British singer‑songwriter Olivia Dean has been crowned Best New Artist at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The 26‑year‑old’s emotional win capped off a night of big wins for some of music’s biggest stars, including Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar.
Dean, known for her soulful vocals and genre‑blending sound, beat a strong field of nominees that included KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young and Sombr. Her sophomore album The Art of Loving — featuring hits like “Man I Need,” “Nice to Each Other” and “Lady Lady” — helped fuel her rise and connect with global audiences.
Overcome with emotion as her name was called, Dean took the stage to accept one of music’s most prestigious honors. In her acceptance speech she paid tribute to her family and heritage, saying she stood “as a granddaughter of an immigrant” and that she is “a product of bravery,” drawing cheers from the audience.
Before winning, Dean showcased her talent during a special Best New Artist segment that featured performances from all eight nominees. Her Grammy win not only marks a significant milestone in her career but continues a remarkable run for solo female artists in the Best New Artist category.
The wider ceremony celebrated a range of musical achievements, with Kendrick Lamar and SZA winning Record of the Year, Bad Bunny taking Album of the Year, and Billie Eilish honored for Song of the Year.
For Dean, the 2026 Grammy victory affirms her growing influence on pop and soul music and sets the stage for a major year ahead.
