Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show since 2015, is set to host the 2021 Grammys. Noah will take over from Alicia Keys, who hosted the last two years.
Jon Stewart, Noah’s predecessor as host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, hosted the Grammys twice, in 2001-02.
Other talk show hosts who have hosted the Grammys over the years include Rosie O’Donnell (1999-2000), Queen Latifah (2005) and James Corden (2017-18) and future talk show hosts Whoopi Goldberg (1992) and Ellen DeGeneres (1996-97).
Noah, 36, was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He will be the second Grammy host born outside of the U.S., following Corden.
Noah was nominated for a Grammy a year ago for best comedy album for Son of Patricia. He has been nominated for nine Emmy Awards, and has won one, for outstanding short form variety series – 2017.
“With a knack for keeping viewers engaged and entertained, Trevor is the perfect choice to lead us through what’s sure to be an incredible evening full of music, unforgettable moments, unity and inspiration,” said Harvey Mason Jr., chair and interim president/CEO of the Recording Academy, in a statement.
“Trevor’s comedy talents, engaging energy and unique perspective make him the perfect host for the Grammys,” said George Cheeks, CBS Entertainment Group president and CEO.
Cheeks also made note of the fact that the 2021 Grammys will be dominated by talent from the ViacomCBS family. “With Trevor hosting and ‘The Late Late Show’s’ Ben Winston producing, it’s yet another example of our combined company’s power in music, entertainment and the biggest live events.”
The 63rd annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, on CBS at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. The pre-telecast awards, formally known as the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, will be streamed live on Grammy.com at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT.
The 63rd Grammys are produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy. Winston is executive producer, Jesse Collins and Raj Kapoor are co-executive producers, Fatima Robinson, Josie Cliff and David Wild are producers, Patrick Menton is talent producer, and Hamish Hamilton is director.
This will be Winston’s first time fully in charge of the Grammy telecast. He succeeds Ken Ehrlich, who was producer or executive producer for 40 years. It will be Hamilton’s first time directing the show. Louis J. Horvitz directed the last 10 years.