The 2025 Grammy Awards have revealed their nominations, and two high-profile pop stars, Dua Lipa and Katy Perry, are notably absent from the major categories. Despite their previous successes and highly anticipated returns, both artists failed to earn nominations this year, leaving fans and critics puzzled. So, why did Dua Lipa and Katy Perry walk away empty-handed at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards?
1. Dua Lipa’s Struggle to Match Future Nostalgia‘s Success
Dua Lipa made a highly anticipated return with her album Radical Optimism, but it failed to reach the same heights as her 2020 smash hit Future Nostalgia. The album received mixed reviews from critics and fans, who had high expectations after the immense success of her previous work. While Future Nostalgia earned her multiple Grammy wins, Radical Optimism did not resonate in the same way, and this dip in performance affected her chances at the 2025 Grammy nominations.
The absence of Radical Optimism from major categories, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year, indicates that it didn’t have the same industry impact as her prior work. Despite Dua Lipa’s ongoing popularity and her strong presence in the global music scene, the Grammy voters didn’t seem to find the same level of excellence in her latest album, leaving her with no nominations for the upcoming ceremony.
2. Katy Perry’s 143 Receives Lukewarm Reception
Katy Perry, who has been a staple in the pop music industry for over a decade, also faced disappointment with her latest album 143. Unlike her previous records, which dominated the charts and earned critical acclaim, 143 received lukewarm reviews from both music critics and fans. The album failed to spark the excitement and buzz that Perry’s earlier works, like Teenage Dream and Prism, did.
The lack of strong commercial performance and positive critical reception left 143 out of the running for significant Grammy nominations. As a result, Katy Perry, who was once a frequent Grammy contender, was left empty-handed in 2025. This marks a significant departure from her earlier success at the award show, where she had once been a favorite for top honors.
3. The Intense Competition at the 2025 Grammys
One of the major factors contributing to Dua Lipa and Katy Perry’s Grammy snub is the fierce competition in 2025. The pop category is filled with strong contenders like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish, all of whom released critically acclaimed albums that captured the attention of both the public and the Grammy voters. In such a crowded field, it’s difficult for even well-established artists like Lipa and Perry to stand out, especially when their recent albums did not perform as well as expected.
4. Changing Trends in Pop Music
The 2025 Grammy nominations reflect the evolving tastes of both music listeners and the industry. Pop music is constantly changing, and artists who fail to innovate or deliver projects that align with current trends may struggle to make an impact. Both Radical Optimism and 143 didn’t quite meet the cultural moment in the way previous works from Dua Lipa and Katy Perry did, which may have contributed to their absence from the nominations this year.
A Tough Year for Two Pop Icons
While Dua Lipa and Katy Perry are undoubtedly talented artists, their recent albums didn’t manage to make the kind of impact needed to secure Grammy nominations in 2025. Whether it was a case of trying to recapture past success or not meeting the evolving expectations of both the industry and listeners, the fact remains that both stars will be absent from this year’s Grammy stage. For fans, this is a reminder that the music industry can be unpredictable, and even the most iconic pop stars face challenges when it comes to staying relevant and competitive in an ever-changing landscape.
