Ben Winston begged Trevor Noah to return for one last Grammys

Grammys producer Ben Winston has revealed he had to beg Trevor Noah to host the music awards for one final time.

The Recording Academy confirmed earlier this month that the 41-year-old comedian will return as host for a sixth consecutive year on February 1. 

Winston admitted that finding a replacement had proven impossible, prompting him to send Trevor a desperate video plea.

"After last year's show, he respectfully said, 'Look, I've done a great five years, it's time to hand the microphone off to somebody else,'" Winston said, adding, "It got to December, and we hadn't found anybody that we absolutely loved. I sent him a video—I was literally on my knees—and I said, 'Please look at this incredible lineup we've got on the show. The only thing missing is you. Come back and do one final year.'"

Winston confessed the wait for Trevor's response was nerve-wracking. "It was the longest I've ever waited for a text to come," he admitted.

The Emmy-winning producer praised Trevor's passion for music and his ability to elevate the Grammys. 

"He's as excited to be in the middle of that room as we all are to watch it," Winston said. "The gravitas, sensibility, and emotional intelligence he brings really has changed the tone of our show."

Trevor has previously shared the effort he puts into preparing for the Grammys. 

"Telling a joke is like jumping out of an airplane with a parachute. You have an idea of where you'd like to land, but when you get close to the ground, you might be a little off," he told People in 2024. "I just work my a** off, try and think of the funniest things to say, and the rest I leave to God."