Zara Larsson said she opposed her former record label Epic Records’ plan to put her forward for the Best New Artist category at the 2027 Grammy Awards. The 28-year-old singer said this would diminish her 13-year career and stated that she is not a new artist.
Larsson’s 5th studio album, Midnight Sun, topped the charts in Sweden and received international acclaim. The album was nominated for Best Pop Dance Recording at this year’s Grammy Awards but lost to Lady Gaga’s song Abracadabra. Under Academy rules, artists who have previously received Grammy nominations cannot compete in the Best New Artist category.
Larsson, who rose to fame after winning the program Talang at the age of 10, continued her career with songs such as 2013’s Uncover and 2015’s Lush Life. The artist said she did not object to 2025 being seen as a “breakthrough” year for her, adding that the world had started paying attention to her all at once.
Why it matters
Larsson’s objection has also reignited debate over how the Best New Artist category evaluates not only names who have gained visibility recently, but also artists who have maintained careers for many years. Her 13-year career, early recognition and previous Grammy nomination show why viewing the increased global attention in 2025 as the start of a new career is controversial. This highlights the difference between an artist reaching a broad audience late and being new to the industry. As the divide between the record label’s approach and the artist’s perception of her career continues, the question of how the nomination plan will fare under Grammy rules and in light of her existing nomination history remains open.