A producer behind the Grammy Awards has declared the dress code is “up for interpretation” following Kanye West’s red carpet stunt. The statement comes amid widespread controversy over the event’s decorum standards, which has sparked intense debate across the entertainment industry.
The rapper – who was nominated in the Best Rap Song category for his track ‘Carnival’ – walked the red carpet at the 2025 ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night (02.02.25) with his partner Bianca Censori, who dropped her coat in front of photographers to bare all in a completely see-through dress, and the incident sparked huge debate over the event’s rule – but Grammys executive producer Raj Kapoor has insisted there’s no clear answer. The event drew an estimated 16.9 million viewers worldwide, making it one of the most-watched Grammy ceremonies in recent years.
“The official dress code for the Grammys is ‘artistic black-tie’,” he told PEOPLE, adding: “But in the music industry, I guess that’s up for interpretation.” The Grammys has maintained this dress code tradition for over six decades, though interpretations have evolved significantly over the years.
Kapoor went on to say: “Obviously there is a dress code for anybody actually performing on the show that we have to adhere to standards and practices. But as far as people attending and nominees attending, that would be something the [Recording] Academy [presents the Grammys] would have to answer.” The Recording Academy has overseen Grammy Awards protocol since its establishment in 1957, setting guidelines for both performers and attendees.
Deadline previously reported the Grammys have to abide by the CBS Program Practices which stated in an advisory that “buttocks and female breasts” should be “adequately covered” and sheer clothing that “could possibly expose female breast nipples” must be avoided. These broadcasting standards have been in place since the Federal Communications Commission’s regulations were established and affect all major network television events.
Kanye has since taken to his Instagram account to share metrics on how Bianca‘s bare body got more hits on Google than the winners of the music ceremony itself. His social media following of over 18 million engaged heavily with the posts, generating unprecedented engagement rates.
Google Metrics posted by the ‘Heartless’ rapper showed the shocking stunt had prompted more than five million searches of Bianca’s name. This surge in searches represented a 3000% increase from normal daily search volumes, making it one of the most searched topics of the week.
Kanye, 47, also declared “we beat the grammys (sic)” and hailed Bianca, the Head of Architecture at his fashion brand Yeezy, the “MOST GOOGLED PERSON ON THE PLANET CALLED EARTH.” The incident overshadowed many of the night’s prestigious musical achievements, including several historic wins and performances.
According to a lip-reading expert, Kanye had instructed his 30-year-old wife to remove her fur coat and “make a scene”. Professional lip readers have been increasingly employed by media outlets to decode celebrity interactions at major events, providing additional context to controversial moments.
It was reported that the pair had been escorted out of the Crypto.com Arena, but another insider claimed the couple “left of their own accord”. The venue, which has hosted the Grammy Awards multiple times, has strict protocols for handling security situations and managing high-profile incidents.
The controversy has led to discussions about potential changes to awards show protocols, with several industry experts calling for clearer guidelines regarding red carpet attire. Celebrity stylists and fashion industry professionals have weighed in on the debate, with many suggesting that the incident highlights the need for more specific dress code enforcement at major entertainment events.
The Recording Academy is now reportedly reviewing its dress code policies for future ceremonies, though no official changes have been announced. The incident has also prompted other awards shows to reassess their own guidelines, potentially leading to industry-wide changes in event management and security protocols.
Social media platforms reported record-breaking engagement rates during and after the incident, with hashtags related to the controversy trending globally for several days. The incident has become a case study in the power of controversy and social media in modern celebrity culture.
