Groundbreaking Nominees: Women and Gender-Expansive Artists at the Grammys

Grammys 2026

The Grammy Awards, an iconic annual ceremony celebrating musical excellence, is about more than just trophies; they are a reflection of the industry's constantly shifting landscape. This year's nominations not only celebrate popular talent but also spotlight the significant contributions of women and gender-expansive artists who are redefining what it means to succeed in music, and what that success means for the gender-expansive community in the music industry.

Among the list of nominees, several artists stand out for their impact, both in their respective categories and for their representation onstage.

Over 20 female artists were nominated for Grammys this year, many of them for multiple titles. At the top of the list is Lady Gaga, nominated for Album, Song, Record, Pop Vocal Album, and Pop Solo Performance of the Year, who has consistently demonstrated her versatility and power as a female performer in the pop industry. She is known for using her platform for advocacy related to LGBTQ+ issues, feminism and minority groups. 

“I hope to see women thriving and happy, loving what they’re doing, and being in control and powerful of what they create,” Gaga said in an interview with Glamour in 2017. 

As a perennial nominee and already a multiple-time winner, Gaga’s presence in this year’s lineup of nominations is a testament to her groundbreaking work over the course of her career, her commitment to theatrical and controversial performance art, and her lasting impression on generations of young women and LGBTQ+ artists to embrace their authentic identity. 

Girl Groups

Katseye, the K-Pop-influenced girl group , received nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance which is a major moment for global pop and a recognition of the world’s growing appetite for international acts. Katseye is made up of six women and girls, each with a different ethnic background, and two of the members are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

“In the industry, you don’t really see it as often,” said Megan, one of the members of Katseye, in a Teen Vogue interview, in reference to queerness in the K-Pop world.

 The traction they’ve gained since they started the group back in 2023 has revealed even more the universal appeal of talented and diverse all-female groups, which continues to pave the way for more diverse and queer voices in mainstream music. 

Another significant nomination was for Huntr/x, candidates for Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, and Best Song Written for Visual Media. The girl group from the popular animated movie, K-Pop Demon Hunters, is composed of Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. As singer-songwriters and rappers, their unique blend of R&B, hip-hop and alternative sounds, along with their distinct individual artistry is what heavily contributed to their success as Asian female artists. 

In an interview with NPR, Audrey Nuna said she was “... just staring into a sea of Korean faces — and I can just see like the raw heart and soul. And it just rocked me to my core. I was just like, what a resilient culture.”

The sister trio HAIM's continues their legacy of critical acclaim, reflected in their latest nomination for “Best Rock Album”, making this their 5th Grammy nomination. This speaks to the strength of their musicianship and songwriting. Hailing from southern California, HAIM are trailblazers for women in music–specifically rock music.

HAIM is also the first all-female group ever nominated for the Grammy category of Best Rock Album. Alana Haim said that “...we're just grateful for the women that came before us. That was our world, growing up, whether it be Stevie Nicks, or Joni Mitchell, or Pat Benatar.”

LGBTQ+ Representation

Over the years, we have seen more and more artists embrace their gender-expansive identity publicly. This recognition of gender-expansive and non-binary artists is necessary in the industry, in which men and cisgender people overwhelmingly overshadow them. These nominees are significant, not only for their musical achievements but also for providing vital representation and inspiration. 

To music fans, it is no secret that Miley Cyrus, a long-time fixture in the industry and multiple-time Grammy Award winner, has been increasingly recognized for her artistic evolution and fearless, sometimes dramatic, expression of identity. Her Grammy nomination this year, Best Pop Vocal Album for her recent album Something Beautiful showcases an artist who refuses to be confined by societal norms or social expectations, opening space for broader gender and stylistic freedom in music. 

“I think I'm weird because…I feel very genderless, I feel ageless, I feel like I'm just a spirit soul, not even divided by human being, or I treat the animals the same or, hopefully, treat the planet with as much respect as possible." 

Miley’s iconic “genderless” and “ageless” vibe, comparable to that of David Bowie, turns heads from all directions and is a driving factor of gender inclusivity in the pop music scene. 

Other significant nominees include Chappell Roan and Lola Young, two young LGBTQ+ artists who rose quickly to fame as a result of virality over the course of the past few years. Chappell Roan is nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. Lola Young also received two nominations: Best New Artist and Best Pop Solo Performance, for her song “Messy.”

Chappell Roan's blend of witty, vibrant pop, drag, her lesbian identity and other queer themes has garnered quite a dedicated following of people of all ages and identities, while Lola Young’s gender-expansive representation, raw emotional songs and storytelling has done the same. Their nominations represent an important greater queer presence in major award categories, which aren’t limited to just niche or queer-specific awards. 

Their collective success helps the Grammy stage reflect a more truthful and inclusive music industry, and major institutions like the Grammys are increasingly acknowledging diverse voices as central to contemporary music culture.

We strive to do the same over at We Make Noise, where we are dedicated to fostering gender equity by equipping women and gender-expansive artists with the resources and community needed to thrive in music and technology. 

Viewers can watch the 68th Annual Grammy Awards live this Sunday, February 1, at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT on CBS, or stream the ceremony via Paramount+.

What are your thoughts on this year’s nominees and the state of equity in the industry? Head over to the WMN Hub to join the conversation and share your perspective with our global community!

Written by Kendall Makuta