Grammy Awards 2026 Premiere Ceremony Kicks Off with 86 Awards in Los Angeles
The 2026 Grammy Awards commenced with the Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles early Monday morning, where a total of 86 awards were distributed across various categories. This event took place ahead of the main telecast, setting the stage for a day of musical recognition and celebration.
Anoushka Shankar Loses Best Global Music Performance to Bad Bunny
Among the awards presented was the highly anticipated Best Global Music Performance category. Indian musician and composer Anoushka Shankar was a nominee in this category, but she ultimately lost the Grammy to global superstar Bad Bunny for his track 'EoO'. Bad Bunny's victory came over Shankar's nominated piece 'Daybreak', which featured collaborations with Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar.
The category was competitive, with other nominees including Ciro Hurtado for 'Cantando en el Camino', Angélique Kidjo for 'Jerusalema', Yeisy Rojas for 'Inmigrante Y Que?', and Shakti for 'Shrini's Dream (Live)'. The Premiere Ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater, was hosted by musician Darren Criss, who opened the show by presenting the first award of the day.
Anoushka Shankar's Decision to Skip the Grammys
Ahead of the ceremony, Anoushka Shankar took to Instagram to share a heartfelt note addressing her nominations and her conscious decision to stay away from the awards. She expressed pride in her 12th and 13th Grammy nominations for her album Chapter III: We Return to Light and the lead song 'Daybreak', respectively.
Shankar explained, "This year, I made a conscious decision not to go, and to be on the road in India during the ceremony. I wanted to practice what I preach, which is that awards don't matter like the actual connection playing music for people affords us as artists. I wanted to take care of my mental health too."
Behind-the-Scenes Realities of Awards Shows
In her candid message, Shankar delved into the pressures and financial burdens associated with major awards events. She highlighted the challenges artists face, such as spending thousands of dollars on travel, marketing, and networking, only to often face disappointment.
She noted, "Sometimes the process of spending literally thousands of dollars on the privilege of flying, attending, marketing and getting sucked in to the machine, hugely anxious about outfits and red carpets, starting to hope to win and then not winning (again and again!) can take a toll. There is always a bigger mainstream artist dropping into our global categories who has MORE money to spend on marketing."
Shankar emphasized that her reflections were not born of bitterness but aimed to acknowledge the behind-the-scenes reality. She added that while winning would be joyful, it doesn't hold deeper significance compared to her artistic life.
Shankar's Focus on Artistic Life in India
Concluding her Instagram post, Shankar expressed contentment with her choice to be in India, where her album Chapter III originated. She shared her excitement about working with her band and crew, describing it as her "TRUEST artistic life."
She wrote, "Being here in India, where Chapter III really began, working and laughing and playing with my incredible band and crew, is the stuff of reality, of my TRUEST artistic life. Wishing luck and love to everyone nominated tonight- especially those whose music I genuinely love and respect!- and to our audience in Mumbai - we can't wait to see you!"
Anoushka Shankar's Grammy Legacy
Despite the loss, Anoushka Shankar remains one of the most nominated Indian artists in Grammy history. With 'Daybreak' marking her 13th nomination overall, her contributions to global music continue to be recognized on prestigious platforms. Her thoughtful insights into the awards process offer a rare glimpse into the personal and professional dynamics that shape the entertainment industry.
