Olivia Dean Shares Emotional Moment After Winning Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys: Honoring Her Immigrant Grandparents
Grammy Awards 2026: Olivia Dean Crowned Best New Artist
Olivia Dean received the prestigious Grammy Award for Best New Artist during the 2026 Grammy Awards held on February 1. The 26-year-old British singer-songwriter expressed her disbelief and gratitude, stating, "I never really imagined that I would be up here, let alone nominated."
The nominees for this year’s Best New Artist category included KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young.
Before the announcement of her victory, Dean shared the stage with other nominees as last year’s winner, Chappell Roan, presented the award. During her acceptance speech, Dean emphasized the importance of her team, saying, "An artist is really nothing without their team. Emily, my best friend, my manager, we’ve been doing this for 10 years. So this is for you, too, my family."
She also took a moment to acknowledge her heritage, stating, "I guess I want to say I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here — I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We’re nothing without each other."
Dean has won acclaim with her hits “Man I Need” and “Nice to Each Other.” Her genre-blending music combines elements of soul and pop, propelling her to significant chart success. “Man I Need” reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Her latest album, The Art of Loving, debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 4.
In an emotional moment, Dean remarked on the significance of the award: “Thank you so much,” drawing a passionate response from the audience.
As Dean celebrates her momentous win, she has established herself as a key figure in the music industry, with fellow nominees like KATSEYE also making waves. The girl group, formed on the Dream Academy show, garnered attention for their unique sound and visuals.
With multiple breakout artists featured this year, the Grammy Awards continue to highlight the incredible talent emerging in the music industry, making it a night to remember for all involved.
