The 2026 68th Annual Grammy Awards nominations, unveiled Nov. 7 by the Recording Academy, offer more than just a peek at the year’s top songs and albums. They reflect an evolving music landscape in which LGBTQ+ and queer-identifying artists are increasingly visible and celebrated.
Why it matters
In the year’s nomination rollout, several artists openly identify as queer or have become important voices for LGBTQ+ visibility, a trend that carries weight not only musically but culturally. At last year’s ceremony, outlets described the Grammys as “very gay” for the number of out and queer-affirming stars honored.
This year, the presence of queer-adjacent and LGBTQ+-affiliated nominees signals both ongoing shifts in representation and the power of music to elevate diverse voices. Below, we highlight some of the nominees who fit this theme, then provide major nominations.
Spotlight on LGBTQ+ Nominees
- Billie Eilish is nominated for Record of the Year (“Wildflower”) and Song of the Year (the same title), continuing her trajectory as a star who has spoken openly about gender and identity, and who resonates with younger queer audiences.
- Chappell Roan appears with a nomination for Record of the Year (“The Subway”) and is generally known for incorporating drag-influenced aesthetics in her performances and for being openly queer-affirming.
- Doechii – Nominated for Record of the Year (“Anxiety”) and Song of the Year (same title). Doechii is openly queer and her music often reflects her experiences, resonating strongly with LGBTQ+ audiences.
- Cynthia Erivo – Nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (“Defying Gravity” with Ariana Grande) and Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella (“Be Okay”). Erivo identifies as queer and has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in music and performance.
- Kehlani – Nominated for Best R&B Performance (“Folded”) and Best R&B Song (same title). Kehlani is openly queer and frequently centers LGBTQ+ themes in their songwriting and public persona.
- Destin Conrad – Nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album (Love on Digital). Destin Conrad is openly queer and celebrated for amplifying LGBTQ+ voices in the R&B scene.
What to watch
- Are any of these artists poised to win in the “Big Four” categories (Record, Album, Song, Best New Artist)? A win for a queer-identifying nominee in one of the top slots would carry special cultural resonance.
- Will the nominations influence broader musical and social trends : in queer representation, in industry support, in visibility?
- How are ally-artists (those not openly queer but supportive of the LGBTQ+ community) recognized and received in this context?
Full List of 2026 Grammy Nominations
Here is how nominations shaped up across major categories:
Record of the Year
- “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
- “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
- “Anxiety” – Doechii
- “Wildflower” – Billie Eilish
- “Abracadabra” – Lady Gaga
- “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar with SZA
- “The Subway” – Chappell Roan
- “APT.” – Rosé, Bruno Mars
Album of the Year
- Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny
- Swag – Justin Bieber
- Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
- Let God Sort ’Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T & Malice
- Mayhem – Lady Gaga
- GNX – Kendrick Lamar
- Mutt – Leon Thomas
- Chromakopia – Tyler, the Creator
Song of the Year
- “Abracadabra” – Henry Walter, Lady Gaga & Andrew Watt (songwriters)
- “Anxiety” – Jaylah Hickmon (songwriter) (Doechii)
- “APT.” – Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park, Theron Thomas & Henry Walter (songwriters) (Rosé, Bruno Mars)
- “DtMF” – Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Hugo René Sención Sanabria, Tyler Thomas Spry & Roberto José Rosado Torres (songwriters) (Bad Bunny)
- “Golden [From “KPop Demon Hunters”]” – EJAE & Mark Sonnenblick (songwriters) (HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI)
- “Luther” – Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha, Matthew Bernard, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Ink, Kendrick Lamar, Solána Rowe, Mark Anthony Spears & Kamasi Washington (songwriters) (Kendrick Lamar with SZA)
- “Manchild” – Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter (songwriters) (Sabrina Carpenter)
- “Wildflower” – Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell (songwriters) (Billie Eilish)
Best New Artist
- Olivia Dean
- KATSEYE
- The Marias
- Addison Rae
- Sombr
- Leon Thomas
- Alex Warren
- Lola Young
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
- Dan Auerbach
- Cirkut
- Dijon
- Blake Mills
- Sounwave
Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
- Amy Allen
- Edgar Barrera
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Tobias Jesso Jr.
- Laura Veltz
Best Pop Solo Performance
- “Daisies” — Justin Bieber
- “Manchild” — Sabrina Carpenter
- “Disease” — Lady Gaga
- “The Subway” — Chappell Roan
- “Messy” — Lola Young
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
- “Defying Gravity” – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
- “Golden [From “KPop Demon Hunters”]” – HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI
- “Gabriela” – KATSEYE
- “APT.” – Rosé, Bruno Mars
- “30 for 30” – SZA with Kendrick Lamar
Best Pop Vocal Album
- Swag – Justin Bieber
- Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
- Something Beautiful – Miley Cyrus
- Mayhem – Lady Gaga
- I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) – Teddy Swims
For the full list across all 95 categories, visit the Grammys official website.
