“I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.” - Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean is the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Grammy for Best New Artist award and from the moment she stepped onto the stage for her performance of “Man I Need”, she was glowing effervescently, like an angel in the wind brought to the stage to bring warmth to Grammys history.

Her voice has that effect, sometimes I question whether she’s even real or if she’s divine. Based off audience reaction, she was the clear favourite from the new artist performance medley so when she did eventually take home the award, you could feel the beaming pride from your living room. But Olivia’s speech is what truly stole the show as she joined the list of many artists who spoke out against ICE.

 

Another artist breathing life into R&B except this time with a touch of rock’n’roll is my own personal favourite, Leon Thomas. Leon’s rock star touch that he brings to all his live performances has become a signature of his ascent. I especially appreciated him interpolating the line “feel like I just got off the stage at the Grammys” from his track “How Fast” that he sampled in the intro to his performance of “Mutt”. Aside from his showstopping performance, Leon also took part in the D’Angelo tribute and won two Grammys of his own, one for Best Traditional R&B Performance and the other for Best R&B Album, both in the pre-telecast where he tells the audience how “live music, live R&B is worth it”. For a genre that historically is underrepresented in the Grammy nominations, Leon holds down the fort.

Maybe the biggest shock win of the evening goes to newcomer Lola Young who beat out Bieber, Sabrina, Gaga, and Chappell for the Best Pop Solo Performance trophy. Lola won for her hit “Messy” and delivered one of the cheekiest and least media trained speeches in Grammy history and it made me so happy for her. You can see the genuine shock in her body when she jumps up from her seat to go accept the award. I also am particularly fond of artists who swear on “live” TV, even though it is CBS so that inevitable five-second delay was very much in play. It may have been a shock but it was still very much deserved as “Messy” was one of the catchiest pop songs that were in rotation last year.

Her performance of “Messy” featured her taking a more emotional and stripped back approach, opting to perform it behind a piano, and there was not a dry eye in the house. Lola was clearly shaking with emotion and it even moved Benito to tears.

Lola is only just returning to the stage after taking a six-month hiatus due to physical and emotional exhaustion, which came to a head when she fainted during a live performance last summer. Last night was a triumphant return for an artist with her whole career ahead of her.

This is the second time the Grammys have done a full medley of all Best New Artist nominees and one of the best parts about it is the opportunity for all genres to shine because what do you mean even the artists for the gays are getting their spotlight? In case you aren’t automatically aware of who I’m referring to, it’s Addison Rae and KATSEYE. I don’t care what anyone has to say about Addison, I’ve come to the conclusion that she is for the gays and if you are straight, you just don’t get it. Her on-stage charisma and devotion to the ghost of popstars past is like a page out of a gay man’s diary, and I’m living for it. She delivers a club-ready performance of “Fame Is A Gun” set in the backstage area of the ceremony before the show transitions into KATSEYE doing their viral hit “GNARLY”. I may hate that song, but they danced their asses off and gave me life. Although the thought did enter my mind that Chaka Kahn is really in the audience watching Addison Rae and KATSEYE perform – the things I would do to know what her thoughts were on that, LOL.

Addison’s white red carpet look was giving me elements of Bjork’s iconic swan dress from the 2001 Oscars, and her pin-up doll persona on the carpet was just darling. She may not have won any awards but just the fact that the Recording Academy is recognizing her genre of pop is validating to me as a fan, to know that pop performance does get taken seriously. Those who get it, get it, and I’m unapologetic about it.

It wasn’t all sunshine and Grammys though for the new artist contenders. The Marias while vocally strong, ultimately underwhelmed with their low-key performance, matching the energy that they were bringing to the category to begin with. It was giving filler. TikToker Alex Warren performed his mega hit “Ordinary” and while the crowd was with him with their lights up, it was clear that his singing was way off beat with the music, likely due to an in-ear issue, and it had me feeling quite sorry for him. If the Grammys are going to be putting on these mega performances for new artists, the least that they could do is set them up for success. Alex didn’t stand a chance from the second he couldn’t hear himself, every singer’s worst nightmare. Then, it all just got a little cringe when Sombr came onstage in what I can only describe as a wannabe Freddy Mercury get up. Last year we had Benson Boone, this year we have Sombr. It seems that the Freddy wannabe is about to become a yearly occurrence.

Through the high and lows however, it’s incredible to see how many new artists have managed to break through the doors into the music business this year. This is the second year that this category has been stacked with artists that have achieved immense critical and commercial success, a feat that has been a rarity for the Best New Artist category in previous years. For many years it seemed we were thirsting for new artists that could push boundaries and make a real impact, and now were in a wondrous surplus of that very idea. Olivia’s win and this entire medley only excites me more for what the future of music will and can be.

Olivia Dean, Leon Thomas, Addison Rae at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards

Lola Young and Katseye at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards

Photo credits:  ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA/WENN, JILL CONNELLY/EPA/David Fisher/Shutterstock

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