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What Can We Expect From Beyoncé’s 2017 Grammys Performance?

A few educated guesses on what she’ll sing — and wear, of course.

Recording Artist Beyonce performs onstage during The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Beyoncé performs at the 2015 Grammys.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS

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This Sunday night, beloved American singer-songwriter Beyoncé is set to perform at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. It’s been a huge week for the musical superstar, in which she birthed a new fashion collection and announced she will soon be birthing twins. She also happens to be heading into the Grammys with a whopping nine nominations, which makes her not only the most nominated artist this year, but also the most nominated woman in Grammy history.

Of course, Beyoncé loves nothing more than to surprise us (see: 2013’s Beyoncé, 2016’s Lemonade) so there’s no knowing for sure what her performance on Sunday might involve. After a little bit of research and a lot of hopeful speculation, however, I have several educated guesses:

  • Beyoncé will be performing a Prince tribute. CBS has already shared that this year’s Grammys will include "two unforgettable tribute segments" to Prince and George Michael in honor of the late stars’ musical legacies. Performers and songs are being kept under wraps until the show, but consider this: Prince and Beyoncé have performed together at the Grammys before. Bey covered "The Beautiful Ones" at Glastonbury back in 2011 — and following Prince’s death last year, she organized a "Purple Rain" singalong during her Formation tour. Having her perform a medley of his greatest hits on Grammys night seems like a no-brainer. Plus, imagine the fashion possibilities! It’s been too long since Beyoncé wore purple.
  • Beyoncé will treat her performance as an extension of her pregnancy announcement. Fans loved the explosion of flowers, underwater shots, and fancy lingerie featured in Bey’s photos (they even rushed to buy both of her $130 bras). I wouldn’t be surprised if the singer incorporated artistic elements from those shots into her Grammys act. As for whether that means she’ll perform nearly nude, perched atop a car, underwater, or simply surrounded by thousands of blooms, I’m not really sure. (Side note: I’m, like, 99.9 percent sure it’s impossible to sing while underwater — but if anyone can find a way, it’s Yoncé.)

#Stunning

A photo posted by Beyoncé (@beylite) on

  • Beyoncé will be so reckless when she rocks her Givenchy dress. Okay, this one sort of feels like a given(chy?), considering that Bey has worn designs by Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci for the past five Met Galas, not to mention at this year’s CFDA Awards, throughout her Lemonade videos, and during her Formation tour. But it’s particularly meaningful because last month, Tisci left his post as Givenchy’s creative director after a 12-year tenure. He’s already shared that his final couture pieces for the French label will be worn by celebrities at this month’s Grammys and Oscars — and honestly, there’s no better way to go out with a bang than to go out with a Bey.
Beyonce attends the 'China: Through The Looking Glass' Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City.
Beyoncé wears Givenchy Haute Couture at the 2015 Met Gala.
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
  • Beyoncé will perform "Love Drought" and/or "All Night." So far, she’s sung the following Lemonade tracks live at awards shows: "Freedom" (BET Awards), "Pray You Catch Me," "Hold Up," "Sorry," "Don’t Hurt Yourself," "Formation" (VMAs), and "Daddy Lessons" (CMAs). That leaves "6 Inch," "Love Drought," "Sandcastles," and "All Night." The Weeknd is already performing with Daft Punk, so "6 Inch" probably isn’t going to happen. And according to TMZ, Bey will be "taking it easy" on Sunday’s stage due to her pregnancy, so it’d make sense for her to pick a slow jam. But no way is she going to sing "Sandcastles," Lemonade’s most heartbreaking song, in the wake of last week’s joyous baby news. That leaves the two tracks listed above as possibilities. Personally, I hope she goes for "All Night," both because it’s arguably Lemonade’s most underrated track and because it’d give Beyoncé an opportunity to re-wear that gorgeous Ankara dress from the video.

Like I said, though, the singer loves surprising us, so there’s always the possibility that...

  • Beyoncé will be performing a new song. I know, I know, it’s only been ten months since Lemonade, but consider this: Bey released "7/11" just 11 months after her 2013 album Beyoncé. The timing actually makes sense for a new single, and where better to debut it than at the Grammys?

Stay tuned. The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will air Sunday, February 12 on CBS at 8 p.m. EST.