Addison Rae celebrates first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. [Image Source: INSIGHTSMAG]
The 2026 Grammy Awards will see a fresh wave of Best New Artist nominees, including some unexpected names like Addison Rae. The announcement, made ahead of the ceremony set for February 1 at L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena, has stirred the music world as Rae earns her first-ever Grammy nod following the release of her debut album. This Addison Rae Grammy nomination marks a significant milestone as she transitions from social media personality to recognized pop star.
The list of contenders for Best New Artist includes diverse talents such as Alex Warren, Leon Thomas, Sombr, Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, and Lola Young. Hosted by Trevor Noah in his final year behind the microphone, the night will celebrate the breakthroughs and artistic efforts of these newcomers. While the list highlights emerging musicians, it also reminds the industry of previous nominees like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Nicki Minaj, who have set a high bar in the category.
Highlighting the Newcomers to Watch at the Grammys
Among the nominees, Alex Warren stands out with a story shaped by hardship and resilience alongside musical talent. Warren began crafting songs in his youth after personal family tragedies deeply affected his life. His 2025 debut album, You’ll Be Alright Kid, soared to No. 5 on the Billboard 200, bolstered by the hit single “Ordinary.” As a founding member of the social media collective Hype House, Warren has merged online influence with musical artistry. Reflecting on his journey, he said,
Image of: Addison Rae
“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,”
—Alex Warren, Musician.
Leon Thomas brings a unique background as a former child actor and Broadway performer, known from ‘iCarly’ and ‘Victorious.’ His transition into music earned him recognition with the platinum-certified single “Mutt” and five Grammy nominations in total, including Album of the Year for Mutt. His collaborations with stars like Ariana Grande and Post Malone underscore his versatile talent. Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Sombr made waves after his 2022 release “Caroline” went viral, prompting him to leave high school and focus on music, leading to his debut album charting in the top 10 on Billboard.
The Diverse Paths of British Nominees
Several British artists feature prominently in the lineup, each bringing their distinctive flair and growing international acclaim. Lola Young, who gained her start through the UK talent show ‘Got What It Takes?,’ experienced a breakthrough with the single “Messy,” which topped charts both in the UK and the US. With a raw and relatable approach, her third album, I’m Only F–king Myself, reflects her honest style. She described her hit to Jimmy Fallon noting,
“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 Young, Singer.
Olivia Dean’s rise has been slow but steady, crowned as Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2021 before earning two Grammy nominations including Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year for “Man I Need.” A graduate of the prestigious Brit School, Dean’s musical roots span soul, jazz, and bossa nova. She explained her creative process in ELLE magazine, saying,
“I’ve always just made music that I hopefully would want to listen to. It’s really as simple as that… I love soul music. I love jazz. I love bossa nova. I am listening to it all the time.”
—Olivia Dean, Singer-songwriter.
The Emergence of Noteworthy Bands and Groups
The Grammy nomination category also embraces collective acts like The Marías and KATSEYE, each with distinct stories and sounds. After nearly a decade together, The Marías entered the Billboard Hot 100 with “No One Noticed,” a track described by lead singer María Zardoya as emotionally stirring and slow. The band celebrated their Best New Artist nomination on social media, writing,
“Your best new artist nominated band!!!! Sometimes it takes 10 years to blow up overnight. Proud of us.”
—The Marías, Band.
KATSEYE, formed during a competitive talent show in 2023, has rapidly gained recognition, including winning Push Performance of the Year at the 2025 MTV VMAs. The Los Angeles girl group, made up of six members, soaked in their first awards moment with gratitude. Lara Raj shared,
“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.”
—Lara Raj, KATSEYE member.
Addison Rae’s Journey from TikTok to Grammy Stage
Addison Rae’s Grammy nomination signals her successful effort in establishing credibility beyond viral fame. After captivating audiences on TikTok, she released her debut album Addison featuring popular tracks like “Diet Pepsi,”“Aquamarine,” and “High Fashion.” As an actress on the Netflix film ‘He’s All That,’ Rae pursued a music career that many initially doubted. She has opened up about the challenges she faced, stating,
“I think initially I was pretty let down by myself in a lot of ways because I had such high expectations. And then over time I just kind of completely let that go and released it.”
—Addison Rae, Singer and Actress.
Rae conveys determination despite skepticism toward her musical talents. She shared,
“I feel like I can do anything that I work hard at and put my mind to and I think that a lot of people didn’t feel that way about music from me, initially. Yeah, it was definitely hard at first to not give up on it. But I love it so much, it’s ingrained in my life.”
—Addison Rae, Singer and Actress.
Significance and Expectations for the 2026 Grammys
The 2026 Grammys will not only honor new talent but also underscore the evolving nature of fame and artistry in the digital age. The Best New Artist category especially illustrates this trend, featuring musicians who have leveraged social platforms, personal hardship, and diverse musical influences to break through traditional industry barriers. The mix of solo acts and groups, seasoned performers turned musicians, and fresh faces like Addison Rae speaks to the dynamic reshaping of the music scene.
This Grammy season promises intense competition and emotional performances, with hopefuls eager to prove their worth on music’s grandest stage. Hosted by Trevor Noah for a final time, the ceremony will spotlight artists whose stories and sounds reflect both challenge and opportunity. Winning this award often marks the beginning of major careers, and the impact of this year’s nominees could resonate far beyond the 2026 event.
