Although they have yet to release an album, six-member girl group KATSEYE has already racked up a passionate global fanbase. Those fans have eagerly followed KATSEYE's journey so far, which span nearly three years and multiple continents.

KATSEYE is the result of a highly anticipated, first-of-its-kind partnership between American label Geffen Records — which counts Olivia Rodrigo and Camila Cabello on its roster — and HYBE Entertainment, best known as the home of BTS and subject of a new GRAMMY Museum exhibit. Thanks to the collaboration between two cultures with a track record of turning artists into household names, KATSEYE's Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Yoonchae, and Megan are poised for the global stage.

"This is the most ambitious project both HYBE and Geffen have ever been involved in," Geffen Records President Tom March (now Chairman and CEO of Capitol Records) said during a 2023 press conference, per Weverse Magazine. "We are hoping to create something that genuinely moves culture with a group that makes magazine covers and headlines festivals." 

Ahead of the Aug. 16 release of their debut album SIS (Soft Is Strong), GRAMMY.com rounded up everything you need to know about the rising stars, from their in-depth training process to their global roots.

They Competed Against More Than 100,000 Hopefuls

In late 2021, HYBE and Geffen kicked off a worldwide search for potential members of the group that would become KATSEYE. "In the city of dreams where stars are born, an unprecedented girl group will rise," boasted the promotional video. 

Through online and offline auditions in 15 cities around the world, more than 120,000 talented artists tried out. Only the top 20 girls were selected to become finalists — an acceptance rate tougher than elite universities. 

Revealing the finalists at an August 2023 press conference in Los Angeles, HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk said, "I have wanted to form an international group based on K-pop methodology for a while," per Billboard.

Geffen Records CEO John Janick shared the same sentiments. "To develop a global group with Bang, with the best of K-pop methodology, and our Geffen team, is truly special and will bring to life a first-of-its-kind experience in music," he said during the press conference.

They Went Through The Intense K-Pop Trainee System 

The 20 finalists were enrolled in what was dubbed "The Debut: Dream Academy," an "X Factor"-style survival show that was broadcasted in real time on social media for nearly three months in late 2023.

"Dream Academy" offered the finalists a crash course in the infamously rigorous K-pop trainee system, one where aspiring stars train intensely in everything from vocals to dance and foreign languages, all with the aim of developing into well-rounded artists. Through a combination of audience voting and evaluations from a panel of experts (which included executives from HYBE and Geffen), the show whittled down the 20 finalists to the debut group.

The show consisted of three rounds with distinct "missions" that tested each finalists on their dance and vocal prowess, as well as their teamwork and performance skills. The contestants were primarily based in Los Angeles but also had the opportunity to travel to South Korea to train directly in HYBE’s Seoul headquarters.

The final lineup was revealed live on Nov. 17, 2023, with a studio audience in Los Angeles and thousands of viewers watching in real time. The energy and anticipation was palpable as each member was announced one by one to tears of joy and screams of excitement. 

"I can’t even put it into words," expressed Lara after she was selected as part of the final lineup. "This is everything I ever wanted in my entire life."

The official group name of KATSEYE was also revealed on that date, signaling the transition from the trainee process to becoming a full-fledged group.

The entire training and development journey was documented by Netflix and will be released as a series under the name "Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE" on Aug. 21. The show promises to "pull back the curtain on the rigorous process of making a global music sensation."

KATSEYE Members Hail From Around the World

The six members of KATSEYE represent a mosaic of cultures and backgrounds from around the world. Sophia is from the Philippines, while Yoonchae was born in Korea. Manon was raised in Switzerland to Swiss Italian and Ghanian parents. 

The three American members also have global roots: Daniela is Venezuelan Cuban, Lara is Indian, and Megan is Chinese Singaporean.

While KATSEYE’s music is sung in English, the members are also fluent in their fair share of languages, allowing them to connect with fans around the globe. 

