If the Best New Artist nominees had one thing in common tonight, it was that they each gave scene-stealing performances for their Grammy stage debuts.
In that company was British singer-songwriter Raye, who was nominated for three prizes tonight—including Best New Artist—and who had the entire Crypto.com arena enraptured with her performance of “Oscar Winning Tears.”
While performing her My 21st Century Blues track, Raye wore a sequined, long-sleeve black dress with structured shoulders, switching out of the Armani Privé gown she wore on the red carpet.
But while her look was something to admire, it was her vocals that completely stole the show. Throughout her number, Raye went on a number of vocal runs that lasted longer than some of the evening’s acceptance speeches, and she looked totally at ease while hitting notes that would’ve even had her musical foremothers gasping.
Despite not collecting any of the awards she was nominated for tonight, this likely won’t be the last time we see Raye at the Grammys. Back in 2024, she spoke to Harper’s Bazaar about her recent rise to fame and finally receiving her due as a singer and songwriter.
“I’ve waited so long and I’ve worked so hard for a moment like right now. With what we’re achieving and the opportunities and the doors that are opening for us—how dare I take a second to not work the hardest that I’ve ever worked?” she shared. “Before, [my career was about] just desperately yearning for the validation of others, and now I’m doing what I truly love—and that is priceless. I don’t have room for regrets.”
