Olivia Dean tears up during sweet Grammys 2026 Best New Artist acceptance speech
Olivia Dean tears up during sweet Grammys 2026 Best New Artist acceptance speech
Sydney BucksbaumMon, February 2, 2026 at 4:08 AM UTC
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Olivia Dean at the 2026 Grammys
Johnny Nunez/Getty
Olivia Dean just got the award she needs.
After the "Man I Need" singer dazzled viewers during the 2026 Grammy Awards Best New Artist medley early in Sunday's ceremony, she then went on to (deservedly) win the trophy. And the British singer-songwriter, 26, couldn't contain her emotions during her sweet acceptance speech as she teared up immediately.
"Thank you," Dean said as she smiled through her tears. "Jesus Christ, I never really imagined that I would be up here, let alone nominated. So thank you so much."
Olivia Dean performs 'Man I Need' at the 2026 Grammys
Stewart Cook/CBS
Dean went on to shout out her best friend and manager, as well as her family, for all their support leading up to this career highlight.
"I just want to say that an artist is really nothing without their team," she said. "Emily, my best friend, my manager, we've been doing this for 10 years, so this is for you too! And my family."
Dean also shared a powerful message amid the current fraught political climate in America.
"I guess I want to say I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant," she added. "I wouldn't be here — "
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She had to pause as the audience erupted in massive applause and cheers.
"Yeah, I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated," she continued when the applause finally died down. "We're nothing without each other."
She ended her speech with: "Thank you so much, I love you."
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Dean beat out her Best New Artist fellow nominees Katseye, The Marias, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young.
The entire class of nominees rocked the house earlier in the ceremony with an extended medley of all their biggest hits. The near-perfect performances featured Young's triumphant return after a hiatus due to her health. The only low moment was due to a technical glitch during Warren's section, when he lost his in-ear piece and struggled to stay on beat for some of "Ordinary."
The 68th Grammy Awards aired Sunday, Feb. 1, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+. See the full list of winners here.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