The diversity of the members even influenced the group name. KATSEYE is an alternate spelling of the stone cat’s eye, which "shows off a variety of colors depending on its direction, much like all of us who come from all different cultures and backgrounds," the members told Sweety High. 

Industry Elites Form Part Of Their Team 

Even ahead of their debut album drop, KATSEYE has already worked with some of the most prominent names in the entertainment world.

The group’s creative director is Humberto Leon, best known as co-founder of iconic fashion brand Opening Ceremony. His vision helped create "Dream Academy’s" whimsical Art Film of the finalists performing inside an empty school; he’s also had input on all the creative decisions for the group, from styling to posing.

"I want each and every one of them to stand out," Leon told the New York Times. 

KATSEYE’s first single, "Debut", was produced by three-time GRAMMY winner and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, who has written songs for icons like Taylor Swift and Adele.

Their Labelmates Are K-Pop Superstars

As part of HYBE Entertainment, KATSEYE is the successor to some of the biggest names in the K-pop world. HYBE is best known for launching BTS in 2013, when the label was still known as Big Hit Entertainment.

HYBE has since expanded and launched groups including TOMORROW X TOGETHER, LE SSERAFIM, and New Jeans, who have all achieved massive heights, from topping the Billboard charts to performing at Coachella.

Ahead of the "Dream Academy" competition, HYBE artists imparted words of wisdom to the contestants in a video letter. "The more challenges you face, you’ll have more worries," said Le Sserafim member Sakura, who made her own debut through a similar competition show in South Korea. "I think the most important thing is to have fun!" 

Read more: 5 Takeaways From The GRAMMY Museum’s "HYBE: We Believe In Music" Exhibit

KATSEYE's  Music Is About Self Confidence

Although the group has released just two singles so far, KATSEYE’s music has already honed in on themes of confidence and empowerment. The first single, aptly titled "Debut," is an upbeat pop anthem that boasts the group’s self-assurance despite being industry newcomers. Second single "Touch" is an R&B and drum-and-bass-influenced ode to independence.

Their debut single is "really just about sisterhood and being confident and strong and powerful and the best version of yourself," Lara told Teen Vogue.

Listeners can expect a continuation of this theme on their upcoming album, SIS (Soft Is Strong). "Our debut comes with a lot of confidence and a lot of willpower and passion," Sophia hinted in the group’s intro film.

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

The Grammys have undeniably always been Music's Biggest Night, but there's an argument its one of fashion's biggest nights, too. Over the years, the Grammys have offered fans an endless display of eye-catching and boundary-pushing fashion, in between celebrating music, and the 2026 Grammys were no exception.

The sartorial parade began, of course, on the Grammy red carpet, where Grammy nominees, presenters, and more of the music industry's brightest stars celebrated the year in musical excellence. But with plenty of outfit changes, over-the-top performances and surprise appearances during the show, the can't-miss looks continued throughout the entire evening — all the way up until host Trevor Noah bid the millions watching at home a good night.

Below, check out some of the most unforgettable and talked-about looks from the 2026 Grammys, from Chappell Roan's spicy Mugler moment to Bad Bunny's history-making haute couture.

Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan, last year's Best New Artist winner, turned heads on the Grammy red carpet with a custom Mugler ensemble involving nipple rings, pastie prosthetics, and a plethora of medieval-inspired temporary tattoos. (The entire look was directly inspired by Mugler's Jeu de Paume couture collection from spring/summer 1998.)

While the risqué outfit set the internet positively ablaze, Roan — who was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her 2025 single "The Subway" and presented this year's Grammy Award for Best New Artist to Olivia Dean — shrugged off the online pearl-clutching with a laugh.

"Giggling because I don't even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit. The look's actually so awesome and weird," Roan wrote in an Instagram post after the Grammys.

"I recommend just exercising your free will it's really fun and silly :D," the Midwest Princess continued. "Thank you for having me @grammys and those who voted for me!!"

Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter was nothing short of a vision when she arrived at the 2026 Grammys wearing a romantic custom gown by Valentino.

