Grammy Noms 2026: Doechii, Gaga And Chappell Lead Another Queer Power Year
After last year’s gloriously gay Grammy ceremony, 2026 keeps the good times going with queer icons and rising stars leading the charge.
Featured image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
The 2026 Grammy nominations dropped late last week, and while last year’s ceremony was practically a queer rave in formalwear, this year’s lineup proves the vibe isn’t slowing down. The 68th Annual Grammys, happening February 1 at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, might not out-gay 2025’s spectacle, but they’re still shaping up to be one of the most queer-inclusive awards nights on record.
Here’s a look at the LGBTQ+ artists leading the charge toward what could be another proudly colorful night for music’s biggest stage.
Gaga Remains Mother
Lady Gaga continues her reign as pop’s eternal shape-shifter, collecting eight nominations that span multiple genres. Her album Mayhem scored a nod for Album of the Year, while the cinematic single “Abracadabra” landed in both Record and Song of the Year. She’s also competing in Best Pop Solo Performance with “Disease” and once again shows up in the dance categories for Abracadabra and its remix. As if that weren’t enough, Gaga’s lush side project Harlequin grabbed a nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Doechii’s “Anxiety” Keeps Rising
Few songs this year hit harder than Doechii’s “Anxiety.” The track earned nominations in Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video. It’s a massive showing for one of rap’s most dynamic queer voices.
Related: Queer Women Made The 2025 Grammys Gay With A Capital G, And We Have The Receipts
Billie Eilish and the Art of the Soft Glow
Billie Eilish returns to the Big Three with “WILDFLOWER,” a dreamy ballad that’s earned her nominations for both Record and Song of the Year.
Chappell Roan’s Subway to Stardom
After a breakout year and an unforgettable performance at last year’s Grammys, Chappell Roan is back in the conversation with “The Subway,” a dark, glitter-soaked pop ballad about heartbreak and self-discovery. It’s nominated for both Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, further cementing Roan as the queer pop girl of the moment. As she put it when announcing this year’s nominees, “Do what feels right. Good art always rises; don’t worry about the momentum.”
Related: Katseye Brought The Heat To The Grammy Museum Rooftop
A New Wave of Queer Talent
The Best New Artist category feels especially fresh this year. KATSEYE, the genre-bending pop collective featuring bisexual members Lara and Megan, earned a nomination alongside London’s Lola Young, whose soulful storytelling and openness about sexuality have made her one to watch.
Pop also stays sparkly with KATSEYE’s single “Gabriela,” appearing in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, while Lola Young’s “Messy” competes in Best Pop Solo Performance. It’s a strong reminder that queerness isn’t confined to the underground anymore; it’s at the center of pop culture.
R&B’s Queer Renaissance
Over in the R&B category are two standout queer voices. Durand Bernarr collected three nominations: Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Here We Are,” Best R&B Song for “Overqualified,” and Best Progressive R&B Album for BLOOM.
Kehlani also joins the party with nominations for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “Folded.”
Legends Still Flying the Flag
Sir Elton John and Brandi Carlile teamed up for Who Believes in Angels?, nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. The pair also earned a nod for Best Song Written for Visual Media with “Never Too Late,” from Elton John: Never Too Late.
The Wickedly Queer Crew
The Wicked soundtrack, nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, boasts a lineup packed with LGBTQ+ stars including Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, and Bronwyn James. Erivo also appears as an arranger for Be Okay in Best Arrangement (Instrumental or A Cappella).
Gay for Grammy
So, is 2026 as “gay af” as last year’s Grammys? It just might be. Queer artists are present in nearly every major category, from the pop titans we’ve loved for years to the fresh voices redefining the landscape. If that’s a reflection of where music is headed, count us in.
If you’re the type who actually reads every category (respect), you can find the full list of all 95 nominees over on the Grammys’ official site.
