The 6 biggest snubs, surprises, and missteps of the 2026 Grammy nominations

The 6 Biggest Snubs, Surprises, and Missteps of the 2026 Grammy Nominations

The nominations for the 68th annual Grammy Awards were announced on Friday morning, revealing notable snubs, unexpected surprises, and some questionable decisions.

Major Snubs and Absences

Lorde and The Weeknd were surprisingly overlooked despite strong past performances.
Taylor Swift was missing from the nominee list for the first time since 2018, as her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, was released after the eligibility period ended.

Unexpected Nominations and Highlights

Sabrina Carpenter received an unusually high number of nominations, sparking debate about the voting process.
Bad Bunny earned his second Album of the Year nomination for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, making it only the second all-Spanish album recognized in this category, following his own Un Verano Sin Ti in 2023.

Historic Moments for Global Pop

“Golden,” a breakout hit from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, was nominated for Song of the Year.
Blackpink’s Rosé made history as the first K-pop artist nominated for Record of the Year, for her collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Apt.”

“It's shaping up to be a banner year for global pop,” reflecting the evolving diversity of the Grammy Awards.

Competition Among Superstars

With Taylor Swift absent, other top artists like Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Justin Bieber are poised to compete for major honors including Album, Record, and Song of the Year.

Author’s summary: The 2026 Grammy nominations reveal significant snubs, historic firsts for global artists, and a reshuffled field of contenders shaping one of the most dynamic awards seasons yet.

Business Insider — 2025-11-07