A woman who served as a seat-filler at the 2026 Grammy Awards has shared an eye-opening glimpse into what really happens behind the scenes when the cameras stop rolling. For those unfamiliar, seat-fillers are individuals tasked with occupying empty seats left by celebrities during televised events, ensuring the audience looks full and vibrant.
Out of some 32,000 applicants, this lucky woman was selected to spend the evening moving among A-listers in Los Angeles, even receiving a compliment from Jamie Foxx who told her she was “looking beautiful.” In total, 350 seat-fillers were employed, shifting between locations across the venue to fill vacant seats as needed.
Describing her experience on Reddit, she called it “the most surreal night” and recounted “absolute chaos” during commercial breaks when attendees scramble to their places. She spent much of the evening “on the main floor,” calling it a “once in a lifetime experience.”
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The Grammys, heralded as music’s biggest night, drew top talent in 2026, including Bad Bunny, who won Album of the Year; Billie Eilish, awarded Song of the Year; and British newcomer Olivia Dean, named Best New Artist. The ceremony was hosted by comedian Trevor Noah.
Seat-fillers are unpaid and must surrender their phones upon entering the venue. The woman shared that stage setups constantly shifted to accommodate different performances, some of which were pre-recorded and shown on monitors instead of livestreamed.
Upon arrival, she was quickly seated front and centre with fellow seat-fillers near stars like Justin and Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, and Miley Cyrus. However, moments before the live broadcast, Lady Gaga’s guests claimed that table, forcing them to relocate. Later, she found a prime spot behind main tables, next to SZA’s parents, offering excellent views of the stage.
As the evening drew toward its finale, she found herself seated between Sabrina Carpenter and Lady Gaga’s tables, right in front as Harry Styles presented an award and Bad Bunny accepted.
Her striking full-length green velvet gown earned praise, particularly from Jamie Foxx. She joked this would be a memorable fun fact to share in future social settings.
Though initially anxious, she felt at ease once the event started. Regarding selection, she explained the process involves submitting a headshot but is largely a lottery. Some seat-fillers were chosen through casting agencies to fit a “super LA” look, yet the group was diverse. After a previous incident where a seat-filler made a celebrity uncomfortable by staring, preferred seat-fillers were introduced this year to maintain decorum.
Ultimately, her night as a Grammys seat-filler was a captivating blend of glamour, chaos, and once-in-a-lifetime moments that few get to witness beyond the cameras' glare.