From Gaga’s Triumph to Lola Young’s Upset: Highlights from the 2026 Grammys

Lady Gaga added another milestone to her storied career at the 2026 Grammy Awards, winning Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem and used the moment not just to celebrate, but to send a message.

Taking the stage visibly emotional, Gaga said she was “honoured” to be standing among fellow artists, reflecting on a journey that began when she was a child making music. “Every time I’m here, I still feel like I have to pinch myself,” she said, thanking her partner Michael, whom she credited as a constant presence and creative collaborator throughout the album’s making.

“This record stands for discipline, hard work and craftsmanship,” Gaga said. “That’s really what Mayhem is to me.” The win marks her second Grammy in the Best Pop Vocal Album category, after her 2011 victory for The Fame Monster, reaffirming her staying power in an industry constantly chasing the next sound.

A message to women in music

But it was Gaga’s words beyond the trophy that resonated most.

Acknowledging the challenges women often face in male-dominated studios, she urged women to trust themselves and stand their ground. “Listen to yourself. Fight for your ideas. Fight for your songs. Fight for yourself as a producer and make sure you are heard loudly,” she said.

It was a moment that cut through the spectacle of the Grammys—part rallying cry, part reflection—underscoring Gaga’s role not just as a pop star, but as a voice of authority in contemporary music.

A Grammy upset: Lola Young steals the spotlight

While Gaga dominated the night’s narrative, one of the ceremony’s biggest surprises came in the Best Pop Solo Performance category.

Lola Young, an emerging artist, claimed her first-ever Grammy, defeating heavyweights including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. Overcome with emotion, Young thanked the audience simply: “I’m very grateful for this. I love you, everybody.”

The win marked a breakout moment for the singer, whose journey began with her debut single 6 Feet Under in 2019, signaling the Grammys’ continuing appetite for new voices alongside established icons.

Ricky Kej brings India, sustainability to the Grammys

Indian composer and three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej made his 11th consecutive appearance at the awards, drawing attention for blending music, culture, and sustainability.

Kej wore a handcrafted black achkan with an embroidered Asiatic lion, paired with a traditional gold dhoti and jewellery inspired by handmade pieces gifted by a Banjara woman in Rajasthan. Emphasising sustainability, he said he would re-wear the outfit across events, reinforcing his #ReWear4Earth commitment.

“Walking into the Grammys still gives me that rush,” Kej said, noting the strong presence of Indian nominees this year. “It’s impossible not to feel inspired in a room filled with so much creativity.”

A night of scale and spectacle

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah for the final time, unfolded at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, featuring performances by Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and others, alongside an In Memoriam segment honouring legends such as Ozzy Osbourne and Roberta Flack.

With Kendrick Lamar leading the nominations and a diverse Album of the Year field—including Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Tyler, The Creator—the 2026 Grammys balanced legacy and reinvention.

But if one moment captured the night’s spirit, it was Gaga’s reminder that behind every award is conviction and the courage to defend it.

(With inputs from ANI)