The Recording Academy revealed the official list of Grammy nominations for 2026 on November 7, spotlighting an impressive range of artists from emerging talents to established icons. Among the surprises is Addison Rae Grammy Nominee for Best New Artist, marking her first recognition by the prestigious music awards. The Grammy ceremony will take place on February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
The announcement involved well-known personalities including Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Sam Smith, and Lizzo, with appearances by the Osbourne family and performances by Jon Batiste, David Foster, and Mumford & Sons, creating an exciting atmosphere as the nominees were unveiled. Kendrick Lamar leads with nine nominations while Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Cirkut each received seven nods. Noteworthy contenders like Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Leon Thomas follow with six nominations each.
Spotlight on Best New Artist Nominees
Among the 95 categories, Best New Artist remains one of the most anticipated. Last year’s winner was Chappell Roan, but the 2026 contenders feature a diverse group of musicians including Addison Rae, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Sombr, Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, and Lola Young. This category often sparks discussion about whether it propels careers or becomes a challenging milestone.
Lola Young’s Journey to Stardom
British singer Lola Young first gained attention as a finalist on the U.K. talent show Got What It Takes? in 2016. She launched her music career with the 2019 single 6 Feet Under and steadily built her reputation. In 2023, her track Conceited charted at No. 63 in the U.K., but it was her 2024 hit Messy that gave her international acclaim, reaching No. 1 in both the U.K. and the U.S.
On The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Lola described Messy as
“a song that seems to resonate because people can relate,”
adding,
“it’s not everyday clean girl aesthetic. Some days, you haven’t washed your socks. You don’t need to wash your socks every day. It’s ridiculous.”
Lola has also released her third album titled I’m Only F–king Myself in 2025, which further solidified her global success.
Leon Thomas: From Child Actor to Grammy Contender
Leon Thomas’s career began on the stage and screen as a child, appearing in Broadway hits like The Lion King and the TV series Victorious. He transitioned into music, collaborating as a co-producer and co-writer with Ariana Grande on albums like Yours Truly and Christmas Kisses in 2013. Over the years, he has worked with artists including Post Malone, Kehlani, and Ty Dolla $ign.
Leon’s 2018 single Favorite gained traction, but his 2024 track Mutt was a breakout success, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning double platinum certification by October 2025. In addition to Best New Artist, Leon has five more Grammy nominations this year, including Best R&B Album and Album of the Year for Mutt.
Addison Rae’s Breakthrough Recognition
TikTok star and actress Addison Rae is experiencing a new chapter as a Grammy nominee. Although she is widely known for her social media presence and acting role in He’s All That, her nomination for Best New Artist highlights her growth as a singer. Her debut album, Addison, released recently, features popular songs such as Diet Pepsi, Aquamarine, High Fashion, Headphones On, and Fame Is a Gun.
The Marías: A Decade of Persistence
Indie pop band The Marías, led by María Zardoya and consisting of members Josh Conway, Jesse Perlman, and Edward James, have finally made their mark on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single No One Noticed, which peaked at No. 22. María described the song in a 2025 interview with Billboard as,
“pretty emotional, and kind of slow”
, expressing,
“It gives me hope that people are still open to listening to a song over and over that makes them cry.”
Celebrating their Grammy nod for Best New Artist, the band posted on Instagram,
“Your best new artist nominated band!!!! Sometimes it takes 10 years to blow up overnight. Proud of us.”
KATSEYE’s Rise Through Reality and Recognition
Los Angeles girl group KATSEYE, formed in 2023 on the talent show The Debut: Dream Academy and featured in the 2024 Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, is composed of Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Manon Bannerman, Daniela Avanzini, Yoonchae Jeong, and Sophia Laforteza. In 2025, they showcased their hit songs Gnarly and Gabriella at the MTV VMAs pre-show and won Push Performance of the Year for their song Touch.
During their acceptance speech, Lara said,
“This is all very new to us. This is our first time ever doing this. We’ve been through a lot together. So, having this moment feels so rewarding and feels like everything has paid off and fuels us to keep going.”
Alex Warren’s Triumph Over Personal Hardship
Alex Warren, 25, received his first Best New Artist nomination after enduring difficult personal losses. Motivated by the deaths of his father and mother—who struggled with addiction and passed when Alex was young—his music reflects these experiences. Speaking to Billboard, he shared,
“My career is amazing, but at the same time, I think everything that I’ve lost—my parents, my childhood—that’s just something that has led me to be the person I am today, the musician I am today,”
followed by,
“and I have a story to tell and hopefully [can] help some people.”
His debut album You’ll Be Alright Kid (2025) reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200, with the single Ordinary topping the Hot 100. Outside music, Alex is also a social media influencer and a founder of Hype House.
Sombr’s Unexpected Grammy Moment
New York native Sombr, born Shane Michael Boose, rose quickly after the viral success of his 2022 track Caroline, which catapulted him into the spotlight. Reflecting on the moment, he told People in April,
“The next morning, my life was changed,”
adding,
“Every record label was in my email inbox.”
He followed up with the 2023 EP In Another Life and his 2025 debut album I Barely Know Her, which reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and featured singles like Back to Friends and Undressed. His stage name cleverly references his initials SMB.
Olivia Dean’s Steady Ascent to Prominence
British singer Olivia Dean has steadily built momentum, earning two Grammy nominations for 2026: Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year (non-classical) for her hit Man I Need. A graduate of The Brit School, alma mater to Adele and Amy Winehouse, Olivia was named Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2021.
Her debut album Messy climbed to No. 4 in the U.K. in 2023, followed by her 2025 sophomore album The Art of Loving, which hit No. 1. Olivia is recognized as the first British female to have three U.K. top 10 singles since Adele.
Describing her musical style in an interview with ELLE, Olivia said,
“I’ve always just made music that I hopefully would want to listen to. It’s really as simple as that,”
and added,
“I love soul music. I love jazz. I love bossa nova. I am listening to it all the time. I’m not like, ‘I’m going to make this jazzy, soul music because that will be cool.’ I just like it.”
What This Means for Addison Rae and the Music Industry
Addison Rae’s nomination signals her transition from viral digital star to a serious contender in the music world, illustrating how social media platforms can launch multifaceted careers. Her inclusion among seasoned artists such as Leon Thomas and Olivia Dean reflects a dynamic Grammy field blending emerging talents with established acts. As the ceremony approaches, anticipation builds around whether these nominees will translate recognition into lasting influence.
Watching these artists compete for Best New Artist and other categories offers insight into evolving music trends and the expanding definition of stardom. The February Grammy event will not only honor outstanding achievements but will also likely shape the trajectories of these nominees in coming years.