Honoring the late Italian fashion icon, who died in January at 93, the superstar's dress featured a dainty, sheer capelet for the sleeves, a sparkling bodice made of crystalline, beaded flowers, and a cascading, ruffled skirt.

Nominated for six Grammys — including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album —  for her 2025 album Man's Best Friend, Carpenter lit up the Grammy stage early in the telecast with a maximalist production number of her No. 1 single "Manchild," which also earned nods for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video. For the high-energy, airport-themed number, Carpenter changed into a corseted pilot's uniform, complete with matching white go-go boots and an old-fashioned airline captain's hat.

KATSEYE

KATSEYE expertly resurrected the immortal tradition of girl groups rocking matching looks on the Grammys red carpet. The sextet looked all sorts of angelic in their coordinated white and silver gowns by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, complete with studded silver detailing and ample use of both halter necklines and lace.

Of course, during the telecast, the first-time Grammy nominees changed into more choreography-friendly outfits to perform their addictive single "Gnarly" — a high-octane highlight from the Best New Artist medley that also featured performances from fellow Best New Artist Grammy nominees The Marías, Addison Rae, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young, sombr, and eventual winner Olivia Dean.

KATSEYE weren't the only group sporting a matching aesthetic at the show. British girl group FLO, who earned their first Grammy nomination this year in the Best Progressive R&B Album Category, served up regal shades of royal blue on the red carpet just days after paying tribute to Mariah Carey with a cover of "Dreamlover" at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year benefit gala. The sisters of HAIM, meanwhile, opted for a trio of strappy black-and-silver dresses by Louis Vuitton. Plus, on the menswear side of the aisle, Pharrell Williams matched with Clipse in peachy velvet suits before hitting the Grammy stage to perform their 2025 collaboration "So Far Ahead," off the Grammy-nominated Let God Sort Em Out.

Teyana Taylor

Fresh off her win at the 2026 Golden Globes, Teyana Taylor wore an ab-baring gown by Tom Ford at the 2026 Grammys.

The budding multi-hyphenate, who earned her first Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album for her 2025 album Escape Room, wowed in an asymmetrical look made of metallic chain mail. Continuing the red carpet theme of daring, nearly-naked fashion, the dress featured an innovative strapless design that had to be seen to be believed.

Perhaps the most striking detail, though, is that Taylor reportedly styled herself for the evening, pairing the sculptural gown with a plunging gold necklace from Tiffany & Co., bronzed makeup, and a matching manicure.

Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum's dress at the 2026 Grammys was both a high-fashion moment and a technological marvel. Dreamed up by Berlin-based designer Marina Hoermanseder, the skin-toned leather look brought new meaning to "nude illusion," with the dress sculpted to a mold of the supermodel's body.

"She did a little mold, and then everything is done by leather. She makes it wet, it gets molded, then she dries it. Then it gets lacquered, sprayed and voila!" Klum explained on the Grammy red carpet while dishing on "Red Eye," her new collab with Diplo created for the upcoming season of "Germany's Next Topmodel."

"I always go for, like, a showstopper kind of an outfit, you know? I'm never someone who's like, 'This looks nice,'" the longtime "Project Runway" host concluded. "I always like something special."

Following the ceremony, Hoermanseder gave followers a behind-the-scenes peek at the process of making Klum's body-baring gown via an insightful Instagram carousel. The fashion designer showed off every step of the painstaking process — from creating the very first sketches and computer models to stretching and drying the leather by hand before matching its color precisely to Klum's skin.

Bad Bunny

Hours before Bad Bunny's triumphant night at the Grammys ended with his historic win for Album of the Year, it started with the perfect Schiaparelli tuxedo.

Inspired by a gender-bending design from the French maison's Couture runway show in 2023 and featuring a laced-up, corset-style back and subtle measuring tape lapel, Benito's dapper tux made its own mark on fashion history as Schiaparelli's very first Haute Couture custom menswear look to ever grace a red carpet.

