You may have watched the "Grammy Nominations Concert Live!" on CBS, but here's what you didn't see after the show at the Conga Room in Los Angeles, where numerous stars spoke to the press about their nominations.
Eminem, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga Lead Grammy Nominations
1. With seven Grammy nominations this year, Bruno Mars didn't hesitate to pat himself on the back in the press room following the announcement show. On several occasions, the artist made reporters ask him several times how it felt to be nominated in so many categories. Each time, he would smile and brush his shoulder with smug satisfaction. Jokes aside, Bruno Mars isn't taking the honors for granted. "It's a little surreal," he said with sincerity. "We're thankful." On working with Cee Lo Green on the Grammy-nominated track "F**k You," Mars recalled the soul singer's passion in the studio. "He just sang the shit out of it, basically. Man, that guy deserves that one." Who would Mars like to collaborate with in the future? Alicia Keys, Prince and Kings of Leon.
2. Four years ago, Paramore singer Hayley Williams never would've pictured herself being featured on a hip-hop song. (She's featured on B.o.B.'s "Airplanes, Part II," nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals). "I love hip-hop, but I never would've imagined it," she said. "But you can never say never." And what is Williams' favorite song of 2010? "Just the Way You Are," by Bruno Mars. Could a possible collaboration be in the works?
3. R&B singer Monica said she hasn't been nominated for a Grammy Award since 1999. So being nominated this year for Best R&B Album for her latest set, "Still Standing," was a bit of a shocker. "I was not expecting anything. I have not been a part of the Grammys, as far as being nominated, since 1999," she said. "So at 16 years old, I didn't understand what it means. Now at 30, I'm in shock that I'm considered being nominated."
2010 Grammys Central
4. Rapper B.o.B. may have five Grammy nods under his belt, but what was the highlight for him in 2010? "Probably performing for Barack Obama at the National Gen44 Summit, and opening up for Jay-Z and Eminem at stadiums," he said. And he couldn't forget to mention the release of his debut album, "B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray." "It was something way past due, so I'm glad it happened," the rapper said.
5. Looking dapper in a shiny gray suit, a white v-neck and a diamond-covered cross necklace, Cee Lo Green, nominated for four Grammys, including Record of the Year for "F**k You," said he'll likely tour behind new album "The Lady Killer" in 2011. The first stop will be Australia. Cee Lo also revealed that he'd be collaborating with Danger Mouse on the third Gnarls Barkely album in the coming year. He admitted that he never expected "F**k You" to become such a hit, let alone a song that would receive a Grammy nod. ""wasn't meant to be a radio song, initially," he said. "It really took on a life of its own."
6. TV viewers probably didn't notice that Miranda Lambert's dress was covered with tiny mirrors, which blinded many of the press room folks when the obnoxiously bright lights reflected them. Aside from that, Lambert, whose "The House that Built Me" is nominated for Song of the Year, said that she emotionally lost it the first time she heard the tune. "I started bawling," she said. "It takes a lot to get me to a crying point when I listen to music."
7. If Cee Lo Green performs "F**k You" at this year's Grammy Awards show, how will it be handled? "When it comes to broadcast television, there are rules and regulations," Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow said. "It really has nothing to do with the Academy. It's mandated by the government. We'll deal with that the way we have to. But we believe in free speech and First Amendment rights. We support the rights of artists who create and speak their minds. We'll deal with it so that we're in the law, but also within the framework of the music and presenting the essence of what was really an amazing song."
8. What is LL Cool J's favorite song with Auto-Tune? "You have to ask T-Pain that question," he said. "You'll probably get a more credible answer.
9. Jimmy Jam revealed a little-known fact about Justin Bieber following the evening's Grammy nominations announcement. The teen pop sensation is amazing at "Guitar Hero." Jimmy Jam also revealed that all the original members of the Time plan release a new album in February.
10. Late-night TV host Craig Ferguson's highlight of 2010 would've been his Grammy nomination in the Best Spoken Word Album for "American on Purpose." But he couldn't tell the press room that. "Do you want me to say Grammy my nomination? 'Cause I can't, because my wife is pregnant." When told he was up against such greats as Carol Burnett and Woody Allen, Ferguson responded, "I'm the crappiest person on this thing."
