French music producer and DJ Gesaffelstein (real name Mike Lévy) made a striking appearance on the red carpet at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, drawing widespread attention for his enigmatic, all-black ensemble that evoked comparisons to a mannequin.
The 40-year-old arrived in a sharply tailored black double-breasted tuxedo with peak lapels, structured shoulders, a crisp white dress shirt, black bow tie, and matching black trousers. What truly set the look apart was his signature glossy black face mask—covering his entire face and hair—paired with sleek black leather gloves. The high-shine, reflective mask erased any facial features or expression, creating an eerie, mannequin-like silhouette amid the usual glamour of the event.
Social media buzzed with reactions to the bold choice. Some users revived memories of the 2016 viral "Mannequin Challenge" trend, joking that Gesaffelstein had perfectly captured the frozen, statue-like energy. Others praised the high-fashion statement, calling it a deliberate extension of his mysterious persona, while a few debated whether the glossy black mask bordered on controversial interpretations like blackface—though most dismissed such claims, noting it's a longstanding element of his aesthetic, often crafted by specialists like Ironhead Studio (known for film creature masks). He reportedly requested photographers to limit flashes to avoid glare on the mask during poses.
The look aligned with Gesaffelstein's established image, which he has maintained during live performances and his 2024/2025 Gamma tour, where the mask became a visual hallmark emphasizing anonymity and intensity over personal celebrity.
Gesaffelstein's red carpet moment proved worthwhile, as he later claimed his first-ever Grammy Award in the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical category for his remix of Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra." The win came during the non-televised Premiere Ceremony, and he accepted it silently on stage—still wearing the full masked ensemble, including gloves—bowing deeply and blowing a kiss to the audience without delivering a verbal speech.
The remix, a chopped-up, dark electronic reworking of the original track from Gaga's 2025 album Mayhem, beat out strong competition including Kaytranada's remix of Mariah Carey's "Don't Forget About Us," Ron Trent's take on Soul II Soul's "A Dream's a Dream," Chris Lake's rework of The Chemical Brothers' "Galvanize," and David Guetta's remix of "Golden" by HUNTR/X.
Gesaffelstein has a deep collaborative history with Lady Gaga. He co-wrote and co-produced several tracks on Mayhem, including "Abracadabra" and "Killah," and served as a special guest during her Coachella 2025 performances promoting the album. The original "Abracadabra" also earned Gaga wins that night in Best Dance Pop Recording (accepted by producers Andrew Watt and Cirkut) and contributed to Mayhem's victory for Best Pop Vocal Album. Gesaffelstein's production work on the album additionally earned him a nomination in the Album of the Year category.
The Grammy marked a milestone for the French artist, known for his industrial, techno-influenced sound and collaborations with high-profile acts. His silent, masked acceptance underscored his preference for letting the music—and visuals—speak, consistent with his low-profile approach to fame.
The 2026 Grammys featured numerous memorable fashion and performance moments, but Gesaffelstein's combination of red carpet intrigue and award triumph stood out as one of the night's most distinctive stories, blending underground electronic roots with mainstream pop success.
