Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Win First Grammy of 2026

BREAKING: The 68th annual Grammy Awards have just kicked off in Los Angeles, and the first award has been claimed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for their performance of “Defying Gravity.” The award was presented during the Premiere Ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena on February 1, 2026, hosted by musician Darren Criss. The duo was not present to accept the award live.

This year, a total of 86 Grammys will be awarded during the pre-telecast, marking a return to a focus on music after last year’s event was heavily centered on relief efforts from devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The energy at the Premiere Ceremony is palpable, with the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire opening the show with a dynamic performance of “Shining Star,” alongside artists including Israel Houghton and Grace Potter.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. remarked, “That’s how you start a show! That’s a statement. That’s joy. That’s resilience,” setting a high tone for the evening.

The main ceremony will air live on CBS at 8 p.m. Eastern. Fans can also stream the Grammy Awards through various platforms, including Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Paramount+. For those wanting to catch the red carpet action, a four-hour show featuring interviews and fashion will be streamed live on YouTube and APNews.com.

This year’s ceremony promises to be a star-studded event with Kendrick Lamar leading the nominations with nine. Close behind are Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Cirkut, each with seven nominations. Other notable nominees include Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Leon Thomas, all boasting six nominations.

Presenters at the Grammys include notable figures like Harry Styles, Carole King, and Queen Latifah. The performance lineup is equally impressive, featuring heavyweights like Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and all eight nominees for Best New Artist.

As the excitement builds, fans and industry insiders alike are anticipating history-making moments at this year’s ceremony. Stay tuned for updates as the night unfolds, and don’t miss the chance to witness music history in the making!