The Recording Academy recently unveiled the full list of nominees for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, and as always, there were both surprises and snubs in the selection. While artists like Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga dominated the nominations, some familiar names were notably absent from the lineup. Stars such as Lorde, Gracie Abrams, and Megan Moroney found themselves shut out of the competition, much to the disappointment of their fans.
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Lorde, who made a triumphant return to the music scene with her album “Virgin” earlier in the year, failed to secure any nominations despite receiving critical acclaim for her work. The New Zealand artist, known for hits like “Royals,” has previously been recognised by the Recording Academy, winning two Grammys in 2014. However, her recent projects did not make the cut for this year’s awards.
Another notable absence from the nominations list is The Weeknd, who has had a complex relationship with the Grammys in the past. Despite his successful album releases and past wins, the artist did not receive any nods this year. Gracie Abrams, whose single “That’s So True” topped the charts, also found herself without any Grammy nominations, despite her rising popularity in the music industry.
Megan Moroney, who saw success with her country music releases in previous years, also missed out on a nomination this time around. Similarly, Role Model, who had a breakout year with his viral hit “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” did not receive any recognition from the Recording Academy for his music.
On the flip side, there were some surprising inclusions in the nominations list. The soundtrack from the hit musical “Wicked” received multiple nominations, including a nod for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for the song “Defying Gravity,” performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. This marks the first time a song from a musical has been nominated in this category since its inception.
Additionally, the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, which gained immense popularity following its release on Netflix, earned multiple nominations at the 2026 Grammy Awards. With four songs charting in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, the soundtrack is a strong contender in categories like Song of the Year and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
In a surprising twist, Fabrice Morvan of Milli Vanilli, the infamous R&B duo stripped of their Grammy Award in the ’80s, received a nomination for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for his book “You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli.” This marks a redemption of sorts for Morvan, who has since reflected on his past experiences in the music industry.
As music fans eagerly await the 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, set to take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026, the snubs and surprises in this year’s nominations are sure to spark conversations and debates among enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more updates on the Grammy Awards and the latest in the music industry.