Grammy Awards 2026 Unfolds: Early Wins, Red Carpet Glamour, and Kendrick Lamar Leads Noms

Music's biggest night, the 2026 Grammy Awards, is officially underway from Los Angeles. Ahead of the anticipated 8 p.m. ET telecast, the red carpet has already set the stage for glamour and early wins have begun to solidify careers, most notably for filmmaker Steven Spielberg. With host Trevor Noah returning for his sixth consecutive year and Kendrick Lamar dominating the nominations with nine nods, the evening promises a celebration of musical achievement and cultural impact.

Early Triumphs: Spielberg Achieves EGOT Status and More

The 2026 Grammy Awards wasted no time in making headlines, with legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg achieving coveted EGOT status. Spielberg secured his first Grammy win for his role as a producer on the "Music by John Williams" documentary. This triumph in the Best Music Film category was announced during the non-televised portion of the awards ceremony. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Spielberg expressed profound gratitude, emphasizing John Williams' "immeasurable" cultural influence and "unrivalled" artistry. This remarkable achievement marks a significant highlight early in the evening's proceedings, as detailed by TODAY.com.

Other notable early wins include Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for "Defying Gravity" in Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Chris Stapleton for Best Country Solo Performance. "Amen" by Shaboozey and Jelly Roll took home Best Country Duo/Group Performance, while Tyler Childers' "Bitin’ List" was recognized as Country Song. The premiere ceremony, live-streamed before the main event, also saw honors for Ejae and Mark Sonnenblick for "Golden (From 'KPop Demon Hunters')" in Song Written for Visual Media.

Red Carpet Revelations: Fashion and Sentimental Moments

The red carpet, which commenced at 6 p.m. ET, has been a vibrant display of fashion and heartfelt interactions. Singer Addison Rae, nominated for Best New Artist and slated to perform, graced the carpet in a playful, plunging white tutu dress designed by Alaïa. She humorously confirmed having Diet Pepsi in her green room, a nod to her popular song. Tyla, known for "Water," opted for a sheer gold Dsquared2 gown, creating a captivating visual.

K-pop sensation Rosé exuded elegance in a custom Giambattista Valli Couture black mini-dress with a voluminous powder pink skirt, recognized for her three nominations for the duet "APT" with Bruno Mars. Regional Mexican band Fuerza Regida made a bold statement in fiery red ensembles, reflecting their deep connection to their Mexican-American community. Meanwhile, Yungblud shared a poignant reunion with Sharon Osbourne, expressing the "bittersweet" nature of his three nominations given the influence of Ozzy Osbourne, telling E! that "It all goes to Ozzy tonight."

Actress, singer, and producer Rita Wilson brought a special guest to the Grammys: her granddaughter Olivia Hanks. The duo sparkled on the red carpet, with Wilson in a black and silver sequined gown and Olivia in a navy dress with silver straps. Sabrina Carpenter, returning to the Grammys stage after winning her first Grammy in 2025, appeared in an intricately beaded white Valentino gown, radiating "old world elegance."

Performances and Presenters: A Star-Studded Lineup

The 2026 Grammy Awards are set to feature an extraordinary array of performers and presenters. Justin Bieber makes a highly anticipated return to the Grammy stage, alongside other titans like Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Post Malone. A special segment will highlight all Best New Artist nominees, including Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR, and The Marías. Clipse and Pharrell Williams are also expected to perform their nominated work "Let God Sort Em Out," with Sabrina Carpenter completing the performance roster.

The presenting cast is equally impressive, with Harry Styles, Teyana Taylor, Carole King, Nikki Glaser, and Karol G among those set to hand out awards. Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Doechii, Jeff Goldblum, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernández, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, and an unannounced surprise presenter are also confirmed to take the stage TODAY.com reports.

Kendrick Lamar Leads a Competitive Field for Album of the Year

Kendrick Lamar enters the 2026 Grammys as the leading nominee with a remarkable nine nods, positioning him as a strong contender across multiple categories. A category that is particularly drawing attention is Album of the Year, which features a diverse and highly competitive group of artists. Nominees for this coveted award include Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse, Lady Gaga, Leon Thomas, and Tyler, the Creator. The breadth of genres and artistic voices in this category underscores the rich tapestry of music celebrated tonight.

J Balvin, nominated for Best Música Urbana Album for "Mixteip," expressed his humility and pride in elevating Latino culture. Accompanied by partner Valentina Ferrer, Balvin highlighted the importance of supporting fellow Latin stars like Bad Bunny and Karol G, embracing his 40s with a focus on family and creating music for enjoyment.

Trending Styles and Personal Stories

The red carpet saw a recurring theme of daring fashion, with artists like Zara Larsson and Rhea Raj embracing "body-baring" ensembles. Larsson described her hand-beaded, golden two-piece as "giving sexy summer mermaid," inspired by her nominated album "Midnight Sun." Personal stories also shone through, as Pentatonix member Scott Hoying and his husband, Mark Hoying, wore pink to the Grammys days after announcing they are expecting a baby girl in June 2026. These intimate moments, intertwined with the awards and performances, add layers of personal narrative to music's biggest night.