Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX Shine at Early Grammy Wins

During the Grammy's premiere ceremony, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX took home significant awards, setting a vibrant tone for the prestigious night.

In a dazzling opening to the 2025 Grammy Awards, Sabrina Carpenter claimed the first Grammy for the evening, achieving the title of Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit song "Espresso." The summer anthem has resonated with fans, marking a significant milestone in her career. Meanwhile, British sensation Charli XCX celebrated a trio of victories, winning Best Dance/Pop Album for her electrifying project "Brat" and Best Dance/Pop Song for its standout track "Von Dutch." These wins represent Charli’s first Grammys as a solo artist.

The awards were conferred during the Grammy's "premiere ceremony," which kicked off before the main events set to commence at 5pm PST. Among the notable performances was a remastered rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water," performed by prominent artists Yolanda Adams and Angelique Kidjo. This poignant performance served as a tribute to the victims of the recent LA wildfires, emphasizing the importance of community resilience in the aftermath of tragedy.

Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. addressed the audience, highlighting the powerful role of music as a source of inspiration and unity. He dedicated the ceremony to first responders involved in combating the wildfires, underscoring the awards' commitment to recognizing both artistry and communal strength.

As anticipation builds for the evening’s main show, Beyoncé emerges as the top nominee with eleven nominations, while she has already secured recognition for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group alongside Miley Cyrus for their collaboration, "II Most Wanted." However, she recently faced a setback, losing the Best Country Song award to Kacey Musgraves, who delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech reflecting on the struggles faced in today’s world.

Musgraves, who previously won Album of the Year for "Golden Hour" in 2019, leads an impressive list of nominees this year alongside Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and André 3000 with his spiritually infused jazz album, "New Blue Sun." As the evening progresses, fans are eager to see if Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter will capitalize on their early wins and continue to excel in the major categories, with hopes high as both artists are also nominated for Album of the Year. Though neither artist was in attendance to receive their early accolades personally, Charli's collaborative producer, Finn Keane, accepted the award for "Von Dutch" on her behalf, lauding her talents and contribution to the music scene.