From Billie Eilish to Bad Bunny: Emotional Grammy wins, bold anti-ICE statements turn Grammys 2026 into a night of protest

The 2026 Grammy Awards unfolded as more than a celebration of music, emerging as a stage where personal triumph met pointed political expression. While breakthrough wins highlighted fresh talent, the ceremony was equally defined by artists using their moment to speak out on immigration, power and identity.

Olivia Dean marked a career milestone by winning Best New Artist, securing her first Grammy and one of the night’s most heartfelt reactions. Visibly emotional, the British singer thanked her collaborators, team and family, describing the win as a culmination of years of steady work rather than sudden success. Briefly touching on her heritage, Dean spoke of courage inherited from previous generations, a sentiment that resonated strongly with the audience.



Known for her soulful, genre-blending sound, Dean has steadily built momentum through tracks such as Man I Need and Nice to Each Other. Her recent album The Art of Loving has expanded her global reach, positioning her as one of pop’s most introspective rising voices. The win confirmed her transition from viral favourite to critically recognised artist.



If Dean’s moment represented personal achievement, Bad Bunny delivered one of the ceremony’s most politically charged statements. Accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album, the Puerto Rican superstar opened his speech with a blunt call to dismantle ICE, drawing loud applause and immediate online reaction. Framing his remarks around dignity and humanity, Bad Bunny spoke about the fear and uncertainty faced by immigrant communities, using his platform to challenge systemic enforcement policies.




His remarks set the tone for a wider show of solidarity that unfolded throughout the evening. Billie Eilish took the stage with a powerful and unfiltered message during her acceptance speech. “No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said, prompting a strong round of applause from the audience. She continued, “It’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now. I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting. And our voices really do matter, and the people matter. F–k ICE. That’s all I’m going to say. Sorry. Thank you so much.”




Earlier, on the red carpet, Eilish had also made a quiet but unmistakable statement, wearing a prominently displayed “ICE Out” pin to signal support for immigrant rights. The gesture was mirrored by Brandi Carlile, reinforcing a shared message of dissent that resonated across the ceremony and beyond the stage, blending both symbolic and spoken protest into one powerful statement.




Kehlani took a more confrontational stance, condemning immigration authorities both on the red carpet and during her acceptance speeches for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. Her remarks were unapologetic and emotional, urging artists to use their influence when injustice feels immediate. Joni Mitchell, accepting Best Historical Album earlier in the evening, quietly echoed the message by wearing the same pin, lending the movement generational weight.




Justin and Hailey Bieber also joined the visual protest, while Jason Isbell, Margo Price and Rhiannon Giddens added to the growing list of artists aligning music with political conscience.





Together, these moments shaped a Grammys ceremony that balanced celebration with confrontation. Olivia Dean’s win highlighted the emotional power of recognition rooted in persistence, while Bad Bunny’s speech underscored how global stars are increasingly unwilling to separate art from accountability.

The 2026 Grammys ultimately reflected an industry aware of its influence, using the spotlight not only to honour music but to amplify voices calling for change.