Gaga's Grammys Risk: "Abracadabra" Under a Wicker Headpiece

Lady Gaga's performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards was a testament to creative problem-solving under immense pressure. Executive producer Ben Winston revealed that the artist nearly withdrew from the show due to a lack of rehearsal time, having just completed her tour in Tokyo and arriving in Los Angeles less than 36 hours before the broadcast.

Faced with these constraints, Gaga and her team, including choreographer Parris Goebel, devised a minimalist, band-centric rendition of "Abracadabra." The performance featured a rock-inspired arrangement with Andrew Watt on guitar, Cirkut on synth, and Josh Freese on drums, while Gaga commanded two keyboards and a modular synthesizer. She was the sole dancer, her face obscured by an elaborate wicker headpiece, a stark departure from a potentially grander spectacle.

Adding to the innovation, a camera mounted on a pre-programmed robot arm captured unprecedented close-ups, a first for a live awards show, introducing a unique element of risk. Despite the challenges, the performance was a resounding success, earning high praise from Winston, who noted its originality and impact, predicting it would be remembered as a special moment in Grammy history.