Trevor Noah is no stranger to controversy, but his latest joke at the 2025 Grammy Awards landed him in hot water. While hosting the prestigious music event, Noah made a harmful stereotype about Colombian singer Shakira, sparking outrage from online users who say his comments were \u201coffensive and outdated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trevor Noah has once again found himself at the center of controversy, this time for a joke made while hosting the glitzy Los Angeles-based Grammy Awards on February 2.<\/p>\n
But before the South African comedian \u2013 known for his sharp wit and satirical takes \u2013 fired off with his signature mix of humor and political jabs, he shared his praise to the \u201cheroic actions of firefighters\u201d who helped contain the deadly L.A. wildfires that displaced about 200,000 people and destroyed more than 18,000 structures.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a few weeks ago, we weren\u2019t sure tonight that this show would even happen. I mean, you don\u2019t need me to tell you this, but this city has just been through one of the largest natural disasters in American history.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former host of The Daily Show continued, \u201cTens of thousands of people have lost their homes. Entire neighborhoods have been erased. Schools, local businesses and entire communities have burned to the ground. Thankfully, due to heroic efforts of firefighters, the fires have now been contained.\u201d<\/p>\n
Comedic burns
\nThen the 40-year-old comedian \u2013 his fifth consecutive time hosting the awards ceremony \u2013 shifted his focus and started with his comedic burns, sparing no one.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know if you\u2019ve noticed, there\u2019s been a few changes in Washington,\u201d Noah began biting, referencingm \u00a0Donald Trump\u2019s\u00a0return to the White House.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to enjoy tonight, because this may be the last time I get to host anything in this country,\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n
Later, the award-winning host targeted the president\u2019s new tariffs levied against Mexico and Canada, joking that \u201cMaple syrup is about to be $50!\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite his playful roasting of Trump, it was his comment about Colombia that set social media ablaze.<\/p>\n
Moments after Noah said, \u201c[W]e are honoring the best in music as voted on by the 13,000 members of The Recording Academy \u2013 and 20 million illegal immigrants,\u201d he then introduced the three-time Grammy winner Shakira.<\/p>\n
\u201cThree-time Grammy winner Shakira is in the house!\u201d Noah quipped, adding that she\u2019s \u201cthe greatest thing out of Colombia that isn\u2019t a class A felony.\u201d<\/p>\n
The joke didn\u2019t sit well with audiences \u2013 especially fans of the Latin music star.<\/p>\n
The comic\u2019s remark about Colombia\u2019s association with crime and drug trafficking drew immediate criticism and while some found it humorous, the joke immediately ignited backlash, with many accusing him of playing into harmful stereotypes.<\/p>\n