How did Zara Larsson react to her first Grammy nod? Pop star reveals emotional moment backstage before biggest show of her career

Zara Larsson's first Grammy nomination landed in the middle of controlled chaos, during the soundcheck of the biggest show of her career.

In an exclusive interview with People, published Jan. 2, Zara Larsson opened up on how she reacted upon learning that she received her first-ever Grammy nomination.

"I was going to do the biggest show of my career that night. We were sound-checking in Dublin, Ireland. My band was on stage, all my dancers, the whole crew was there. And my manager called me, like, 'The Grammys. The Grammys.' Everyone was just jumping and celebrating with me. It was really, really sweet to have that moment where all of us were together. I got so overwhelmed with emotion."

The Swedish pop star's hit 2025 release, Midnight Sun, earned a Grammy nod for Best Dance Pop Recording, making it her first-ever nomination from the Recording Academy. She went on, telling the outlet:

"And then I felt really silly, like, 'Oh my God, wait, I feel so silly for crying over this.' But then I felt really silly for feeling silly because I'm going to just be in my emotions. I called my mom, my sister, my boyfriend, my friends. I'm so happy it happened during that exact moment. I knew maybe one week before, like, 'Oh, the nominations will be up soon.' And I just completely forgot about it. I didn't know it was that day. And then, boom."

The 2026 Grammys will take place on Feb. 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Also Read: Who’s nominated for the 2026 GRAMMYs? See the full list of nominees

How does Zara Larsson feel about competing against Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, and more?

Zara Larsson vies for the title against Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, Tate McRae, and PinkPantheress. When asked how she feels about competing for the trophy alongside these artists, the Lush Life hitmaker shared:

"I'm in good company because we're talking, like, superstars. I am just very honored to be in that category, honestly. I really am. Of course, I would love to win, and it would be such an amazing moment to really top off this incredible and amazing year that I've had."

Meanwhile, the Best Dance Pop Recording nomination is a new Grammy category, introduced in 2024, which aims to recognize music that lives on the border between pop and dance.

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Zara Larsson explained to People how much the award would mean to her, after pop stars Kylie Minogue and Charlie XCX won the title.

"It would mean I am solidified. Whatever I do from 2026 onward, if I have that to my name, that's like — you know how sometimes in series and stuff when it's Royals, they come in and blow their little trumpet thing and present them? It's like, 'Zara Larsson, Grammy winner.' If I get that to my name, it's like, 'Yeah, thank you. That's how you can speak to me.' Even if you just have one, you are a Grammy-winning artist forever. And I have a perfect spot for it on my bookshelf."

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