he Secret People Who Sit in Celebrity Seats at the Grammys—You Won’t Believe What They Do When Stars Step Away

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You know, watching the Grammys this year, I started thinking about those people you barely notice – the seat-fillers. They’re the folks hired to jump into a star’s seat whenever they have to run offstage, like to the bathroom or accept an award backstage. It’s their job to keep the TV cameras from showing empty seats, so the whole broadcast looks smooth and full of people. Pretty cool, huh? They’re total pros at blending in!

A seat-filler shared her experience on Reddit, explaining how she was chosen from over 32,000 applicants. Throughout the evening, she moved around among celebrities like Justin and Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and Sza’s parents. She even had a brief interaction with Jamie Foxx, who complimented her appearance. She remembered him saying, “Looking beautiful tonight.” She wore a long, green velvet dress that many people noticed.

She described the experience as both thrilling and hectic. “Commercial breaks are pure chaos,” she explained. “As soon as the show cuts to commercials, everyone gets up and walks around. Then, about a minute before the show resumes, they all rush back to their seats—and that’s when we step in to help.”

I learned a lot about how they pick the people who fill seats at these events! They don’t get paid, and we actually had to give up our phones before going in. It’s pretty interesting – some were chosen because they looked like they fit the ‘LA vibe,’ scouted by agencies, and others were just randomly selected. Apparently, something awkward happened at a past show where someone kept staring at a celebrity, so this year they had a group of ‘preferred’ seat-fillers they felt more comfortable with.

Trevor Noah hosted the 2026 Grammys, where Bad Bunny won Album of the Year, Billie Eilish took home Song of the Year, and Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist. One of the seat-fillers shared what it was like being at the show – constantly moving around, quickly taking the places of returning celebrities, and even getting a great view for the last awards. She described the night as an unforgettable experience.

Although the evening turned out to be exciting, she confessed she’d been slightly worried that morning. She explained, “I felt a little anxious beforehand, but as soon as I got there, I was completely calm.” Being involved gave her a unique perspective on the performances, including those filmed in other locations and shown on screens, which highlighted just how complicated it was to put on a show like the Grammys.

Most people only see the glitz and celebrities, but there’s a whole team working behind the scenes to make sure the show looks full. Seat-fillers are responsible for keeping every chair occupied on camera. As one seat-filler explained, “It’s fascinating to see how the stage is prepared for each act and performance.”

Though often unseen by the TV audience, seat-fillers play a vital, if small, role in ensuring a smooth and polished broadcast for one of music’s biggest events.

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2026-02-05 11:15