The 2013 Grammy Awards brought showstopping performances, rule-bending fashion and more than a few surprises. But the festivities kicked off long before CBS rolled out the red carpet at L.A.’s Staples Center. Us Weekly has the inside scoop on all the exclusive parties, concerts, and behind-the-scenes details from before, during and after music’s biggest night. Check out the extended timeline below!
Tuesday, February 5
10 p.m. Let the fun begin! Sophia Bush and friends kick off the Grammy week partying at a Capital Cities performance at the Sayers Club in Hollywood.
Thursday, February 7
8:30 p.m. At the Quattro Volte Vodka event, Taio Cruz tells Steve Angello‘s wife, Isabel Adrian, that he’s deep in writing mode for his new album and is going to the Grammys just to support Angello (who co-wrote “Troublemaker”) and Swedish House Mafia.
10:43 p.m. Did someone call for a guardian angel? At Tru Hollywood Nightclub for Jason Lee‘s “For the Love of R&B: A Tribute to Whitney Houston” event, singer-actress Jordin Sparks tells Us she feels protective of Houston’s 19-year-old daughter: “I gave Bobbi Kristina my number [at the Sparkle premiere], and I said, ‘If you ever need anything, just call me, when you want to talk, anything.'”
10:55 p.m. Beyonce is her sister’s biggest fan! After Solange‘s set at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, the “Crazy in Love” singer (with husband Jay-Z) claps and yells for an encore.
Friday, February 8
12:30 a.m. PDA alert! Paris Hilton and boyfriend River Viipieri cuddle affectionately on a break from dancing to Swedish DJ Avicii‘s set at the grand opening of Vanguard in Hollywood.
4:08 p.m. Pete Wentz picks up a new pair of shades from Solstice Sunglasses at a Grammys gifting suite backstage. His Fall Out Boy bandmate Joe Trohman tells him, “You look like a cool dad!”
9:49 p.m. At the Hollywood Tower Hotel in West Hollywood for the VIBE Media Impact Awards Honoring Mary J. Blige, Diddy is overflowing with praise for the singer. “I love you, Mary,” he says before heading offstage, only to return moments later. “Aight, this is part two to my speech!” he announces.
10 p.m. Gorgeous as ever in a long black dress with gold sparkles on the shoulder, Jennifer Lopez arrives with boyfriend Casper Smart at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, where Nas is enjoying a Hennessy-hosted dinner party with friends. The couple pop into the bash with legendary producer L.A. Reid to congratulate the rapper on his Grammy nominations.
10:13 p.m. Bringing SexyBack in a big way! At the Conga Room at L.A. Live for the mPowering Action party, Justin Timberlake joins longtime collaborator Timbaland onstage to perform “Carry Out.”
11:04 p.m. Fellow former boy banders A.J. McLean (of the Backstreet Boys) and Nick Lachey (of 98 Degrees) catch up in the VIP area at the Grammy Friends ‘n’ Family Party on the Paramount Lot.
Saturday, February 9
1:16 p.m. Time for a costume change! At Hollywood hotspot Lure for the Universal Music Group Showcase, Florence and the Machine singer Florence Welch — in a coat, boho-style blouse, skinny jeans, and velvet knee-high boots — announces she needs to change for her performance. Nearby, her guitar player, Robert Ackroyd, plays a sweet melody on his guitar.
3:00 p.m. Doting dad-to-be! Decked out in a Ciroc jersey for the E-LEAGUE: Grammy Challenge basketball game at Equinox Sports Club, Scrubs actor Donald Faison runs to check in with pregnant wife CaCee Cobb (Jessica Simpson‘s BFF) during a break from the action.
3:30 p.m At West Hollywood’s Soho House for the Roc Nation brunch, Beyonce and Jay-Z relax on a patio couch with Will Smith, Rihanna, Solange, and Kelly Rowland.
4:00 p.m. Chris Brown arrives at the Roc Nation pre-Grammys party and zeroes in on Rihanna. A source tells Us they’re all over each other and in “their own little world.”
7:00 p.m. Birdman gets surprised with a birthday cake at his Cash Money Records pre-Grammys event produced by Colin Cowie Celebrations. Drake, Jay Sean and Busta Ryhmes celebrate the occasion late into the night.
8:20 p.m. (En)lighten up! John Mayer chats with Sting and then introduces the icon to his girlfriend, pop superstar Katy Perry, who asks about Sting’s “transcendental meditation” practices.
Sunday, February 10
5:50 p.m. Ellen DeGeneres and Beyonce — in a bold, black-and-white jumpsuit — meet backstage to prepare their introduction to Justin Timberlake’s Grammys performance. DeGeneres explains that she wants to mock-sing Timberlake’s name during the bit, so Beyonce tries to mimic her, prompting someone to ask if the talk show host is trying to give the “Girls (Run the World)” singer voice lessons.
6:17 p.m. Proceed to party! Blake Shelton and wife Miranda Lambert — in a plunging Roberto Cavalli gown — walk into the show with blue Solo cups.
6:30 p.m. Here’s looking at you, Brandon Blackstock. Accepting the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, Kelly Clarkson gives a shout-out to her “sexy” fiance, who’s sitting behind Katy Perry. Perry — stunning in a mint-green Gucci dress — turns around, smiles, and points at him.
9 p.m. Carrie Underwood celebrates her Grammy win for Best Country Solo Performance with dinner at Sushi Roku Hollywood, where she and her group watch her technicolor performance on the restaurant’s TVs.
9:50 p.m. Cheers! At the W Hollywood for a post-Grammys/pre-concert bash before he takes the stage at Hollywood’s Palladium theater, Timberlake says, ‘Let’s all do a shot,’ and then knocks back a glass of his own brand of tequila.
11:07 p.m. Dance party! After trading in her floor-length, one-shouldered Oscar de la Renta Grammys gown for a knee-length red dress, Jessica Biel heads up to the balcony at the Palladium, where she gets her groove on to “Crazy in Love.” A source tells Us she’s “in a great mood and super excited” for her husband’s concert.
Monday, February 11
12 a.m. Midnight madness! At Hollywood’s Jane’s House for the Black Keys Grammys after-party, Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford sips Peligroso Tequila on ice and dances to a DJ set by Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbachs.
1 a.m. Hey, big spender! Diddy rolls in to West Hollywood hotspot Greystone Manor, where he and his entourage — 10 people, including girlfriend Cassie — reportedly drop more than $50,000 on champagne, cigars, and Hennessy V.S. He and Cassie spend the night making out and dirty dancing until closing time at around 3 a.m.
1:30 a.m. Proof that even stars get starstruck: At Roc Nation’s Post-Grammy Benefit Concert at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, Ellen Pompeo notices Jay-Z sitting a few tables down and gushes to her friend, “Damn! Damn! He’s really all that!”
