Durand Bernarr says Uncle Bobby Tiny Desk moment almost didn't happen

R&B star Durand Bernarr walked the red carpet at the 67th Grammy Awards ceremony after receiving his first-ever nomination from the Recording Academy in the Best Progressive R&B Album category.

Out spoke with Bernarr (and his beautiful mother!) on the red carpet, where the singer-songwriter revealed he found out about his nomination while on an airplane. "I was seated, in my seat on my flight, so I couldn't do anything, and there was no Wi-Fi. It was very much excitement, constipation, and sweating the entire time."

Bernarr, 36, went on to reflect on what the nomination means to him at this stage in his career. "I've been doing this for 20 years this year independently, so it's very much keep going," he tells Out. "You don't know what the result is going to be. Just to be acknowledged, just to be in the space... both my parents are here, my mom is my +1. It's just been a full weekend."

The singer also shared some empowering words for the LGBTQ+ community, which is being targeted by conservative agendas going into 2025.

"I think it's important that we keep in mind our environment that we're in, because that definitely plays a part on your nervous system, the state that it's in. Also, the company you keep. I don't take acceptance. I don't need anybody to accept me. I feel like acceptance requires permission. It's more so being around people that embrace you and inspire you to be better, not trying to make you something that they want you to be. If we can at least get those two together, then everything else will fall into place."

Almost two years ago, Bernarr went viral for performing on NPR's Tiny Desk performance while dressed as The Proud Family character Uncle Bobby. The moment has become incredibly iconic, but the singer tells Out that it almost didn't happen.

"Someone we all know and loved didn't let me trick or treat growing up," says Bernarr, playfully side-eyeing his mom. "So it was very much allowing my inner child to play and dress up in things that I would've wanted to do. I was going to be Popeye at first, but Mel was like, 'Friend, this is going to be cemented forever. Proud Family has already done the reboot. it's already iconic. She made a good choice with that."