Olivia Dean had an unforgettable and emotional night at the Grammys as she claimed her first-ever award, marking a major milestone in her rising career. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter won Best New Artist at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1 for her breakout album Art of Loving, a moment that visibly overwhelmed her with emotion.
As fellow artist Chappell Roan announced her name, Dean struggled to hold back tears while making her way to the stage. In her acceptance speech, she spoke candidly about how unexpected the moment felt, admitting she never imagined she would even be nominated, let alone standing on the Grammy stage accepting one of the night’s most coveted honors. She thanked the Recording Academy and expressed deep gratitude for the support that carried her to that moment.
Dean went on to highlight the people who helped shape her journey, emphasizing the importance of her team and singling out her longtime manager and best friend, Emily. She shared that the two have been working side by side for a decade, calling the award a shared victory. She also dedicated the moment to her family, reflecting on her roots as the granddaughter of an immigrant and describing her win as a testament to her family’s courage and perseverance.
Before leaving the stage, Dean offered a heartfelt message about unity, reminding the audience that everyone is connected and that compassion still matters, even at the highest levels of success.
Her win came after a competitive race in the Best New Artist category, where she beat out seven other nominees, including Katseye, The Marías, Sombr, Alex Warren, Addison Rae, Lola Young, and Leon Thomas. The emotional victory solidified Olivia Dean’s status as one of music’s most compelling new voices and capped off a night she—and her fans—won’t soon forget.
