why did justin bieber perform in boxers

Justin Bieber performed in boxers at the 2026 Grammys largely as a spontaneous, last‑minute style choice rather than a deeply pre‑planned “statement,” with producers saying he only really locked in the outfit as he went onstage. The look also doubled as a very on‑brand mix of intimacy, vulnerability, and heavy buzz‑generation for his big return to the Grammys stage after several quiet years.

Why did Justin Bieber perform in boxers?

The basic explanation

• Grammys executive producer Ben Winston said Bieber’s boxers‑and‑socks look “wasn’t planned” in advance and that Justin didn’t seem to fully decide on the outfit until he walked onstage.

• Winston described it less as a calculated “break the internet” stunt and more as Justin going with how he felt in the moment on the night.

• The boxers were satin shorts and socks from his own brand Skylrk, so even this “casual” choice still subtly promoted his brand.

The performance context

• The moment happened during the 2026 Grammys, where Bieber performed a stripped‑down version of “Yukon” from his R&B‑leaning album “Swag.”

• The staging was intentionally minimal: a single spotlight, a purple guitar, no elaborate graphics or decor, just Bieber in boxers and socks.

• Producers called the performance “risky,” “real,” and “raw,” emphasizing that the focus was meant to be on his voice and emotion rather than a big spectacle.

Image, comeback, and symbolism (what people are reading into it)

There is no official “deep” artistic manifesto from Bieber about the boxers, but fans and commentators have connected a few dots:

• Comeback moment: This was his first Grammys performance in four years after canceling his Justice world tour in 2022 due to health concerns and then stepping back from frequent live shows.

• More personal era: Press around his newer music frames it as more reflective and rooted in his life as a husband and father, suggesting a more vulnerable artistic phase.

• Visual message: An almost “undressed” look fits the idea of being stripped down, exposed, and honest onstage, especially for a slow, emotional performance rather than a dance‑heavy pop moment.

These are interpretations rather than confirmed motives, but they line up with how award‑show fashion is often used to signal a new era or reset.

How fans and social media reacted

• Social media timelines and comment sections were filled with variations of “Why is he naked?” and “Why is he in boxers?” as the outfit quickly became one of the most talked‑about moments of the night.

• Reactions split into a few main camps:
  • People who found it confusing or “bizarre” and mostly joked about it.

* Fans who loved the confidence, calling the set raw, intimate, and vocally impressive.

* Viewers who saw it as classic pop‑star shock value and meme fuel for the Grammys news cycle.

Overall, the look did exactly what a risky award‑show outfit usually does: it pushed conversation from “He sounded great” to “Everyone is talking about this performance.”

Mini FAQ

• Was it definitely planned as a PR stunt?
  Producers insist it was not carefully pre‑planned and say Justin only really committed to the outfit right before stepping out, though they acknowledge it was a risky and striking choice.

• Was there a specific cause or tribute behind the boxers?
  No widely reported, confirmed tribute or cause has been tied to it; any deeper “meanings” discussed online are largely fan theories and forum jokes.

• Did it overshadow the music?
  For many casual viewers, yes—the outfit dominated headlines and memes—but critics also highlighted how controlled and emotional his vocals were in the stripped‑back setup.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.