Went off with a few hitches! Queen Latifah officiated the weddings of 33 couples during a performance by Madonna, Mary Lambert, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at the 2014 Grammy Awards in L.A. on Sunday, Jan. 26 — but suffered a few technical difficulties in the beginning of the now-historic act.
After Latifah entered through chapel doors on stage, a stagehand was spotted directly in the camera shot crawling behind her to close the doors. The 43-year-old singer and actress’ big moment on stage was later interrupted again by Ryan Lewis. The 25-year-old musician moved Latifah into her correct spot on stage to make way for Madonna’s talked-about entrance.
“We are gathered here to celebrate love and harmony in every key and every color. As I look out on this audience I am delighted to see the faces of 33 couples who’ve chosen this moment to celebrate their vows with us here in Las Angeles and everyone watching around the world as witness. It is my distinct honor to now ask our participants to exchange rings to signal their commitment to one another and to a life shared together with the music of love. Will you please exchange rings? Do you each declare that you take each other as spouses? . . .” Latifah asked, while Lewis grabbed her armed and pulled her aside.
Without missing a beat, however, she continued: “By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you a married couple!”
A white-tux-clad Madonna then entered through the chapel doors behind her and sang “Open Your Heart.” Latifah was then seen sharing a laugh with Lewis over the incident.
Lewis’ sister Laura and her fiance Alex were among the couples getting married during the performance. “A night that is already tremendous for me, for the music, but to have my sister get married and my family there watching it — that makes it a whole other level of amazing,” Lewis said of the moment via The New York Times.
Watch Latifah get yanked aside by Lewis in the clip above.
