The journey from viral content creator to a Grammy-nominated artist is a path paved with both digital triumphs and the very human anxieties of breaking into a legacy-driven industry. For Alex Warren, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter behind the hit "Ordinary," that journey has been guided by one of the most successful figures in modern music: Ed Sheeran. However, as Warren recently revealed, even the most fruitful mentorships can be subject to the occasional boundary issue—specifically when it comes to the frequency of one’s outgoing emails.
During the high-energy atmosphere of the Live From E! Stream at the Spotify Best New Artist Party on January 29, Warren opened up about the quirky, slightly lopsided communication dynamic he shares with the "Shape of You" superstar. With the 2026 Grammy Awards just around the distance, the spotlight on Warren has never been brighter, yet he remains refreshingly candid about his "fan-boy" tendencies. He joked that Sheeran might have hit a limit with his inbox, suggesting that the veteran musician had temporarily stopped responding to his frequent messages.
The "Ordinary" singer shared a humorous anecdote regarding his latest attempt to bridge the digital gap. Warren admitted that his last note to Sheeran was essentially a digital olive branch—an apology for his own nonstop correspondence. "I swear to god, I can show you right now," Warren told host Erin Lim Rhodes, recalling the specific content of the message. He had reached out to Sheeran with a humble New Year’s resolution: "So sorry for emailing you. My New Year’s resolution is to email you less."
While the revelation was met with laughter, Warren insisted that his intention to pull back is genuine. The singer admitted that he has a habit of reaching out to Sheeran for every "slightest convenience" or minor life update. This endearing, if slightly over-eager, approach highlights the unique position Warren occupies. Having risen to fame as a member of the Hype House, he belongs to a generation of artists who grew up with unprecedented access to their idols, and transitioning that parasocial admiration into a professional peer relationship is a learning curve he is navigating in real-time.
Despite his resolution to give Sheeran’s inbox a rest, Warren’s penchant for connection hasn’t dimmed when it comes to his fellow 2026 Grammy nominees. Rather than viewing the Best New Artist category as a cutthroat competition, Warren has embraced it as a community. Upon learning of his nomination, his first instinct was to reach out to his peers. He revealed that he made a concerted effort to FaceTime as many fellow nominees as possible, including Lola Young, Katseye, The Marías, Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, and sombr.
"I’m such a people person," Warren explained, noting that he had particularly meaningful conversations with sombr and Addison Rae. For Warren, the outreach was born out of a mix of genuine admiration and shared nerves. He confessed to feeling the weight of the moment, stating that he wanted to check in on everyone else because he was "s–tting" himself over the magnitude of the recognition. He praised the diversity of the "Best New Artist" class, noting how every artist brings a distinct perspective and style to the table.
This sense of community is a hallmark of the 2026 Grammy season, which is shaping up to be one of the most eclectic and surprising in recent memory. As the music industry prepares for the ceremony on February 1, the list of nominations has sparked intense conversation among fans and critics alike, highlighting a year where the Recording Academy leaned into both nostalgic returns and avant-garde surprises.
Among the most discussed surprises is the inclusion of Addison Rae in the Best New Artist category. Her transition from TikTok sensation to a legitimate pop force was solidified by the viral success of "Diet Pepsi," a track that showcased a sophisticated, synth-pop aesthetic that defied early skeptics. Her nomination marks a significant moment for creators who started on social media, proving that the bridge to musical prestige is increasingly sturdy.
However, the 2026 nominations were not without their share of heartbreak. Shawn Mendes, who returned to the music scene with his deeply personal, self-titled album Shawn, found himself noticeably absent from the list of nominees. The project was a raw exploration of his mental health struggles and a departure from his more radio-friendly pop roots. While the album resonated deeply with his core fanbase, it failed to capture the necessary votes from the Recording Academy, marking a significant snub for an artist who has long been a staple of the awards circuit.
Similarly, Benson Boone, whose track "Beautiful Things" dominated the airwaves and whose album American Heart was widely expected to be a frontrunner, was shut out of the major categories. It was a surprising turn for an artist who seemed to have the momentum of a breakout year behind him. Role Model, the "Look At That Woman" singer, also found himself on the outside looking in, despite a year of critical acclaim and a growing cult following.
On the flip side, the 2026 Grammys are celebrating some remarkable "comeback" stories and unexpected surges. Justin Bieber’s latest project, SWAG, earned him three nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. This marks a triumphant return for the "Peaches" singer, who had not been nominated since 2023. His recognition suggests that the Academy still finds immense value in his evolution as a vocalist and performer.
The rap category saw a massive surprise with the return of Clipse. Brothers Pusha T and Malice proved that their chemistry is timeless with their first studio album in over a decade, Let God Sort Em Out. The project earned five nominations, including the prestigious Album of the Year and Best Rap Album, signaling a respect for the duo’s lyrical craftsmanship and their ability to command the genre after a long hiatus.
Perhaps the most historic surprise of the year belongs to the fictional realm. The Netflix film K-Pop Demon Hunters produced the earworm "Golden," performed by the fictional group HUNTR/X. The track landed a nomination for Song of the Year, making HUNTR/X the first K-pop group to compete in that specific category. They also become only the second fictional group in Grammy history to do so, following in the footsteps of The Chipmunks in 1959. This nomination reflects the Academy’s growing recognition of the intersection between film, digital media, and global pop culture.
Leading the pack of "Best New Artist" nominees in terms of overall recognition is Leon Thomas. The Victorious alum has successfully shed his child-star image to become a powerhouse in the R&B world. His album Mutt earned him a staggering six nominations, making him the only Best New Artist nominee to also land a spot in one of the "Big Four" categories with an Album of the Year nod. His sweep across the R&B categories—including Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song—positions him as a major force to be watched on awards night.
As for Alex Warren, while his hit "Ordinary" may have been snubbed in individual song categories, his presence in the Best New Artist field is a testament to his persistence and the genuine quality of his songwriting. Whether he manages to stick to his New Year’s resolution and keep his emails to Ed Sheeran at a minimum remains to be seen. However, as he prepares to take his seat at the 2026 Grammys, it is clear that Warren is no longer just a student of the game; he is a significant player in his own right.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+ on February 1 at 8 p.m. ET. As the industry gathers to celebrate a year of musical innovation, all eyes will be on artists like Warren, Thomas, and Rae to see who will walk away with the golden gramophone and define the sound of the next generation.
