Adele radiant on carpet, Minaj goes Catholic

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The 54th annual Grammy awards started with a celebrity-packed red carpet.

Adele arrived - making her first appearance after having surgery for throat complications last year - in a sequined Giorgio Armani.

Katy Perry's hair matched her periwinkle dress. It's the singer's first major public appearance since announcing her separation from husband Russell Brand.

Nicki Minaj went Catholic - wearing a punked-out nun's habit as she was escorted by a Pope look-alike.

Rihanna went blond, walking the carpet in a sleek backless dress; Fergie took on tangerine, wearing a see-through outfit with black lingerie; and Taylor Swift sparkled in a champagne-colored gown.

On the more radical side of the carpet, Russian singer Sasha Gradiva brought out the big guns, literally, while electronic music star Deadmau5 wore his trademark character head.