The 2026 Grammy Award nominations have been announced, and the list is missing some of the year’s most successful artists. Despite releasing acclaimed albums and chart-topping hits, stars like The Weeknd and Lorde were completely shut out, sparking surprise and disappointment among fans.
The nominations, which cover music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025, will be celebrated at the awards ceremony on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Weeknd’s Grammy Curse Continues
The Weeknd’s major snub for his album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” is one of the biggest surprises of the year. This omission is particularly stinging because it follows a highly publicized reconciliation with the Recording Academy.
Earlier this year, the artist ended his four-year boycott of the Grammys with a surprise performance on the show, which many saw as a sign of mended fences. Despite this, and the commercial success of his album and singles like “Timeless,” he received zero nominations. This repeat of his 2021 experience, when his album “After Hours” and single “Blinding Lights” were also ignored, has left fans and critics baffled.
One fan expressed frustration online, stating, “Hurry Up Tomorrow dominated charts. Abel delivered one of the most flawless albums of the decade… This isn’t a snub. It’s a slap in the face to artistry.”
Lorde’s Critical Comeback Ignored
Lorde also found herself absent from the nominee list. Her fourth album, “Virgin,” was met with critical praise and marked a successful return to her signature energetic pop sound. However, the Recording Academy did not award it with any nominations.
This continues a complicated history between Lorde and the Grammys. In 2018, her album “Melodrama” was nominated for Album of the Year, but she was reportedly not offered a solo performance slot on the telecast, unlike her male counterparts. Her only Grammy win remains the Song of the Year award she received in 2014 for “Royals.”
Other Major Artist Omissions
The list of snubbed artists extends beyond The Weeknd and Lorde. Several other prominent names were unexpectedly absent from the nominations.
Benson Boone, who performed at last year’s ceremony and had a successful year with hits like “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” received no nominations. Similarly, Miley Cyrus‘s ambitious album “Something Beautiful” only garnered a single nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, a modest showing after she won her first two Grammys earlier this year.
The collaboration between Brandi Carlile and Elton John on “Who Believes in Angels?” was also overlooked in the top all-genre categories, landing only in Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. This was a surprise given the Academy’s past support for both artists.
Surprise Snubs in the Song Categories
Some of the year’s most inescapable hits were also left out of key categories. Alex Warren’s smash single “Ordinary,” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 consecutive weeks, was not nominated for Record or Song of the Year. Warren did, however, secure a nomination for Best New Artist.
Gracie Abrams’ popular track “That’s So True” was also missing from the Song of the Year list, despite its cultural impact and her previous Grammy nominations.
New Artists Missing from the Spotlight
The Best New Artist category itself contained notable omissions. This year’s nominations feature no representatives from the rap or country genres, a surprising gap given the current music landscape. Rising country artists like Zach Top, Megan Moroney, and Ella Langley, who were considered strong contenders, were all passed over.
Additionally, Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury), who had a breakout year, and Ravyn Lenae, whose song “Love Me Not” was a radio staple, were not nominated for Best New Artist.
While the 2026 Grammys will undoubtedly celebrate many deserving artists, the absence of these major players has already become a central part of the awards conversation.
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