Following the 2026 Grammys, Schiaparelli took to social media to celebrate Bad Bunny's trio of big wins for Album of the Year, Best Música Urbana Album, and Best Global Music Performance. They also gleefully pointed out the fact that the past three Album of the Year Grammy winners have all accepted their Grammys while wearing custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture — including Beyoncé in 2025 for COWBOY CARTER and Taylor Swift in 2024 for Midnights. Talk about a high fashion hat trick!

Harry Styles

Harry Styles served as the final presenter at the 2026 Grammys, returning to the Grammy stage to announce this year's winner for Album of the Year. And while the three-time Grammy winner didn't walk the Grammy red carpet, he still managed to make quite the sartorial statement by pairing a dazzling Dior blazer with — of all things — casual dark wash jeans.

"A truly great album can change the way you see everything. An artist can take you on a journey as you discover the world together. The best albums stay with you, and you can always return to them, just like old friends," Styles said, before listing off the eight albums nominated for Album of the Year and ultimately announcing Bad Bunny's DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS as the year's big winner.

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

Current Grammy nominees Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR, and The Marías will perform in a special Best New Artist segment at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

Sabrina Carpenter has also been confirmed to perform. Additional performers at the 2026 Grammys will be announced in the coming days. 

See the full list of performers and hosts at the 2026 Grammys to date (updating in real time).

Learn more about the Best New Artist nominees at the 2026 Grammys below.

Addison Rae is nominated for the first time this year in the Best New Artist category, backed by the success of her debut album Addison.

Alex Warren is also a first-time nominee this year, earning a Best New Artist nomination propelled by the success of his album You'll Be Alright, Kid and record-breaking hit "Ordinary."

First-time Grammy nominees KATSEYE are nominated for two Grammy Awards this year: Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ("Gabriela").

Grammy winner Leon Thomas is nominated for six Grammy Awards this year: Album Of The Year (MUTT), Best New Artist, Best R&B Performance ("MUTT (Live From NPR's Tiny Desk)"), Best Traditional R&B Performance ("VIBES DON'T LIE"), Best R&B Song ("YES IT IS"), and Best R&B Album (MUTT).

First-time Grammy nominee Lola Young is up for two Grammy Awards this year: Best New Artist and Best Pop Solo Performance ("Messy").

Olivia Dean is a first-time nominee this year as well, earning a Best New Artist nomination driven by the success of her acclaimed album The Art Of Loving and multiple charting singles, including "Man I Need."

First-time nominee SOMBR is also up for Best New Artist this year, fueled by the success of his debut album I Barely Know Her.

Rounding out the category, The Marías join this year's Best New Artist nominees following the success of their chart-topping single "Back To Me."

Prior to the 2026 Grammys telecast, the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on live.grammy.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.

Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episodes airs.

Fulwell Entertainment is producing the 2026 Grammy Awards for the Recording Academy. Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, Jesse Collins, and Trevor Noah are executive producers.

See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

As soon as the 2026 GRAMMYS nominations were announced on Nov. 7, social media saw a wave of celebration from fans and nominees alike. Moments after the livestream reveal, artists began sharing their reactions online — from emotional thank-you videos to all-caps messages and behind-the-scenes clips.

First-time nominees like Alex Warren and KATSEYE posted their disbelief in real time, while returning nominees including Laufey, Kehlani and Summer Walker celebrated another milestone in their GRAMMYS journeys.

Scroll through some of the most fun and emotional nominee reactions below, and catch up on the full list of nominees as the countdown begins to the 2026 GRAMMYS.

Best New Artist nominees Alex Warren, The Marias, sombr, and Leon Thomas, shared their excitement by posting on Instagram.

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Best Dance Pop Recording nominee Zara Larsson celebrated with a selfie captioned, "B— I’m a Grammy nominated artist!!!!!!," while Best New Artist nominee Addison Rae shared her own selfie reaction by tagging the Recording Academy in her Instagram story. KATSEYE, ROSIÉ, Trueno, Nicki Nicole, Malice, and more also joined in by posting celebration moments on their Instagram Stories.

