Olivia Dean Defends Immigrants During Best New Artist Speech

Olivia Dean teared up as she accepted the award for Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys. The accomplishment comes after a whirlwind year for the British singer-songwriter, following the success of her second album The Art of Loving.

“For me, I never really imagined that I would be up here, let alone nominated,” Dean said smiling in a sparkly black dress. She took a moment to thank her best friend, and manager, Emily: “We’ve been doing this for 10 years,” she said. Then she made a point to recognize her background and her family history with immigration: “I want to say I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here. I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.” Her comments come as immigrants in the U.S. have faced mass deportations and aggression from ICE, which continues its brutal tactics in Minneapolis.

Dean ended her speech with a note of positivity: “We’re nothing without each other. Thank you so much. I love you.”

Chappell Roan, who won the pivotal award at last year’s ceremony, introduced the nominees this year. (She seems to have gotten contacts since presenting at the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.)

Throughout 2025, Dean’s honeyed vocals were inescapable. Released in September, her album The Art of Loving debuted at Number Eight on the Billboard 200 and yielded a slew of R&B hits like “Man I Need,” “Nice to Each Other,” “So Easy (to Fall in Love),” and “A Couple Minutes.” “Man I Need” climbed all the way to Number Two on the Billboard Hot 100.

The singer was up against a number of talented acts in the stacked Best New Artist category. She beat out fellow Brit Lola Young, The Marías, Leon Thomas, Addison Rae, Katseye, Alex Warren, and Sombr, who were all nominated. Earlier in the night, all of the artists gathered for a medley of their hit songs from the past year. The award is the only Grammy nomination Dean received this year.

Dean is the ninth consecutive woman to win the trophy, following Victoria Monét, Samara Joy, Olivia Rodrigo, and Megan Thee Stallion in the last four years.

From Rolling Stone US.