Church of Satan: Sam Smith’s ‘Unholy’ Performance Wasn’t ‘Satanic’
Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ Grammy performance of their award-winning hit “Unholy” made headlines as some slammed it as “evil” and “satanic.” But now, a magister from the Church of…
Sam Smith performs onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording AcademySam Smith and Kim Petras' Grammy performance of their award-winning hit "Unholy" made headlines as some slammed it as "evil" and "satanic." But now, a magister from the Church of Satan has given his verdict.
The stage was lit red Sunday night with the addition of metal cages and dancers circling around Smith. Smith, of course, sported a red horned hat and a cheeky red leather ensemble while singing about "doing something unholy."
As it turns out, the elaborate performance caused quite the stir as Piers Morgan described Smith as "Satan" in his "uncensored" New York Post column. Even Twitter CEO Elon Musk even had something to say about the performance. He described it as "End of days vibes." He added: "If that’s Satan, we have nothing to worry about."
Meanwhile, conservatives were having a meltdown as U.S. Senator Ted Cruz tweeted: "This…is…evil." Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene described the performance as "demonic" and called on American Christians "to get to work." Megyn Kelly also slammed the musicians for "celebrating Satan."
When asked about his thoughts on the performance, David Harris, magister for the Church of Satan, told gossip website TMZ that it was "alright" and "nothing particularly special." Harris even says the imagery evoked in their Grammys set is similar to what we've already seen from other artists: red clothing, fire and devil horns, and it's "all kind of passé now."
Harris addressed the anger from politicians. "It's sad when politicians on a national stage use someone's religion as a punchline," and also described them as "delicate snowflakes."
The Church of Satan says Lil Nas X's music video for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" was actually much more proactive than anything Sam and Kim did, in a satanic sense. As for "Unholy," the Church of Satan says it's really just a lot of attractive people prancing around in nice outfits, singing lyrics more about infidelity than Satanism.
2023 Grammy Red Carpet Train Wrecks and Best Looks Ranked
The 2023 Grammy Awards is always a night of excitement - both musical and fashion-wise. Before our favorite musical artists are bestowed their trophies, they took the red carpet by storm. Some were hurricanes -- or train wrecks -- while others struck lightning with their electrifying outfits.
Take a look below at the worst and best looks of the night:
Worst: Harry Styles
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Harry Styles attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Worst: Ray Angry
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Ray Angry of The Roots attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Worst: DOMi and JD Beck
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) DOMi and JD Beck attend the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Worst: Nancy Wilson
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Nancy Wilson attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Worst: Shania Twain
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Shania Twain attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Worst: Blac Chyna
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Blac Chyna attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Worst: Fat Joe
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Fat Joe attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Worst: Amber Rose
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Amber Rose attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Worst: Jack Harlow
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Jack Harlow attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Worst: Mary J. Blige
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Mary J. Blige attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Taylor Swift
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Taylor Swift attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Kacey Musgraves
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Kacey Musgraves attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Dwayne Johnson and Lauren Hashian
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Dwayne Johnson and Lauren Hashian attend the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Best: Fran Drescher
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Fran Drescher attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Smokey Robinson and Frances Glandney
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Smokey Robinson and Frances Glandney attend the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Lil Uzi Vert
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Lil Uzi Vert attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Diplo
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Diplo attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Erick The Architect
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Erick The Architect attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Heidi Klum
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Heidi Klum attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Pharrell Williams
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Pharrell Williams attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Best: Camila Cabello
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Camila Cabello attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Lourdes Leon
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Lourdes Leon attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Best: Kelsea Ballerini
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Kelsea Ballerini attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Maren Morris
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Maren Morris attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Best: Steve Lacy
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Steve Lacy attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Questlove
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Questlove attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Bebe Rexha
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Bebe Rexha attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Best: Miguel
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Miguel attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Best: Kim Petras, Sam Smith, Violet Chachki and Gottmik
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (front L-R) Kim Petras, Sam Smith, Violet Chachki and Gottmik attend the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Best: Doja Cat
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording AcademyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Doja Cat attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Best: Lizzo
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Lizzo attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Best: Cardi B
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Cardi B attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