And while stars were celebrating their stories, the rock world had its own stunned reaction.

A first-time GRAMMY nominee — earning three nods in Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance — YUNGBLUD stood in disbelief while watching the nominations livestream with his team.

Best R&B Performance nominees Kehlani and Summer Walker also took to Instagram to express their gratitude, with Walker sharing a video of her hilarious real-time reaction.

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Gloria Estefan celebrated her Best Tropical Latin Album nomination with a heartfelt message to her supporters. Davido, who is nominated in the Best African Music Performance Category, echoed that energy with a proud shout-out to his global fan base.

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Several more creatives reacted to their nominations on social media, including Best Progressive R&B Album nominees Durand Bernarr and Destin Conrad.

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When the nominations were announced, Best Classical Compendium nominee Jonathan Estabrooks and Best Classical Solo Vocal Album nominee Devony Smith couldn’t contain their excitement — and they caught the whole reaction on video.

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J.I.D, who is nominated in both Best Rap Album and Best Melodic Rap Performance, posted a message of gratitude to his team and fans:

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The celebration continued across socials as the nominations were announced, with reactions rolling in from Best Música Urbana Album nominee J Balvin, Best Immersive Audio Album nominee Duckwrth, and many more artists — showing just how meaningful a GRAMMY nomination can be.

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See the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 Grammys.

Watch highlights and exclusive Grammys content from the 2026 Grammys all year long.

The Best New Artist Category is one of the most exciting at any GRAMMYS Awards. Every year, it shines a spotlight on emerging talent who are defining music’s zeitgeist.

The nominees might be TikTok-raised stars or late-blooming veterans; what matters most is their musical trajectory and impact in the current year. The Best New Artist nominees for the 2026 GRAMMYS — Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young — have each used their unique artistry to create stand-out work that has left a mark on the music industry.

Learn more about the nominees below and read the full 2026 GRAMMYs nominations list ahead of Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean’s deep, soulful voice and jazz-inspired pop melodies are a treasure trove, filled with nostalgic gems about love and heartbreak. Her "Man I Need" currently sits at No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 after being released this summer; its success a harbinger of global domination to come, but far from an overnight sensation. 

After releasing EPs OK Love You Bye and What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?, the British singer was named Amazon Music’s breakthrough artist of the year in 2021. Her 2023 debut album Messy led to her selection as BBC Music Introducing's Artist of the Year, a place on the shortlist for the Mercury Prize, and nominated for multiple BRIT Awards.

Since then, Olivia Dean performed at Glastonbury 2024, and supported Sam Fender and Sabrina Carpenter on tour. By the time her second LP, The Art of Loving, came out on Sept. 26, 2025, its three singles "Nice to Each Other," "Lady Lady," and "Man I Need" had already crowned her as a new industry favorite. As the world falls in love with her sensibility, she receives her well-deserved first GRAMMYS nomination for Best New Artist.

KATSEYE

A project between Geffen Records and South Korea’s HYBE Entertainment, KATSEYE is a global girl group born from K-pop’s cutthroat training system. Out of 120,000 applicants, Sophia, Daniela, Megan, Manon, Lara, and Yoonchae were shortlisted along with 14 other contestants to participate in the 2023 survival show "The Debut: Dream Academy." There, they underwent intense practice lessons and weekly eliminations until finally being selected as members of the six-piece group.

Hailing from widely different backgrounds, KATSEYE harness diversity as one of their main strengths. Leader Sophia was born in the Philippines; main dancer Daniela is American with Venezuelan and Cuban roots; all-rounder Megan is from Hawaii with a Singaporean Chinese mother; the charismatic Manon is Swiss Ghanaian; vocalist Lara is Indian American; Yoonchae (the youngest of the group at 17) is Korean. 

