and 153 children died,” Zelenskyy said.
“And we’ll never see them drawing. Our parents are happy to wake up in the morning in bomb shelters. But alive,” he continued. “Our loved ones don’t know if we will be together again. The war doesn’t let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence.”
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded.
- 4/4/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
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