NewKerala.com

Olivia Dean Wins Best New Artist Grammy, Honors Immigrant Roots in Tearful Speech

British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean was awarded the Grammy for Best New Artist at the 2026 ceremony in Los Angeles. In an emotional acceptance speech, she dedicated the win to her manager and best friend, Emily, thanking her team of ten years. Dean powerfully framed her achievement as a tribute to her immigrant family roots, stating she is "a product of bravery." She rose to fame with viral songs like 'Man I Need,' which charted highly on the Billboard Hot 100.

Key Points: Olivia Dean Wins Best New Artist Grammy 2026

  • First-time Grammy winner
  • Emotional tribute to immigrant family
  • Beat nominees like KATSEYE & Addison Rae
  • Viral hits like 'Man I Need'
2 min read

"Here as a granddaughter of an immigrant": Olivia Dean breaks down in tears after winning Best New Artist at 2026 Grammys

British singer Olivia Dean wins Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys, dedicating the award to her team and her immigrant family heritage.

"I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. - Olivia Dean"

Los Angeles, February 2

British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean was crowned Best New Artist at the ongoing Grammy 2026 Awards.

The 26-year-old artist became a first-time Grammy winner on Sunday, February 2, at the ceremony held in Los Angeles.

Dean was among a strong group of nominees who took the stage. Last year's winner, Chappell Roan, announced her name, and Olivia could not hold back her tears as she walked up to accept the award.

During her speech, Dean took a moment to thank the people who have supported her for years. She spoke about her close team, especially her manager and best friend, and how long they have worked together. While sharing her feelings, she said, "I never really imagined that I would be up here, let alone nominated. So thank you so much. I just want to say that an artist is really nothing without their team. Emily, my best friend, my manager, we've been doing this for 10 years," she said. "So this is for you, too, my family."

She then spoke about her background and what the moment meant to her personally. Talking about her roots and family history, Dean said she was proud to stand on that stage as "a granddaughter of an immigrant."

"I guess I want to say I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn't be here -- I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We're nothing without each other. Thank you so much."

Olivia Dean first became popular with viral songs like 'Man I Need and Nice to Each Other.'

'Her song Man I Need reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and her album The Art of Loving debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200,' according to PEOPLE.

She had shared her Grammy nomination news earlier on Instagram in November, writing that she needed time to process it and thanking the Recording Academy and her fans.

At the 2026 Grammys, she beat other nominees like KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young.

The Grammy Awards are being held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and are being shown live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great to see her win! But honestly, the Grammys feel a bit distant sometimes. Wish our Indian artists got more global recognition on such platforms. Our music industry has so much talent that deserves this kind of spotlight too.
A
Ananya R
"A product of bravery" – that line really hit home. So many of us in India have similar stories of grandparents or parents moving for a better life. Her win feels like a win for all those quiet, courageous journeys. More power to her! ✨
D
David E
Respect for shouting out her team. In our film industry here, we also see how success is never a solo effort. It's always about the unit—the directors, producers, technicians. Good on her for keeping it real.
S
Siddharth J
Happy for her, but let's be real—the Grammys have a history of questionable choices. I hope this award is truly based on merit and not just popular sentiment or trends. Still, her speech was genuine, which is refreshing.
K
Kavya N
Her story resonates so much! As someone whose family moved cities for opportunities, I understand that deep sense of carrying forward a legacy. It's not just an award; it's validation for an entire family's dreams. Well deserved!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50