Although they have yet to release a full album, KATSEYE’s releases have proved their potential to take over the world. "Touch" — from their first EP, 2024’s SIS (Soft Is Strong) — went viral on TikTok for its addictive drum and bass. KATSEYE's 2025 was marked by the outlandish hyperpop of "Gnarly" and the Latin-inspired "Gabriela," both from their sophomore EP, Beautiful Chaos. "Gnarly" earned them their first Billboard Hot 100 entry, while the EP debuted in the fourth place on Billboard’s 200 chart.

Add to all that a third single, "Gameboy," performances at Wango Tango and Lollapalooza Chicago, and a viral denim campaign for Gap — and you got the recipe for this generation’s most exciting girl band.

The Marías

Formed in Los Angeles by vocalist María Zardoya, drummer/producer Josh Conway, guitarist Jesse Perlman and keyboardist Edward James, The Marías have been active for almost a decade. The indie group have developed a unique blend that melds Zardoya’s Puerto Rican heritage and atmospheric, magical pop grooves to increasing acclaim.

Their 2021 debut album Cinema included the single "Hush," which topped Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart. In the following year, they joined Halsey’s Love and Power Tour and collaborated with Bad Bunny on "Otro Atardecer" — a track from Un Verano Sin Ti, for which they received their first GRAMMYS nomination for Album Of The Year as featured artists.

The Marías' first Best New Artist nomination comes right after a major upheaval in their career. Just before the band started working on their second album, 2024’s Submarine, Zardoya and Conway ended their eight-year relationship. The breakup led to a six-month hiatus, lots of therapy, and, ultimately, their most vulnerable, resonant LP.

From this tumultuous time arose their breakout hit "No One Noticed," which went viral on TikTok as a summertime sadness anthem and reached No. 22 on the Hot 100. Since then, The Marías have opened select shows for Billie Eilish back in December and participated on "Ojos Tristes" off Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s I Said I Love You First. Their nomination in the Best New Artist Category is a well-deserved acknowledgement after years of expressive work across genres.

Addison Rae

Originally  known as one of TikTok’s most famous dancers, Addison Rae has spent the past few years focused on making her own music. The transition wasn’t easy: Her 2021 debut single "Obsessed" was panned by critics, and audiences seemed resistant to the idea that an influencer could be taken seriously as an artist. But Rae didn’t back down.

"I've learned that growth takes time and experience takes time," she told GRAMMY.com. "When 'Obsessed' came out, a lot of people were like, ‘Why are you releasing music? You haven't struggled in music, you haven't put in the years that it takes to become an artist!’" After "Obsessed," Rae decided to put in the years and the work. "I was in the studio all the time. I was writing and forcing myself to feel uncomfortable in writing alone."

Her first EP, 2023’s AR, introduced listeners to Rae’s dreamy soundscape. She was then featured on Charli xcx's remix of "Von Dutch," and her own "Diet Pepsi" broke into Hot 100 in 2024. By the time Rae dropped her first studio album, Addison, in June 2025, the public was more than ready to embrace this new chapter. 

Addison received rave reviews for its impeccable vibes and carefully curated sounds, with themes ranging from money and fashion to introspective, intimate abstractions. It’s a product that only a chronically online influencer like Rae could create. Her fresh artistic vision and confidence in songwriting prove that she was made to be a pop star — and with her first GRAMMYS nomination for Best New Artist, she can expect to soar even higher.

sombr

Like many of his peers, Shane Michael Boose — the 20-year-old New Yorker performing as sombr — chased his dream of being a singer through TikTok. His emotive voice and eager lyrics struck a chord, and before he noticed, he had not one, but two entries on the Billboard Hot 100. "Back to friends" and "undressed" garnered more than one billion streams combined, assuring that whatever Boose was doing, he was on the right path.

His 10-track debut LP, I Barely Know Her, was released in August 2025 and showed that Boose had even more up his sleeve. In addition to the two aforementioned tracks, I Barely Know Her featured singles "we never dated" and "12 to 12" (whose music video features fellow nominee Addison Rae), and an alt-rock brilliancy inspired by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Prince, and the Rolling Stones. Boose is the only credited songwriter on the album, and co-produced it along with his mentor, the GRAMMY-winning producer Tony Berg.

