The music industry’s largest event returned this year with class and controversy, leaving many people stunned. Created in 1958, the Grammy Awards are offered yearly by the Recording Academy to recognize artists and musicians in the recording arts and sciences, foster the well-being of the music community and ensure that music remains an indelible part of our culture through a nomination and voting process.
The 2026 Grammys were contentious, to say the least. From outward political statements to record-breaking awards, this show was one for the books. Song of the Year went to Billie Eilish for “Wildflower,” a slower, more emotional ballad. After the 2025 Grammys, where Eilish was outvoted in each category for her seven Grammy nominations, many Billie Eilish fans were overjoyed for her achievements in 2026. However, some discourse has circulated about the consideration of “Wildflower” because it technically should not have been nominated for this year’s award season, as its release date, May 17, 2024, falls outside the consideration range of Aug. 31, 2024, and Aug. 30, 2025. Others believe the Song of the Year should have gone to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” or Bad Bunny’s “DtMF.” Many people thought Sabrina Carpenter was especially robbed, as she received zero out of the six possible Grammys she could’ve received.
However, other awards were considered well-deserved or even overdue. Bad Bunny took home the Album of the Year award for his new album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.” This was a huge accomplishment for the Latino community as this album is the first all-Spanish album to win this award.
The musical performances were truly works of art this year, as many newer artists took the stage with confidence and grace. It was a breakthrough year for new artists, such as Olivia Dean and Addison Rae. The Best New Artist award went to Olivia Dean, well-deserved after her success in her album “The Art of Loving.” Though many “eyekons” believed it should have gone to KATSEYE, a global girl group. 2026 marked a year of immense talent, but, unfortunately, the Academy could only award so many trophies.
With every Grammy Awards comes fashion statements. On the red carpet, many looks had an impact. Several celebrities, including Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, Kehlani, Joni Mitchell and Finneas, were seen wearing ICE Out pins and also spoke out against ICE during their acceptance speeches. Other outfits also brought a lot of attention to the carpet. One of those looks was Chappel Roan’s dress. She wore a 1998 vintage Mugler dress with a sheer design that drew attention for its translucency. Bad Bunny wore the first-ever custom Schiaparelli suit for menswear, including a cinched waist and a corset detail on the back. Doechii wore a custom Roberto Cavalli, bringing many mixed opinions, with some saying they loved the bold colors and details, but others saying none of it went together.
The red carpet was not the only controversial part of the night. Host Noah Trevor faced backlash for his comments throughout the show. Because it was his final year as a host, he wanted to end with a bang and share his insights on everything happening in the world right now, including his thoughts on many political conflicts, the main one being immigration policies.
In the end, the 2026 Grammys captured the spirit of the year in music, celebrating the moments, performances, and artists that defined it, while also providing a platform for influential figures to share their beliefs with a wider audience. The prevalence of political statements by artists this season transformed the entertainment industry’s glitz and glamour into a broader cultural moment.
