Drumroll, please! James Corden will host the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 12, 2017.
The Late Late Show host, 38, is taking over the master of ceremony duties from hip-hop artist and fellow CBS star LL Cool J after a five-year run. “I am truly honored to be hosting the Grammys next year,” Corden said in a press release. "It’s the biggest, most prestigious award show in music and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of such an incredible night.”
Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow cited Corden’s popular Carpool Karaoke segments as part of the reason he was chosen for the hosting gig. “Thanks to Carpool Karaoke, we’ve all been on some incredible rides with James, and The Recording Academy couldn’t be more excited to welcome his passion and enthusiasm for music, both as an entertainer and a fan, to the Grammy stage on February 12,” Portnow said. “He’s got big shoes to fill after the magnificent run we had with LL Cool J, but James Corden is a commanding, dynamic showman who, we believe, is perfect to host the Grammy Awards.”
We can only hope for an epic Carpool Karaoke segment during the Grammys. Some of the biggest names in music, such as Lady Gaga, Madonna, Adele, Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Justin Bieber and Britney Spears, have all participated in singalongs from the comedian’s passenger seat.
This isn’t the first time Corden has hosted a major award show, though. He was a hit when he hosted the Tony Awards in June, putting on an impressive opening number where he acted out lyrics from several Broadway plays.
The Grammy nominees will be announced on Tuesday, December 6, and the Grammy Awards will air live on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 12, at 8 p.m. ET.
