Justin Bieber didn’t plan to perform in ‘underwear’ at the Grammys

Justin Bieber may have stolen the show at the just-concluded Grammys by performing in his boxer shorts, but reports suggest that wasn’t something that was planned.

The singer was nominated in 4 categories but did not win any awards. However, he managed to get tongues wagging with what appears to be some new ink from his wife, Hailey.

A body language expert has since shared that Justin Bieber’s behavior communicated a feeling of “vulnerability”, following a series of negative headlines for the singer.

Justin Bieber didn’t plan to perform in shorts

Justin Bieber delighted fans with a sonic performance of his song “Yukon” during the 2026 Grammy Awards held at the crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

However, the 31-year-old singer got tongues wagging as he stripped down to a pair of light purple custom satin boxers from his brand SKYLRK for the ensemble, teaming the casual look with a pair of angel socks.

Yet Grammys executive producer Ben Winston shared during his Monday appearance on the “Rolling Stone Music Now podcast” that Bieber hadn’t planned this and likely came to the conclusion as he took the stage.

“I don’t think he decided what his outfit was going to be before he went on stage,” Winston said, according to the newspaper. Daily Mail.

The music director went further to share that Bieber wanted to keep his performance simple and light because he wanted the focus to be on his music.

“He doesn’t even really say, ‘This is what I’m going to do.’ When we contacted him about it, he said, ‘I’m just going to go on stage and sing,'” Winston said.

The singer only rehearsed for 15 minutes

The performance marked Bieber’s first in four years at the Grammys, following a long string of disturbing headlines in recent years.

He was nominated in 4 categories, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for “Swag”, Best Pop Solo Performance for “Daisies” and Best R&B Performance for “Yukon”. However, he did not win any awards.

According to the outlet, Winston said Bieber had a “brilliant” rehearsal for just 15 minutes before his performance.

“We’re seven minutes into his hour-and-a-half rehearsal. And he says, ‘How did that sound to you? Are you happy with it?'” he said.

“And I was like, ‘Oh, my God. It was beautiful. I loved it.’ And he said, ‘Okay, fantastic.’ See you Sunday!’” Winston added.

Justin Bieber’s underwear performance sparked mixed reactions

The pop star’s underwear performance received mixed reactions from fans, with some praising him for his healthy looks and appearance.

One person noted: “Say what you want about Justin, but one thing you can’t say is that the boy can’t sing; his voice is out of this world.”

However, amid the praise, several criticized Bieber for his choice of outfit for his performance, with many pointing out how he arrived at the show fully clothed.

“He came dressed and played in his underwear. Poor guy is broke,” one person wrote on X.

Another said: “I liked his voice and the way he did his own beat, it was cool. Would have looked much better with clothes on.“

Singer acted vulnerable on stage, says body language expert

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As Bieber serenaded the crowd with “Yukon,” which he previously revealed was about his wife Hailey, the cameras turned to her and filmed her smiling with pride and satisfaction. Although he went home that night without any awards, Bieber earned 23 Grammy nominations during his career and walked away with 2 wins.

In recent years, he has sparked fears among fans about his health and has seemingly retreated from the public eye.

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that Bieber’s behavior portrayed “vulnerability” and that his “touching, stripped-down performance seemed indicative of emotion.”

“The main body language signal seemed to be that of vulnerability. Justin’s walk was a stroll, with his shoulders held in a self-protective position,” she explained. “When he stood alone on stage, he would adopt a fig leaf pose with his hands as part of a self-protection barrier ritual.”

The singer’s outfit wasn’t a fashion statement

James also pointed out that Bieber’s audience couldn’t see his eyes because he was “singing along with them looking down,” adding that his choice of boxer shorts added to the “appearance of vulnerability.”

“It wasn’t a boastful fashion statement,” she explained. “Many celebrities have walked the red carpet in varying stages of undress, but Justin didn’t use his underwear-wearing for bragging posing or to show off his pecs and tattoos in a peacock ritual; he just looked like he had slipped out of his suit as some sort of gesture of honesty and baring.”

She also noted that he “performed as if he didn’t notice he had an audience,” but then shared that that “didn’t stop Hailey’s beam of pride from the stands and even a little finger-pinch signal to the camera to suggest she knew he would surprise and stun them all with this touching, raw performance.”