The Recording Academy is doubling down on one of last year’s most crowd-pleasing ideas. For the second consecutive year, all eight Best New Artist nominees will take the Grammy stage, turning one of the night’s most anticipated categories into a full-scale showcase on Music’s Biggest Night.
© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AEGJoining the already announced Sabrina Carpenter, the Best New Artist contenders set to perform are Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, sombr, and The Marías.
The move follows the success of the 2025 ceremony, when every nominee in the category also appeared onstage. It was a moment that many fans and industry insiders praised for spotlighting emerging talent at a pivotal point in their careers.
© Mariano RegidorCarpenter, who was herself a Best New Artist nominee last year, became the first performer announced for the 2026 telecast. At the 2025 Grammys, she opened the Best New Artist segment with a medley of “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.”
That segment also featured Chappell Roan, who ultimately won the award, alongside Khruangbin, Benson Boone, Doechii, Teddy Swims, Shaboozey, and Raye.
© Johnny NunezThe return of the all-nominee performance format didn’t come as a total surprise. In a recent Billboard interview, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. hinted that the show would once again elevate multiple Best New Artist nominees. “I know how much people enjoyed that last year, and I was really proud of how it came off, so we’ll see how that happens again this year," he said.
© IG: Jessica AlbaAmong this year’s nominees, Leon Thomas leads the pack with six Grammy nominations, the most of any Best New Artist contender. His nods include Best R&B Performance for the live version of his breakout hit “Mutt.”
Both Lola Young and KATSEYE earned two nominations each. Young is also up for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy,” while KATSEYE scored an additional nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with “Gabriela.”
© Dimitrios KambourisBeyond the Best New Artist spotlight, the night will be a major one for Carpenter. The two-time Grammy winner is nominated this year for Record of the Year (“Manchild”), Album of the Year (Man’s Best Friend), Song of the Year (“Manchild”), Best Pop Solo Performance (“Manchild”), Best Pop Vocal Album (Man’s Best Friend), and Best Music Video (“Manchild”).
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will air live on Sunday, Feb. 1, from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, broadcasting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS, with live and on-demand streaming available on Paramount+.
© David BeckerTrevor Noah returns as host for the sixth consecutive time, making him the first person since Andy Williams (1971–77) to host six straight Grammy telecasts.
Additional performers are expected to be announced in the coming days. But with every Best New Artist nominee already confirmed, and Sabrina Carpenter back onstage, the 2026 Grammys are shaping up to be less about introductions and more about coronations.
