Olivia Dean Wins Best New Artist At 2026 Grammys

The 2026 Grammy Awards unfolded with the kind of glitz and emotion that only music’s biggest night can muster, but it was Olivia Dean—a rising British singer-songwriter—who truly stole the show. On February 2, 2026, inside the packed Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Dean was crowned Best New Artist, claiming her first Grammy in a moment that felt both deeply personal and politically charged.

Dean, dressed in a striking black and white Chanel ball gown and sporting her signature vintage waves, was visibly moved as she took the stage. For many, her win wasn’t just a career milestone; it was a celebration of her journey, heritage, and the stories she carries with her. According to USA TODAY, Dean’s acceptance speech resonated far beyond the walls of the arena. "I’m up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated," she declared, her voice catching with emotion. "We’re nothing without each other, thank you so much."

This nod to her roots was more than just a personal reflection. Dean’s words landed at a time of heightened tension in the United States, as ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have sparked protests and controversy across the country. According to Harper’s Bazaar, Dean’s shoutout to immigrants was particularly poignant given the political climate, with several artists—Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber among them—wearing "ICE Out" pins at the ceremony in protest of the agency’s actions.

Dean’s story is one of perseverance and rich cultural tapestry. Raised in London by a Jamaican-Guyanese mother and an English father, she’s spoken openly about her Caribbean roots, including a grandmother from the Windrush generation—a group of immigrants who helped rebuild Britain after World War II. "I feel beautiful in my skin and privileged to be a mix of things, whether that be cultures or musical genres," Dean told Harper’s Bazaar in a previous interview. "So I don’t really give a shit if people don’t think it’s Black enough or call me white or whatever. I live in a bubble of peace and serenity, and I make music that I love that pulls from all kinds of places."

Her path to the Grammys has been anything but overnight. Dean first caught the public’s ear in 2018 with her debut single "Reason to Stay," released independently, and a heartfelt cover of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" posted to YouTube following the death of Aretha Franklin. She steadily built momentum, releasing her debut studio album, Messy, in 2023. However, it was her sophomore effort, The Art of Loving—particularly the dreamy single "Man I Need"—that catapulted her into the American mainstream. The track soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a modest debut at No. 82, marking Dean’s first appearance on the U.S. charts.

"I’ve never been on the charts before, and I’ve been putting out music for quite a long time, so it’s a bit of a new world for me," Dean told Billboard last year. That sense of newness and wonder was palpable at the Grammys, where she performed "Man I Need" in a medley alongside her fellow Best New Artist nominees—Addison Rae, The Marías, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Sombr, Alex Warren, and Lola Young—before the award was announced.

When Chappell Roan, last year’s Best New Artist winner, presented the trophy to Dean, it felt like a passing of the torch. The Recording Academy’s criteria for the award require nominees to have "achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and impacted the musical landscape during the year’s eligibility period." Dean, who has been refining her craft for nearly a decade, fit the bill perfectly.

The 2026 Grammys were not just a personal victory for Dean but also a reflection of the broader music community’s engagement with social issues. The ceremony, according to USA TODAY, was marked by visible protests against immigration enforcement, with artists using their platforms to advocate for compassion and unity. Dean, while not explicitly calling out ICE by name, joined a chorus of voices urging celebration of diversity and shared humanity.

Her win capped off a whirlwind year. In the fall of 2025, Dean opened for Sabrina Carpenter on the Short n' Sweet Tour, exposing her music to new audiences across the U.S. She also graced the stage of Saturday Night Live in November, performing as the musical guest on an episode hosted by Glen Powell. These high-profile appearances set the stage for her Grammy breakthrough and cemented her status as one of the most exciting new voices in pop and soul.

Looking ahead, Dean’s momentum shows no sign of slowing. She is nominated for multiple Brit Awards—tying with Lola Young for the most nominations at this year’s ceremony, set for February 28. And in July, she will embark on the North American leg of her The Art of Loving Tour, kicking off with back-to-back shows in San Francisco. Her star, it seems, is only just beginning to rise.

Dean’s Grammy moment also served as a reminder of the complex realities facing immigrants and their families in 2026. The country remains divided over immigration policy, with federal agents’ recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis fueling renewed outrage and protest. Dean’s words, though delivered in the context of a music award, echoed the struggles and hopes of millions. "I never really imagined that I would be up here, let alone nominated," she confessed onstage, her gratitude shining through. "I guess I also wanted to say that I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery, and I think they deserve to be celebrated. We’re nothing without each other."

Dean’s artistry, shaped by her heritage and her refusal to be boxed in by genre or identity, has resonated with a generation hungry for authenticity. The Recording Academy’s recognition of her talent—and her message—felt like a small but significant step toward a more inclusive and empathetic music industry.

As the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted in applause, Olivia Dean’s Grammy win stood as a testament not just to her voice, but to the courage and resilience of those who came before her. For one night in Los Angeles, at least, the bravery of immigrants was front and center, celebrated on music’s grandest stage.