Olivia Deanhas won the Grammy for Best NewArtistandsheused her speech to celebrate the influence of immigration.
The London singer-songwriterwas one of the biggest winners atthe 68thannual Grammy Awards on Sunday night (February 1), picking up the prestigious Best New Artist award.
She beat out a host of other nominees –Katseye, The Marias,AddisonRae,Sombr, Leon Thomas,AlexWarrenandLola Young– and picked up the trophy just minutes after all eight nominees performed live on the Grammy stage.
In her tearful speech, she appeared to subtly take aim at the Donald Trump administration by stating that she is the “granddaughter of an immigrant” and a “product of bravery”, and added that she believes “those people deserve to be celebrated”.
“Soyeah, we are nothing without each other. Thank you so much,” she concluded.
Previouswinners of Best New Artist includeChappell Roan, who presented the award, as well asBillie Eilish,OliviaRodrigo,Dua LipaandMeganTheeStallion.
Dean released her second studio album ‘The ArtOfLoving’ last year, which landed inNME’s Albums of the Year list.The record saw her becomethe first female solo artist to have four singles in the UK Top 10 simultaneously.
In a four-star review,NMEalso said: “Dean’ssecond record, and the years that came prior to it, have placed her alongside artists likeRAYEorSam Fender. British artists who’ve ascended to bigger and bigger stages, crafting music that while sonically is in their own lanes, is filled with honest lyricism coming from a distinct voice. As Dean prepares for her own sold-out arena tours – and with her tracks soaring up the UK charts – this record comes to cement her place. With it, marks the next chapter in Dean’s career, one as a popstar risen.”
Dean also made headlines in recent months forcalling out Ticketmaster, LiveNationand AEGfor providingwhat she described as “a disgusting service”.
“The prices at which you’re allowing tickets to be re-soldisvile and completely against our wishes,” she added. “Live music should be affordable and accessible, and we need to find a new way of making that possible. BE BETTER.”
She later revealed thatit was an encounter with the story of a single mother who could not afford a ticket to her showthat inspired her to speak out.
In response to Dean’s criticisms, Ticketmaster put a cap on the price of Dean’s resale tickets and offered to refund fans for any markup they already paid to resellers on Ticketmaster”.