Grammy 2026 Shock: Why Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” Was Snubbed Despite Global Dominance
The Aftermath of Grammy 2026: “APT.” Left Empty-Handed Amidst Industry Outrage
Grammy 2026 Shock. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena, will be remembered as one of the most controversial nights in music history. While predictions were high for Rosé (Blackpink) and Bruno Mars to sweep the night with their viral sensation “APT.”, the duo walked away with zero wins.
The results of this outcome have generated extensive discussions throughout the United States and within the worldwide K-pop community. The Recording Academy maintains its opposition to K-pop soloists which it has done since its establishment or the competition proved to be too challenging for the artists. The event details which occurred on that night will be revealed through our examination.
[Grammy 2026 Predictions: Is Rosé & Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ a Winner?]
[Video:- Grammy 2026 Predictions: Is Rosé & Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ a Winner?
The “APT.” Snub in the USA
Right now, the trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok in the US is #GrammySnub. Despite opening the ceremony with an “electrifying” live performance, Rosé and Bruno Mars lost in all three categories they were nominated for:
- Record of the Year: Lost to Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s “Luther.”
- Song of the Year: Lost to Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower.”
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Lost to Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo’s “Defying Gravity.”
Grammy 2026 Official Winners vs. Predictions
Here is how the “Big Four” and major categories actually played out compared to the buzz:
| Category | The Winner (Actual) | The “Snubbed” Favorite |
|---|---|---|
| Album of the Year | Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos | Kendrick Lamar – GNX |
| Record of the Year | Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther | Rosé & Bruno Mars – APT. |
| Song of the Year | Billie Eilish – Wildflower | Lady Gaga – Abracadabra |
| Best New Artist | Olivia Dean | Addison Rae / KATSEYE |
Why “APT.” Still Won the Cultural War
Even without a trophy, Rosé made history as the first K-pop female soloist to be nominated in major general field categories.
- Global Numbers: “APT.” remains the most streamed collaboration of the last year.
- Live Impact: Their opening performance was hailed as the “highlight of the night” by US critics.
- Bruno’s Streak: This was the first time since 2013 that Bruno Mars attended the Grammys and didn’t win a single award.
Fan Sentiment Analysis: Post-Grammy Buzz
The following chart shows the shift in social media sentiment in the US following the announcement of the Record of the Year:
USA Fan Sentiment: Post-Grammy “APT.” Loss
Disappointed
Agree with Kendrick
Proud of Rosé
Source: Aggregated Social Media Sentiment (Feb 2-4, 2026)
Key Takeaways from the 2026 Ceremony
- Bad Bunny’s Historic Win: He became the first artist to win Album of the Year with a Spanish-language album.
- Political Statements: Many artists, including Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny, used their stage time to protest ICE policies, making it a very political night.
- K-Pop’s Glass Ceiling: While Rosé performed, K-pop still hasn’t secured a “Big Three” win (AOTY, ROTY, SOTY).
Summary of Major Wins
| Artist | Major Awards Won |
|---|---|
| Kendrick Lamar | Record of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance |
| Lady Gaga | Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Dance Pop Recording |
| Billie Eilish | Song of the Year |
Conclusion
The 2026 Grammys proved that while popularity and “APT.” dominated the charts, the Recording Academy still prioritizes long-standing industry favorites like Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish for the top honors. However, for Rosé, the performance and the nomination are just the beginning of her journey as a global pop powerhouse.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Did Rosé and Bruno Mars win any Grammys for “APT.”?
A. No, despite three nominations, they did not win any awards at the 2026 Grammys.
Q2. Who won Record of the Year at the 2026 Grammys?
A. Kendrick Lamar and SZA won for their collaboration “Luther.”
Q3. Why is everyone talking about “ICE” at the Grammys?
A. Several winners, including Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish, wore “ICE Out” pins or spoke against US immigration policies during their speeches.
Q4. Will “APT.” be eligible for next year?
A. No, its eligibility was for the 2026 ceremony.