What’s a Grammy ceremony without controversy? This year’s affair has already had the troublesome proclamation from Recording Academy President and chief executive Neil Portnow that women artists need to “step up” in order to be better represented at future award ceremonies. After artists like Pink, Charli XCX and Sheryl Crow struck back Portnow later released a rather half-assed apology for his comments, admitting, “I regret that I wasn’t as articulate as I should have been.” But wait, there’s more.

The only woman who took home a Grammy in the general categories on Sunday night was Alessia Cara, winning Best New Artist. Fans of the other nominees for the prize – Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels and SZA – cried foul, pointing out that Alessia released her breakthrough single, “Here”, in 2015. Technically, according to the Recording Academy’s guidelines, the award is “For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.” “Here” was released two year prior, so they all may be onto something here. There were also those reports noting she was snubbed from receiving the same nomination last year.

The 21-year-old singer took to social media to defend herself. On Monday, she made a lengthy post on Instagram, stating she had nothing to do with her win, and admitting that “I am not going to be upset about something I’ve wanted since I was a kid, not to mention have worked really hard for.” She encouraged her fans to give other up and coming artists the same reception they’ve given her, reinforcing her idea that everyone deserves the “same shot” she was given. It’s really heartfelt, and I kind of feel bad that her big day was marred by negativity.

to address the apparent backlash regarding winning something I had no control over: I didn’t log onto grammy.com and submit myself. that’s not how it works. I didn’t ask to be submitted either because there are other artists that deserve the acknowledgment. but I was nominated and won and I am not going to be upset about something I’ve wanted since I was a kid, not to mention have worked really hard for. I meant everything I said about everyone deserving the same shot. there is a big issue in the industry that perpetuates the idea that an artist’s talent and hard work should take a back seat to popularity and numbers. and I’m aware that my music wasn’t released yesterday, I’m aware that, yes, my music has become fairly popular in the last year. but I’m trying very hard to use the platform I’ve been given to talk about these things and bring light to issues that aren’t fair, all while trying to make the most of the weird, amazing success I’ve been lucky enough to have. I will not let everything I’ve worked for be diminished by people taking offence to my accomplishments and feeling the need to tell me how much I suck. here’s something fun! I’ve been thinking I suck since I was old enough to know what sucking meant. I’ve beat u to it. And that’s why this means a lot to me. despite my 183625 insecurities, I’ve been shown that what I’ve created is worth something and that people actually give a shit. all of the years feeling like I wasn’t good at anything or that I was naive for dreaming about something improbable have paid off in a way that I have yet to process. I know it sounds cheesy and dumb but it’s the honest truth. thanks to everyone who’s shown me kindness and support along the way. I’ll stop talking now.

A post shared by ALESSIA CARA (@alessiasmusic) on Jan 29, 2018 at 10:21am PST

In looking back at the history of the Best New Artist Grammy, it’s certainly had its ups and downs. You probably wouldn’t have wanted to win one in the 1970s, that’s for sure (Starland Vocal Band, anyone? A Taste of Honey?) Hell, Milli Vanilli won that award back in 1990 (only to have it taken away after the band was found out to be made up of male models lip syncing over studio musicians’ vocals). And look at some of the artists who were nominated but didn’t win: Taylor Swift (2008, lost to Amy Winehouse), Kayne West (2005, lost to Maroon 5) and – like him or not – Justin Bieber, who lost in 2011 to Esperanza Spalding. All I’m saying, fans of those other artists, is that losing a Grammy is not the end of a musical career. It could be just the beginning…unless you’re the Starland Vocal Band.

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