Why Does Raye Performs Without Shoes: The Meaning Behind It

Raye is already on the stage for the 2025 Grammy Awards, stunning everyone with her powerful set of pipes and captivating stage presence, but you accidentally notice that she is performing barefoot. The British singer nominated for Best New Artist performs without shoes which has become her trademark. She does not wear footwear while performing live, during festivals, or even at big award shows. This aspect of her performing style has not changed and tonight’s performance at the Grammys is no different. 

But why does Raye choose to perform without shoes? Could it be a personal decision? Or perhaps a symbolic gesture? To answer this question let us look deeper into her story and the impact it has made on her as an artist. 

Raye’s Iconic Barefoot Performances: A Timeline

By March 2024, Raye’s shoeless performances began to draw attention during the BRIT Awards, turning her into a talking point of the occasion. That night, she eclipsed everyone else with six awards-the most any solo artist has ever won in a single night continuing her performance with none of her shoes on in “Ice Cream Man,” “Prada,” and “Escapism.”

She doesn’t care about bringing shoes along with her while performing. She was last seen on stage barefooted as early as May 2023. Over time, this ceased to be just an occasional preference — it became her hallmark.

To illustrate this, given below are some of her most outstanding performances while being barefoot:

  • BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2023 (May 28, 2023, Dundee, Scotland)  
  • Mercury Prize 2023 (September 7, 2023, London, England) 
  • The GRAMMY Museum (September 11, 2023, Los Angeles, California)   
  • BRIT Awards 2024 (March 2, 2024, London, England)   
  • Saturday Night Live (SNL) (April 6, 2024, New York, USA)   
  • Coachella Music Festival 2024 (April 13 & 20, 2024, Indio, California)   

Thus, by the end of 2024, Raye had cemented the barefoot identity at the crux of her brand. 

Also read : Grammy Nominees 2025 Revealed: Celebrating Music’s Best

Why Does Raye Perform Without Shoes on Grammy 2025? 

There could be many reasons why Raye chooses to perform in her bare feet. Some people think that choice is for comfort. Others think it may be a protest against an industry convention. Let’s break it down.

1. Comfort and Connection with the Stage

For Raye, dancing is much better with no shoes on. As she said during an interview with Christina Aguilera for Rolling Stone back in October 2024: 

“Me, I have this perception that whenever I put on shoes, I am thinking about putting on shoes. Am I weird?”

Thus walking barefoot allows her to concentrate on the music while she is performing. It also helps her connect with the stage; therefore, each performance becomes meaningful to her.

2. A Rejection of Industry Norms

The music world has a double standard for women, especially when it comes to their dress and physical beauty. For every girl who has performed, wearing high heels on stage has become the norm for decades.

But Raye seems unbothered by these rules and chooses to break them. By performing without any shoes, she defies the traditional dress code of performers and accepts what makes her comfortable.

Christina Aguilera praised her for this. 

“I’ve already f*cked up my legs and my feet so bad with all this high-heel nonsense… I never had the balls to just do it.”

In that light, Raye’s barefoot performances could also convey encouragement to many other performers willing to embrace their individuality and express themselves.

3. A Symbol of Freedom and Authenticity 

Raye’s initiation into the music business was anything but smooth. She was initially signed to a record label, which for several years blocked her release of any albums. However, after successfully gaining control over her music, Raye released “My 21st Century Blues,” which went on to garner great success.

So perhaps barefoot events symbolize her liberation from a constraining industry. Just like how she freed herself from the shackles of the industry, she now enjoys free artistic expression.

4. Pure Habit and Preference

Raye’s performances shifted towards shoeless ones over an extended period of time. The last time she was seen performing in boots was August in the year 2023, but by the end of 2023 and going into 2024, she was fully performing barefoot.

From this, it shows that going shoeless is probably something that is second nature to her.

How Fans and Fellow Artists Reacted

Raye’s decision to perform barefoot has received a flurry of online opinions, ranging from positive to negative. 

Reactions on Social Media:

Supportive Fans
  • “Barefoot performing? ICONIC! Love how Raye casts aside industry norms.” 
  • “Raye doing her set barefoot makes so much sense now.” 
Skeptical Fans
  • “I love her music; however, I can’t stop thinking about her being barefoot on all these stages.” 
  • “Sure comfort, but what about cleanliness?”
Support from Fellow Artists
  • Christina Aguilera praised her in Rolling Stone.
  • Lana Del Rey called it “refreshing.”
  • Sam Smith and Billie Eilish have also commended Raye for being so unapologetically herself.

Steadily, it’s apparent that her vivid performances certainly do have influence, whether you adore them or are doubtful of their intentions. 

Does Raye Wear Shoes at All?

Of course! Raye does wear shoes during interviews and for her press-and-red-carpet duties.  

For example, Onstage at the 2024 BRIT Awards, she took her heels off. 

At Coachella 2024 she arrived in stylish boots, which she kicked off onstage.

So this means her barefoot performances are calculated artistic and not just mindless actions on her part.

Also read : Game Awards 2024 Nominees: Celebrating Diversity and Innovation in Gaming

Final Thoughts

For Raye, like in any performance, there is a reason why she goes barefoot and it has everything to do with a sense of freedom, self-assurance, and staying true to oneself. Rejecting industry standards is something that both her fans and peers respect. 

There is no doubt while she continues to break barriers and reshape pop music, that she will do it barefoot.