ROSÉ and Bruno Mars didn’t walk onto the Grammys stage. They arrived like a storm. The lights dropped into black and white. Guitars screamed instead of sparkled. Their voices didn’t float — they pushed forward, sharp and restless. “APT.” was no longer playful. It sounded bigger. Rougher. Like a song that had learned how to fight. They barely looked at the crowd, but the crowd couldn’t look away. Every move felt deliberate. Every pause felt dangerous. This didn’t feel like an opening act. It felt like the night quietly changing direction. And in the last seconds, when the sound collapsed into noise and light, you could sense it — something had shifted, and the rest of the show would have to live with it.

ROSÉ and Bruno Mars Set the 2026 Grammys Stage Ablaze with “APT.” Performance

Game, start! The 2026 Grammy Awards kicked off with electrifying energy on Sunday, February 1, as ROSÉ of BLACKPINK and Bruno Mars lit up the stage with their Billboard smash hit, “APT.” Their much-anticipated performance brought down the house — and set the tone for an unforgettable night.

The duo emerged in sleek black-and-white ensembles, with ROSÉ sporting a crisp white tank, skinny tie, and tailored slacks, exuding cool confidence. Mars, ever the showman, matched her vibe on electric guitar as they launched into their infectious track. “Don’t you want me like I want you, baby? / Don’t you need me like I need you now?” ROSÉ sang, beaming as the crowd jumped to their feet. With their undeniable chemistry and stage command, the Grammys were officially underway within minutes.

From Drinking Game to Global Anthem

Inspired by a popular Korean drinking game, “APT.” became an unexpected global anthem in 2025. Its carefree, uptempo groove ruled the Billboard Global 200, holding the No. 1 spot for 12 consecutive weeks and peaking at No. 3 on the Hot 100. The song’s crossover success brought K-pop and funk-pop together in a way that few collaborations have managed before.

The track’s rise also marked a historic first for ROSÉ: the BLACKPINK star became the first-ever K-pop soloist to receive nominations in the Grammy’s general field categories. Her first Grammy nods included Record of the Year and Song of the Year — monumental milestones in both her solo career and for Korean artists in general.

Grammy Glory… or Just the Beginning?

While “APT.” didn’t take home the trophy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — that honor went to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for their Wicked duet “Defying Gravity” — the performance left an undeniable impact. For Mars, who entered the night with 16 Grammys and 36 nominations under his belt, the night was another feather in a decorated cap. For ROSÉ, it was the arrival of a new era — not just for her, but for K-pop on the global stage.

With their show-opening performance, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars proved that genre, geography, and tradition are no barriers when the music hits just right. As fans streamed the ceremony live on CBS and Paramount+ from around the world, one thing was certain — “APT.” wasn’t just a song. It was a moment.

The 2026 Grammy Awards were held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.