Blackpink’s Rosé Makes K-Pop History at Grammy Awards
Blackpink’s Rosé made history Sunday night as the first solo K-pop artist to perform at the Grammy Awards, joining Bruno Mars for a fire opening that set the tone for the 68th annual Grammy Awards. The duo took to the stage at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles to deliver an electric rendition of their multicultural pop smash, “APT.,” with Rosé channeling a pop-punk vibe in a tie and platinum blonde hair.
The performance marked a defining moment for the rising solo artist, who earned her first-ever Grammy nominations this year alongside Bruno Mars for their collaborative hit. Both artists are competing for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance—a remarkable achievement for Rosé, who represents the first K-pop singer to secure nominations in the general field categories.
A Landmark Moment for K-Pop on Music’s Biggest Stage
“I cannot believe my life. I am STILL trying to process everything,” Rosé shared on Instagram following her historic Grammy nominations in November. “This Grammy nomination, it feels like, ‘Oh my gosh! I never thought that would be possible!”
The Grammy pre-show ceremony earlier in the day had already marked another breakthrough: “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won song written for visual media, making it the first time a K-pop act won a Grammy. The bilingual songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, underscoring the genre’s expanding global footprint at music’s most prestigious event.
A Dynamic Evening at the 2026 Grammy Awards
The grammys opening act 2026 set an electric tone for the ceremony, which was hosted by Trevor Noah for a sixth and final time. The evening celebrated an incredible breadth of talent, with Kendrick Lamar leading all artists with nine nominations, followed by Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Canadian producer Cirkut with seven nominations each.
Additional standout performances came from Sabrina Carpenter with her “Manchel” kiss-off, while the evening showcased multiple first-time winners, underscoring the diversity and depth of talent being recognized at the 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony. Those looking for where to watch the grammys live could stream the event on CBS and Paramount+, as well as access content through grammy.com.
Rosé’s Solo Journey and Future Plans
In a recent appearance on “Call Her Daddy,” Rosé opened up about what her Grammy recognition means for her emerging solo career, which she began after years of success with Blackpink. She hinted at potential solo tour plans but emphasized her desire to build a solid artistic foundation first.
“I just want everyone to be patient,” she said. “I feel like once I do start, I feel like I’d love it so much that I would want to do it for so long, so I don’t want to ruin that experience.” With only 12 songs in her current catalog, Rosé is taking her time to craft a complete solo world to present to audiences worldwide.
Other Notable Performers and Moments
- Tyler the Creator performed as part of the main Grammy show lineup
- Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Pharrell Williams, and Clipse also took the stage
- All eight of this year’s best new artist nominees delivered performances
- Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash honored Ozzy Osbourne
- Ms. Lauryn Hill paid tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack
The 2026 Grammy Awards exemplified a watershed moment for Korean pop music on the global stage, with both Rosé’s historic performance and “KPop Demon Hunters'” groundbreaking win solidifying K-pop’s place among the Recording Academy’s most celebrated categories.
