Sabrina Carpenter is officially headed back to music’s biggest stage.
The Recording Academy confirmed Tuesday that the pop star will perform at the 68th Grammy Awards, making her the first artist announced for the 2026 ceremony, set for Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The news positions Carpenter at the center of a night already shaping up to be a celebration of pop dominance.
This marks Carpenter’s second consecutive year performing during the Grammys broadcast. Last year, she made her ceremony debut with a polished, showgirl-inspired medley of “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” a performance that quickly became one of the night’s most replayed moments. The appearance also capped off a banner evening for the singer, who left with trophies for best pop vocal album and best pop solo performance.
A Grammys Favorite Once Again
Carpenter enters this year’s Grammys as one of the most-nominated artists overall, landing six nominations across major and genre categories. Her album Man’s Best Friend earned nods for album of the year and best pop vocal album, while its lead single, “Manchild,” is up for record of the year, song of the year, best pop solo performance and best music video.
“Manchild” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June, becoming Carpenter’s first song to enter the chart at the top spot. Man’s Best Friend followed suit later in the year, opening at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Her previous album, Short n’ Sweet, accomplished the same feat in September 2024, underscoring her consistent chart presence.
Pop Powerhouses Dominate the Field
Carpenter isn’t the only heavyweight heading into the ceremony with momentum. Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny are also nominated in all three general field categories, album, record and song of the year, setting up a competitive race at the top of the ballot.
More performers are expected to be announced in the coming days, though opening the lineup is a strong signal of Carpenter’s standing with the Recording Academy. The performer reveal traditionally sets the tone for the show, and this year’s choice reflects a moment where commercial success and cultural visibility are closely aligned.
A Milestone Year for the Grammys
The 2026 ceremony carries added significance beyond the nominees. This will be the final year the Grammys air on CBS before the broadcast moves to Disney beginning next year. It also marks Trevor Noah’s sixth, and final, turn as host, making him the first person to helm six consecutive Grammy telecasts since Andy Williams hosted the show from 1971 to 1977.
The show will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The ceremony is produced by Fulwell Entertainment for the Recording Academy, with Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, Jesse Collins and Noah serving as executive producers.
For Carpenter, the performance announcement is the latest indicator of her current pop stature. Earlier this year, she was tapped to open SNL50: The Anniversary Special, sharing the stage with Paul Simon for a duet of “Homeward Bound.”
With nominations, chart milestones and another Grammy spotlight ahead, Carpenter’s return to the Grammys feels less like a victory lap and more like confirmation of a pop era still gaining speed.
