Ricky Gervais slams political speeches at 2026 Grammys

Ricky Gervais reignites debate after criticizing Grammy winners for political speeches targeting ICE policies

Ricky Gervais is once again sparking debate after criticizing celebrities who use award show speeches as political platforms, this time following the 2026 Grammy Awards.

The English comedian shared a clip from his widely discussed 2020 Golden Globes monologue on social media, reiterating his stance that entertainers should avoid lecturing the public on political matters.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the resurfaced clip, Gervais advised winners not to turn acceptance speeches into political statements, arguing that many actors are not in a position to comment on real-world issues. He captioned the post with a remark suggesting that celebrities are “still not listening,” signaling his continued frustration with politically charged moments at major award shows.

His comments arrived shortly after several Grammy winners used their speeches to address U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Artists including Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Olivia Dean, Shaboozey, and Kehlani voiced support for immigrant communities and criticized the agency during the ceremony. Some attendees — among them Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, Joni Mitchell, and Samara Joy — wore pins reading “ICE out,” while Bon Iver founder Justin Vernon reportedly displayed an orange whistle symbolizing community alerts tied to immigration enforcement activity.

This is not the first time Gervais has reacted strongly to political messaging at entertainment events. He made a similar post after the Emmy Awards last year, though it was later deleted.

The renewed criticism highlights an ongoing cultural divide within the entertainment industry: while some celebrities view award shows as powerful platforms for activism, others — including Gervais — argue that such moments should remain focused on artistic achievement rather than political discourse.