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The 68th Grammy Awards burst to life in Los Angeles as Rosé of BLACKPINK and Bruno Mars teamed up for a high-voltage opening performance of their global hit “APT.” From the moment the lights dimmed inside Crypto.com Arena, anticipation turned into thunderous applause, marking one of the most talked‑about Grammy kickoffs in recent years.
Rosé, making history as one of the few K‑pop soloists to open the prestigious ceremony, stepped onto the stage with unmistakable star power. Dressed in a sleek, modern rock‑inspired look, she blended her signature ethereal vocals with a grittier live edge, giving “APT.” a fresh, arena‑ready feel. Bruno Mars, already a Grammy favorite, matched her energy effortlessly, sliding between velvety smooth melodies and explosive belts that reminded the audience why he remains one of pop’s most dynamic performers.
ROSÉ AND BRUNO ‘APT’ OPENING THE GRAMMYS pic.twitter.com/a84kjZayHg
— rosie (@roseannepics) February 2, 2026
The reimagined arrangement of “APT.” leaned into a more live‑band, rock‑infused sound, complete with roaring guitars, pounding drums, and a driving bassline that shook the arena. The chemistry between Rosé and Mars was undeniable; every glance, harmony, and shared moment on stage felt meticulously crafted yet completely natural. Their voices intertwined in powerful call‑and‑response sections, giving the duet a stadium anthem quality that elevated the original track into something even more cinematic.
Visually, the performance delivered full spectacle. A cascade of dynamic lighting bathed the stage in deep reds, purples, and golds, mirroring the emotional arc of the song. As the chorus hit, pyrotechnics and sweeping camera shots captured the crowd on their feet, phones raised, eager to immortalize the moment. The choreography stayed true to Rosé’s polished performance style—fluid, elegant, and emotionally charged—while Bruno infused his signature old‑school showmanship, from charismatic ad‑libs to playful interactions with the live band.
The opening number did more than entertain; it signaled a cultural milestone. Bringing together a K‑pop icon and an American superstar on music’s biggest night highlighted just how global the industry has become. Rosé’s presence on such a massive stage underscored the continuing rise of Korean artists in Western award shows, while Mars’s involvement reinforced his role as a bridge between genres, generations, and audiences. For fans of both artists, “APT.” served as a shared anthem, uniting fandoms across continents.
Industry watchers quickly noted how strategic this pairing was for the Grammys’ image. Starting the show with a cross‑cultural, genre‑blending hit positioned the ceremony as fresh, relevant, and in tune with global pop trends. It also fueled speculation that “APT.” could become a major contender in upcoming award categories, from Record of the Year discussions to performance‑based accolades. Even before the night’s trophies were handed out, the collaboration had already secured its place as a defining moment of the 68th edition.
As the final note rang out and the lights faded, Rosé and Bruno Mars stood side by side, taking in a standing ovation that felt as loud as the performance itself. In under a few minutes, they had transformed “APT.” from a hit song into a historic live moment—one that fans, critics, and the music world at large will be replaying and revisiting long after the Grammys’ closing credits.
