“I am 1,000 percent a fan, and what I love about the Grammys is that I become a fan of a new artist every single time,” he told Billboard in 2022. “What many people don't realize is how much work goes into the performances. Getting every single key right, every lighting cue perfect, choreographing all the moves between the cameras and the artists. You don't truly appreciate it until you get behind the scenes, and I think that's what makes me enjoy the show even more.”
But as much as the Born a Crime author has savored the job, he’s also been frank about the “nerve-wracking” nature of the position.
“I don't know what's going to happen,” he told Gayle King during an appearance on CBS Mornings in 2024. “So that's what I love about the Grammys—it's live, it's happening, it's on the fly.”
With the 2026 Grammys just weeks away, keep reading to see how this year’s nominees reacted to having their music recognized.
The "Hot to Go" singer was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and Record of the Year for "The Subway" and kept her reaction short and sweet, writing on her Nov. 7 Instagram Story, "Thank you @recordingacademy."
"Thank you God, my team, every collaborator, every producer, family, friends and most especially my fans I couldn’t have done it without you," Leon Thomas wrote in a Nov. 7 Instagram post. "I got a show tonight and i’m gonna continue working harder on this next album."
After receiving a nod in Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for his work on the A Complete Unknown soundtrack, Timothée reshared the news to his Instagram Story Nov. 7 adding, "Dream Big."
"I am a Grammy nominated artist," Sombr (real name Shane Michael Boose) in a Nov. 6 Instagram post. "I am in shock!! Thank you @recordingacademy and everyone who voted for me. I am so proud to be recognized among so many amazing artists that I love and respect."
The 20-year-old went on to reflect on how the last year changed his life.
"Ever since I was a small kid, I have lived and breathed music. It has changed my life in so many ways," he continued. "This time last year, I was 19, depressed and not knowing where to turn. I wrote all of these songs on my own in my bedroom. Looking back, I am so thankful to everyone who encouraged me to keep going."
To top off his gratitude, the "Back to Friends" singer expressed love for his fanbase.
"You’re the reason I get up in the morning and keep doing this even when I’m at my lowest," he shared. "Seeing how the music impacts you means everything to me. I love you so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
The K-Pop Demon Hunters singers couldn't contain their joy upon "Golden" receiving a nomination for Song of the Year.
"I’m not able to digest this time," Ejae told Variety in a statement. "I’m still in shock."
Rei Ami added, "This feels out of this world.”
Meanwhile, Audrey Nuna was floored by the representation that came with their nomination.
You’re going to see three Korean faces," she explained. "To think about the kids who are going to see that, and hopefully for that to shape their understanding of what they can do in this world, is the stuff that is giving me chills up my spine."
"Oh my goodness," Kelsea wrote in a Nov. 6 Instagram Story, upon her album receiving a nod in the Best Contemporary Country Album category. "Patterns is nominated for a Grammy!"
Upon hearing her nomination news, Addison Rae proved a picture is worth a thousand words and posted four selfies of her reacting to her Best New Artist nod.
The BlackPink member shared her unfiltered reaction to scoring a Song of the Year and Record of the Year nomination for "APT." alongside Bruno Mars. In a video shared to her Instagram Story, the K-pop star shared her anxiety asking her team, "Are we not gonna get it?" before her song was finally announced, to which she shrieked with joy.
Upon earning his first ever Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, the "Ordinary" singer shared a video of his live reaction, which saw him amazed and then grow teary eyed alongside wife Kouvr Annon as his friends blasted confetti. "Mom and Dad I know you’re watching down," he wrote in the caption. "I miss you."
Watch the Grammys 2026 Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Curated by Ryan Davies
