Jon Batiste & Wife Skip Grammys Amid Cancer Battle

Some Grammy winners celebrated their big moments from the comfort of their own homes.

At the 2025 Grammys, stars such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Sabrina Carpenter attended, but Jon Batiste and his wife Suleika Jaouad, whose film “American Symphony” won two awards, chose to watch the event from home after announcing that her cancer had come back.

On a leisurely Sunday, life is wonderful, Suleika wrote in an Instagram post on Feb. 2, representing the couple. “We feel deeply privileged to have won the Grammy for Best Music Film (and also for Song Written For Visual Media!). We weren’t able to attend the ceremony, but we’re sending warm smiles from our couch to yours and expressing gratitude to everyone who helped bring this film to life.

As I eagerly awaited the grand event just a few short weeks away, the writer revealed her personal struggle – her diagnosis that had shaped her journey throughout 2024. Reflecting on the highs and lows, I couldn’t help but feel a deep connection to her story.

In her Instagram post from December, she expressed that learning for the third time about having cancer can lead one to feel without hope. However, her photos demonstrated that even during the toughest times, there were numerous sources of joy. Life, she wrote, is not a single entity but rather a constant endeavor to learn to embrace the harsh and beautiful aspects simultaneously within our hands.

Besides André 3000, another notable figure who missed out on the Grammys this year was absent. He was nominated for several awards, including Album of the Year, for his album “New Blue Sun”. A day before the ceremony, he announced that he wouldn’t be able to attend, without disclosing a reason. However, Beyoncé won the Album of the Year award for her album “Cowboy Carter” instead.

It’s not unexpected that Travis Kelce, who has been in a relationship with Taylor for more than a year, was absent from the “Fortnight” singer’s event. This is because the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and his team are preparing to face off against the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Bowl LIX on February 9. If they win, it could make history.

As a lifestyle expert, I must confess that although the Grammy Awards stand as the pinnacle of recognition within the music industry, there have been instances where renowned artists have chosen not to attend this grand affair.

Man, oh man! I simply can’t get over the fact that last year, I myself was so engrossed in my global tour, just like Drake, that I missed out on attending the ceremony despite racking up a whopping four nominations for “Her Loss.” The year before that, I found myself deeply immersed in the filming of “Joker: Folie à Deux” in New York, which kept me from joining the celebration when I was nominated for my incredible track “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick.” It’s all about the love for art and staying dedicated to our craft, right?

Occasionally, stars have chosen to abstain from participating in certain events based on their personal values. For instance, Frank Ocean decided not to attend the Grammys in 2017 and also chose not to submit his widely praised albums, “Blonde” and “Endless”, for nomination consideration. (Ocean had previously received six nominations for his 2012 album “Channel Orange”, eventually winning two.)

The singer expressed to the New York Times that they believe the structure of the awarding process, including nominations and screenings, is outdated. They felt it wasn’t effectively showcasing individuals like themselves and those with similar backgrounds and professions.

Keep reading to see the stars who did attend the Grammys this year.