The 2026 Grammy nominations have brought significant recognition to artists ROSÉ and Leon Thomas, both celebrating multiple nods for their recent work. ROSÉ, known for her smash hit single “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars, has garnered prestigious nominations for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Her emotional reaction to the news was captured in a video she reposted on Instagram, showing her nervous anticipation turning into joyous disbelief as her name appeared on screen during the Friday (Nov. 7) nominations ceremony.

This achievement is particularly historic, as ROSÉ has become the first K-pop musician to secure one, let alone two, Big Four nominations as a lead artist. She had previously shared her long-held dream of winning a Grammy with The Hollywood Reporter, calling it “still a fantasy — a moment that proves to myself so many things.” Beyond ROSÉ's individual success, the K-pop genre saw a robust presence at the Grammys this year, with KPop Demon Hunters also earning nominations for Song of the Year, Best Song Written for Visual Media, and Best Pop Group Performance for their Billboard Hot 100 topper “Golden,” as well as Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Meanwhile, singer Leon Thomas woke up to an impressive six 2026 Grammy nominations, notably including Album of the Year for his breakthrough sophomore album, "Mutt," and a nod for Best New Artist. Expressing gratitude to his team, collaborators, family, and fans on Instagram, Thomas vowed to continue working harder on his next album. This year's general field nominations arrive poetically 15 years after his start as a Gen Z child star on Nickelodeon’s "Victorious."

Thomas is no stranger to Grammy recognition, having won his first award in 2023 for his production work on SZA’s “Snooze” and receiving a prior nod in 2020 for Best Rap Song for his contributions to Rick Ross and Drake’s “Gold Roses.” His album "Mutt" also received a nomination for Best R&B Album, with individual tracks like “Yes It Is” recognized for Best R&B Song, “Vibes Don’t Lie” for Best Traditional R&B Performance, and the NPR Tiny Desk live version of “Mutt” for Best R&B Performance.

These six Grammy nominations cap off a whirlwind breakthrough year for Thomas, which also saw him achieve his first Hot 100 top 10 hit with “Mutt” (No. 10), win Best New Artist at the BET Awards, make his late-night television debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and release the funk-forward EP "PHOLKS." He recently performed at Austin City Limits and embarked on his headlining "Mutts Don’t Heel Tour," spanning the U.S., Europe, and Australia, before concluding on April 19 in Perth. His manager, Jonathan Azu, envisions Thomas re-creating an iconic photograph with multiple trophies, a vision that seems increasingly within reach for the acclaimed artist.