Beyond this sound, Boose is an extremely relatable Gen Zer, self-deprecating and silly on his ever growing TikTok accounts (of course, he has a spam one). His ingenuity is as endearing as his music is compelling, and both will certainly lead him far.

Leon Thomas

A Broadway child actor-turned-songwriter, Leon Thomas has long been in the music scene — just not in the spotlight. He spent years crafting chart-topping hits for artists like Ariana Grande, Post Malone, and Drake, and took home a Best R&B Song golden gramophone at the 2024 GRAMMYS for SZA’s "Snooze," which he co-wrote and produced.

Working with top stars made Thomas realize he had to put his own dreams first. "Writing these records and working with these big artists is such a blessing, but I want to hit stages and see the world through my music," he told GRAMMY.com. Thomas' 2023 debut studio album, Electric Dusk, showed off his R&B prowess and finesse; the following year, he earned his first-ever entry on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the title track from his sophomore LP, MUTT (itself nominated for Album Of The Year). A neat, addictive midtempo, "MUTT" crowned Thomas as a solo star to be reckoned with. One year later, Thomas advocated for creators as Music Advocacy Day's 2025 Artist Ambassador.

"First off, I've had a GRAMMY on my lock screen on my phone for, like, a year and a half. So this has been a one-track-minded thing," Thomas revealed in a backstage interview right after winning his first golden gramophone as a producer last year. Regardless if he’s kept the lock screen or not, the Recording Academy Voting Membership has taken notice, and acknowledged his riveting solo work.

Alex Warren

It sounds like a joke to say that a track titled "Ordinary" would become one of 2025’s most ubiquitous hits. Like its singer, Alex Warren, "Ordinary" is anything but. Fervently devotional and majestically orchestrated, the song compares love to "Something so heavenly, higher than ecstasy," and offers a surge of dopamine to hopeless romantics around the world.

Warren has been through an unusual assortment of highs and lows. By 21, he had been homeless, lost both his parents, co-founded and participated in the TikTok collective Hype House (of which Addison Rae was also a member), and started dating his future wife. Now 25, he is married, saw his life change overnight with the success of "Ordinary," and will add a GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist to his extraordinary history.

Included in his debut studio album, July’s You’ll Be Alright, Kid, "Ordinary" reached No. 1 in more than 30 countries — including the Billboard Hot 100 — and stayed at the top of the charts for weeks. Along with it came fellow hits "Bloodline" with Jelly Roll, "On My Mind" featuring BLACKPINK’s Rosé, and "Eternity." An extension of Warren’s 2024 EP of the same name, You’ll Be Alright, Kid is a 21-track anthology and a statement about Warren’s catapult into superstardom.

Lola Young

It’s hard not to relate to Lola Young’s unapologetic lyricism. Talking about experiences and feelings that many would rather forget, she brings healing in the form of catharsis. That’s what made her 2024 single "Messy" a viral hit, with stinging verses like "And I'm too perfect 'til I show you that I'm not/ A thousand people I could be for you, and you hate the f—ing lot" and "I'm not skinny, and I pull a Britney every other week/ But cut me some slack, who do you want me to be? 'Cause I'm too messy, and then I'm too f—ing clean."

"Messy" is the sixth single from Young’s acclaimed 2024 sophomore album, This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway, and became her first entry — and first No. 1 — on the charts in both the U.K. and the U.S. It also earned her the Ivor Novello Rising Star award that same year. But Young’s success didn’t come out of the blue: The 24-year-old South Londoner has been penning fearless lyrics and developing her stirring, raspy vocals since she was just 14.

Following her hard-earned mainstream breakout, Young released her third LP, I’m Only F–king Myself, in September 2025. Led by singles "Not Like That Anymore," "One Thing," and "d£aler," the album established Young as a promising talent to watch. Her nomination for Best New Artist at the 2026 GRAMMYS confirms it.