Olivia Dean, Addison Rae, and Katseye Showed Off Their Star Power at Spotify’s Best New Artist Party
Ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards, speculation is swirling over who will take home the coveted Best New Artist accolade; a career-making honor previously claimed by heavyweights like Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, and Adele. With this year’s nominees including Olivia Dean, Sombr, Katseye, Addison Rae, The Marías, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young, it’s really anyone’s game. With anticipation reaching a crescendo, Spotify ushered in music’s biggest weekend on Thursday evening with its annual Best New Artist party. Hosted at The Lot at Formosa in West Hollywood, the new kids on the block came together for what’s become one of the hottest party invites in town.
Sombr, who confessed that he slept through the Grammys nomination announcement, waking up to a flurry of notifications about his nod, was soaking it all in. “Everyone in the category is an idol,” he told Vogue at the event professing his gratitude to be involved in this year’s event, which was cancelled last year due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
Catching the light in glitzy looks from Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika, the six members of buzzy girl group Katseye were all smiles. “We’ve been preparing a lot for it and working really hard,” Lara Raj shared. “Justin Bieber is performing, so I’m really excited about that too,” Daniela Avanzini chimed in, as the rest of the gang collectively nodded in agreement.
Marking his first appearance at Spotify’s Grammys pre-party, Shaboozey, a Best New Artist nominee from last year, was happy to support the next wave of trailblazing musicians. “It s really cool that they get to experience it to the fullest,” the A Bar Song hitmaker enthused. “It s awesome that these guys are over here getting the opportunity to keep being artists.” Spotting a few fellow tall artists was just a bonus: “Man, Sombr over there—it s cool to have another 6’4” guy,” Shaboozey laughed. “And I see Benson [Boone], another nominee from last year,” he added, ahead of the Mystical Magical singer jumping into his arms for a playful hug mere moments later.
The energy was contagious. Celebrity hairstylist and newly-minted New York Times bestselling author Chris Appleton—whose debut memoir Your Roots Don’t Define You was released earlier this month—was eager for Addison Rae to take the stage. “I think she’s been killing it,” Appleton, who was joined by his 21-year-old daughter Kitty-Blu, praised.
After gracing the red carpet, performers slipped backstage, gearing up to treat a full house to a selection of their biggest hits of the year. True to form, the Spotify event drew in a stacked guest list, including the likes of Zara Larsson, Tove Lo, Jesse Jo Stark, and Yungblud.
Meanwhile, in one room, partygoers fueled up on braised short ribs, Japanese teriyaki chicken, roasted potatoes, and couscous with vegetable ratatouille, while bartenders prepared speciality cocktails and mocktails like hibiscus margaritas, espresso martinis, and sparkling grapefruit coolers en masse.
Leon Thomas kicked off the string of performances, followed by Lola Young, who returned to the stage after a months-long break to focus on her health. The energy hit a fever pitch when Addison Rae peeked out from backstage. “Hi there!” she waved, taking to the mic in crystal-encrusted stiletto boots and a peplum white blazer. The TikTok star-turned-singer later ditched the jacket, dancing around in a glossy white bra.
Rounding out the show was Olivia Dean, who looked every inch the rising pop sensation in a sequined checker-print dress by 16Arlington—and her signature bouncy curls. With nearly every phone in the room raised to capture her every move, the British singer—a frontrunner for this year’s prize—performed fan-favorites including Nice to Each Other, So Easy (To Fall In Love), and Man I Need.
Though Dean wrapped up just before 11:30 p.m., the party was far from over. Droves of attendees streamed into rooms and outside, where a parade of late-night bites were on offer—think cheeseburgers from Heavy Handed, tacos courtesy of Tacos Por Vida, mini pizzas at a LaSorted stand, and sweet treats from the Churro Man booth.
If the Spotify Best New Artist bash was any indication, Sunday is destined to deliver no shortage of internet-breaking performances—and plenty of fun fashion to swoon over.
Photo by: Frazer Harrison1/20Olivia Dean
Rich Polk/Getty Images2/20Addison Rae
