Before the red carpet cameras zoomed in and the first televised performance hit the stage, the 2026 Grammy Awards were already delivering big moments.
Music’s biggest night kicked off with Lady Gaga stealing early headlines, proving that sometimes the real drama starts long before the live broadcast begins.
Lady Gaga’s Early Victory Sets the Tone
Lady Gaga walked into Grammy Sunday as a clear force to be reckoned with.
Even before she made her striking red-carpet appearance, the 39-year-old superstar had already picked up two awards.
Her hit track Abracadabra earned Best Dance Pop Recording, beating out strong contenders like Selena Gomez and benny blanco, Zara Larsson, Tate McRae, and PinkPantheress.
As if that wasn’t enough, the same song also took home Best Remixed Recording thanks to a dark, club-ready rework by French producer Gesaffelstein.
It was an early reminder that Gaga’s creative reach still stretches effortlessly across pop and electronic music.
Los Angeles Becomes the Center of the Music World
By Sunday evening, the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles was buzzing as the industry’s biggest names gathered to celebrate the 68th Grammy Awards.
The night opened with a high-energy performance from Bruno Mars and Rosé, who brought their chart-topping collaboration APT to life and immediately set an electric tone for the show.
Trevor Noah Returns With Jokes, Praise, and a Few Jabs
Trevor Noah stepped back into hosting duties for the sixth year in a row, and according to him, this would be his final turn at the Grammy helm.
He warmed up the crowd by openly fangirling over legends like Reba McEntire while also acknowledging stars such as Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus.
True to form, Noah also slipped in a few sharp jokes, even poking fun at Nicki Minaj’s recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump — despite Minaj not being in attendance.
Sabrina Carpenter Brings a Theatrical Moment to the Stage
One of the night’s standout performances came from Sabrina Carpenter, who delivered an airline-themed rendition of her hit Manchild.
The playful, polished performance reinforced why Carpenter has become one of pop’s most reliable scene-stealers, especially following the success of her album Man’s Best Friend.
How to Watch and Who Led the Nominations
The ceremony aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, bringing “Music’s Biggest Night” to fans worldwide.
When nominations were announced back in November, Kendrick Lamar led the pack with nine nods, followed closely by Lady Gaga with seven.
Producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut also matched Gaga’s total, underlining just how influential behind-the-scenes creators have become.
New Grammy Categories Shake Things Up
This year, the Recording Academy introduced two brand-new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover.
The country split came after debates sparked by Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter success in 2025, officially separating traditional country sounds from contemporary ones.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. explained that the goal was simple — to better reflect today’s musical landscape and ensure deserving artists are recognized accurately.
The Big Four Categories Bring Heavy Competition
Album of the Year was stacked with heavy hitters, including Kendrick Lamar’s GNX, Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, Justin Bieber’s SWAG, and Tyler, the Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA.
Lamar made history yet again with GNX, marking his fifth consecutive studio album nominated for Album of the Year — a feat no other artist has achieved.
He also landed Record of the Year and Song of the Year nominations for luther featuring SZA, placing him firmly at the center of the night’s biggest races.
Justin Bieber’s Long-Awaited Grammy Return
Justin Bieber’s presence added extra excitement.
The pop star returned to the Grammy stage for the first time in four years and earned four nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for SWAG.
Adding a layer of intrigue, Bieber’s ex, Selena Gomez, was also in attendance alongside her husband and collaborator Benny Blanco.
Their joint nomination meant the former couple crossed paths under one very glamorous roof.
Why Taylor Swift Was Missing From the List
One of the most noticeable absences this year was Taylor Swift.
Despite releasing The Life of a Showgirl in 2025, the album missed the eligibility window by just two months.
That timing technicality kept Swift — a perennial Grammy favorite — out of the 2026 nominations entirely.
A Night Defined by Range, Firsts, and Global Sounds
Across 95 categories, the 2026 Grammys highlighted just how broad today’s music scene has become.
From first-time nominees like Tate McRae, Zara Larsson, and PinkPantheress to global stars like Bad Bunny and Burna Boy, the awards celebrated pop, rap, rock, jazz, classical, gospel, African music, and everything in between.
The winners list reflected that diversity, with major victories spread across genres rather than concentrated in just a few hands.
What Comes After a Grammy Night Like This?
With Lady Gaga already stacking trophies, Kendrick Lamar chasing historic wins, and newer stars stepping confidently into the spotlight, the 2026 Grammys felt less like a conclusion and more like a checkpoint.
As the industry looks ahead, one thing feels clear: this year’s ceremony didn’t just reward past success — it set the stage for where music is heading next.
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