This year's Grammy Awards seemed to be all about women. The Recording Academy held the event Sunday night in Los Angeles, California. At last year's ceremony, the organization’s chief, Neil Portnow, said women need to "step up" to deal with the lack of women nominated for the major awards. Many stepped up and onto center stage this year. Early in Sunday's ceremony came a surprise appearance by former American first lady Michelle Obama. Along with artists Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith and Alicia Keyes, Obama told the crowd what music meant to her. "From the Motown records I wore out on the Southside to the 'Who Run the World' songs that fueled me through this last decade, music has always helped me tell my story." Obama also said, "Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves, our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys." Keyes was the host of Sunday's 61st annual Grammy Awards, which honors some of the year's best music.