In 2024, Ariana Grande made a grand return with her album Eternal Sunshine after a four-year hiatus, an album celebrated for both its commercial success and critical acclaim. Many praised it as an epic comeback for the “7 Rings” vocalist, with Rolling Stone even calling it a “timeless album.” Yet, to fans’ dismay, Grande was shut out from the most prestigious Grammy categories for 2025, especially Album of the Year, a category where she was widely anticipated to be a strong contender.
Grande secured only three Grammy nominations: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “The Boy Is Mine,” Best Dance Pop Recording for “Yes and?”, and Best Pop Vocal Album for Eternal Sunshine. Despite Eternal Sunshine being nominated alongside albums from other pop heavyweights like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter in the Best Pop Vocal Album category, her absence from the top categories—Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist—has left many fans and critics confused.
This seeming “snub” has sparked considerable discussion. Given her album’s overwhelming success and critical endorsement, Grande was a favorite for top honors. Some speculate that Grammy voting biases or the intense competition in pop this year may have contributed to her exclusion from the key nominations. Regardless, the disappointment felt by fans and industry insiders points to a larger conversation about how Grammy recognition doesn’t always align with commercial and critical success.
Analysis of Ariana Grande’s Grammy Snub:
Unexpected Absence in Top Categories: Despite releasing a critically-acclaimed album that resonated well with fans and the industry, Grande’s exclusion from categories like Album of the Year has left many baffled. This exclusion raises questions about Grammy selection processes and voting dynamics that might disadvantage some artists over others.
Competition and Voting Dynamics: The 2025 Grammy Awards are filled with strong contenders in the pop and mainstream music scene. With names like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Kendrick Lamar dominating multiple categories, it’s possible that competition was particularly stiff this year, impacting Grande’s visibility in key categories.
Fan Reaction and Industry Implications: Grande’s exclusion could suggest underlying biases or preferences within the Grammy voting system. For fans, this “snub” isn’t merely disappointing but also calls into question the fairness of the Grammy selection process, fueling ongoing debates about the institution’s relationship with mainstream and fan-favorite artists.
In conclusion, while Eternal Sunshine and Ariana Grande’s hard work are recognized in the Grammy nominations, her absence from the major categories casts a shadow over what otherwise would be a triumphant comeback. Whether this is an oversight or an indicator of Grammy voting tendencies, it’s clear that Grande’s talent and impact remain unquestionable in the music industry.
