Bad Bunny, Olivia Dean and Kendrick Lamar among early winners at the 2026 Grammy Awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 68th annual Grammy Awards are taking place Sunday in Los Angeles. Olivia Dean has won best new artist. Kendrick Lamar won the first televised award for best rap album. That brings him to a total of 26 career Grammys, the most of any rapper. Rosé and Bruno Mars opened the 2026 Grammy Awards with an electric performance, followed by Sabrina Carpenter. Trevor Noah is hosting the main show, airing live on CBS. At the pre-televised Premiere Ceremony there were many first-time winners. Steven Spielberg won a Grammy, becoming an EGOT winner. "Golden" from “KPop Demon Hunters” won song written for visual media, marking the first Grammy for a K-pop act.
FKA twigs, Addison Rae and others embrace playful, daring fashion on Grammys red carpet
The 68th Grammys red carpet is buzzing with bold fashion choices from stars like Addison Rae and FKA twigs. This year, artists are taking style risks, moving away from last year’s subdued looks. Lola Young and PinkPantheress showcased unique Vivienne Westwood outfits Sunday, while Zara Larsson dazzled in a yellow sequined set. FKA twigs brought her album “Eusexua” to life with a sheer Paolo Carzana dress. Rising stars like Rae and Sombr made statements with their attire. Stars toned down their attire last year due to the Los Angeles wildfires. The Associated Press is streaming a four-hour red carpet show with interviews and fashion footage on YouTube and APNews.com.
The Grammys bring more celebrity pushback to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown
Artists this awards season are having to decide whether and how to join the growing cultural revolt against the Trump administration's immigration crackdowns. Those questions will again surface Sunday when music’s biggest stars walk the red carpet at the Grammys. Activists are circulating anti-ICE pins after debuting them at the Golden Globes. But they're hoping for a better showing of support tonight than they got last month. Public backlash continues to grow after a Border Patrol officer fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti. Plus, Jess Morales Rocketto, one of the organizers, says the music industry tends to be less risk-averse than Hollywood.
Olivia Dean wins Grammy award for best new artist
Olivia Dean won the Grammy award for best new artist. The Grammy is designed for artists who achieve “a breakthrough into the public consciousness.” Eligible artists must have released at least five singles or one album, though there is no maximum. Dean is part of a growing class of young U.K.-born vocalists. She made waves last year with her romantic sophomore album “The Art of Loving." Dean bested KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young for the award.
Kennedy Center to close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says, after performers' backlash
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will move to close Washington’s Kennedy Center performing arts venue for two years starting in July for construction. Trump’s announcement on social media Sunday night follows a wave of cancellations by artists since Trump ousted the previous leadership and added his name to the building. Trump announced his plan days after the premiere of “Melania,” a documentary of the first lady, was shown at the storied venue. He says the proposal is subject to approval by the board of the Kennedy Center, which has been stocked with his hand-picked allies.
Host Trevor Noah takes aim at Nicky Minaj, goes easy on Kendrick Lamar at Grammys
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hosting the Grammy Awards for the sixth and final time, Trevor Noah poked fun at stars but went light on politics. During his monologue, he joked about Nicky Minaj meeting and praising Donald Trump at the White House, getting a big cheer when he said Minaj was not at the Grammys. He mostly avoided controversy, focusing on light-hearted humor. He praised Olivia Dean for her fight against Ticketmaster, and congratulated Kendrick Lamar, the night's biggest nominee. Noah reflected on Lamar's beef with Drake, and said he would steer clear of roasting Lamar and getting on his bad side.
XJ Kennedy, prize-winning poet and educator, dead at 96
NEW YORK (AP) — An award-winning poet, author, translator and educator has died. X.J. Kennedy was 96. He schooled millions of students through “The Bedford Reader” and other textbooks and engaged voluntary readers with his children’s stories and intricate, witty verse. Born Joseph Charles Kennedy, he chose the professional name X.J. Kennedy as a young man to avoid confusion with Joseph P. Kennedy, the father of President Kennedy. Starting in the early 1960s, he turned out dozens of poetry and children’s books, contributed to the popular Bedford Reader and collaborated with the poet Dana Gioia on anthologies of poetry, drama and fiction
‘Melania,’ panned by some film critics, opens with strong ticket sales for a documentary
NEW YORK (AP) — Promoted by President Donald Trump as “a must watch,” the Melania Trump documentary “Melania” debuted with a better-than-expected $7 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The release of “Melania” was unlike any seen before. Amazon MGM Studios paid $40 million for the rights, plus some $35 million to market it, making it the most expensive documentary ever. While the result would be a flop for most films with such high costs, “Melania” was a success by documentary standards. It’s the best opening weekend for a documentary, outside of concert films, in 14 years. The Sam Raimi-directed survival thriller “Send Help” was No. 1 with $20 million.
The Latest: Olivia Dean, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny among Grammy winners
Olivia Dean has taken home the best new artist award at the 68th annual Grammy Awards. Bad Bunny accepted the best música urbana album award for ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos,’ to a thunderous standing ovation. He said to the audience, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out.” The awards are airing live from Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+. Comedian Trevor Noah has returned to host Sunday night's show for his sixth consecutive time — and his last. Read along as AP reporters follow tonight’s awards and music’s biggest stars.
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