Trevor Noah is prepping to once again take on hosting duties at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards, and he is feeling the same level of nervousness he felt the first time around.
Talking with ET’s Rachel Smith, the comedian, 39, said that despite this being his fourth time holding the microphone on music’s biggest night, he is still waiting on a year where he is purely excited rather than anxious.
“I love it, but I’m still as nervous. It’s a really strange feeling,” Noah says. “I always think that the year will come where they tell me I’m hosting and I’m like, ‘Ah the Grammys, let’s do it.’ But no. Every single time it’s the same amount of nerve, same amount of excitement and anticipation. And I think I can see why I’m nervous. When you look at the lineup, the cast, you know, all the performers who are gonna be on, you just, you don’t want to be the person who messes that whole thing up.”
As a two-time GRAMMY nominee himself, the former host of The Daily Show tells ET he knows just how important it is to make sure things go off without a hitch and that the artists and attendees feel respected and admired.
“You know, it’s everybody’s biggest night, it’s music’s biggest night,” he says. “The last thing you wanna be is the cog in the machine that throws everything off.”
As for how he is getting ready, the South African born stand-up — who is currently traveling the country on his Off the Record Tour and has been busy with his What Now? With Trevor Noah Spotify podcast — says he is keeping it simple, focusing and hoping “for the best.” He adds that the reason he keeps coming back to host the GRAMMYs is because of his deep love and admiration for the team behind the show.
“Well, first – first and foremost, it’s the team,” Noah tells ET. “I love the team at the GRAMMYs.”
Noah says that he believes as long as he feels comfortable, supported and happy with the team in any project he takes on, he will always feel accomplished at the end of the day. He called the show, helmed by producer Ben Winston, a “beautiful orchestra” and a “well-oiled machine.”
“I have this – this idea that I live by which, which has really served me well. And that is: I will do anything with the people I love. So whatever job I’m trying to do, I try and make sure I’m doing it with people I enjoy doing it with because even if the outcome is terrible, the process doing it was, was rewarding and wonderful,” Noah says.
“Seeing how good the other people are, I appreciate that. That’s probably one of the biggest things that keeps me coming back,” he says, adding that the front-row seat and VIP ticket don’t hurt the offer each year. “And then also, I mean, where else are you gonna get like that, that kind of ticket for that kind of concert?”
“Where else are you gonna get a ticket to see like Dua Lipa, Travis Scott, Burna Boy, Billie Eilish with my seats? So I think that’s like the most selfish reason I do it,” Noah jokes. “Easily the best concert that’s ever made.”
The performers mentioned by the comedian are just a few of the big names previously announced to hit the stage on Sunday. The Recording Academy also recently shared that icons like Billy Joel and Joni Mitchell will also perform at the awards show, while the night’s most nominated singer, SZA, is also slated to take the stage.
For his own part, Noah refused to say the singer he is really hoping pulls off a surprise performance, although he hinted at the answer being Beyoncé.
“I think we all know who I’m thinking about,” he says. “I just don’t want to say it because I don’t want to jinx it.”
It’s unclear if Queen Bey is planning to attend and if she has any tricks up her sleeve. Other confirmed performers include Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Combs and U2.
The 2024 GRAMMYs will broadcast and stream live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
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