Ariana Grande will match SZA and Bruno Mars if “Defying Gravity,” her duet with Cynthia Erivo, wins the Best Pop Duo/Group Grammy, which she has claimed before. LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 26: Ariana Grande attends the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
In a few days, Ariana Grande, along with hundreds of other musicians, will find out if the music they made in the past eligibility period earns the top recognition from the Recording Academy, with a Grammy. The pop superstar is currently nominated for two trophies: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Defying Gravity,” her duet with Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo, as well as Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. Grande, alongside Erivo and several producers, is named as a nominee for the first of two Wicked soundtracks.
Grande has never before been nominated in the compilation field, while she’s been in the running for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance – and even won in the past. If she can come out on top in the pop field, the superstar will join an exclusive club of some of the most successful pop musicians of the past decade or so.
Ariana Grande’s “Defying Gravity” at the Grammys
If “Defying Gravity” comes out on top in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Grande will snag her second career win in the category. She previously claimed the honor alongside Lady Gaga, as their smash single “Rain on Me” was named the champion back in 2021.
Ariana Grande Could Match Bruno Mars and SZA
With a pair of Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammys to her credit, Grande would match both Bruno Mars and SZA for the second-most trophies in this category.
SZA was the first to double her prizes, as her collaborations with Doja Cat (“Kiss Me More”) and Phoebe Bridgers (“Ghost in the Machine”) snagged the trophy in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Mars first won in this field alongside Mark Ronson a decade ago, when “Uptown Funk” led the charge. He is also the current holder of this Grammy, as last year “Die With a Smile,” his vintage-feeling duet with Gaga, added to his trophy shelf.
Lady Gaga Leads All Pop Stars
Gaga has one more Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy than either SZA or Mars, and she leads all artists with a trio of these honors. Gaga’s wins include “Shallow” with Bradley Cooper, “Rain on Me,” and “Die With a Smile.”
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars at the 67th GRAMMY Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena on February 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Billboard via Getty Images
Ariana Grande Is Tied with Coldplay in This Grammy Field
Grande is currently tied with Coldplay for the most nominations in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance space, as they have both appeared five times. In addition to “Rain on Me,” the singer and actress has also previously competed with “Bang Bang,” alongside Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, “Boyfriend” with Social House, and last year attached to R&B talents Brandy and Monica, as the three put an inventive spin on the classic “The Boy Is Mine.”
Coldplay has never won this award.
The Nominees for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2026
Should “Defying Gravity” win this honor, Grande will make history, while Erivo will win her first pop Grammy, though the two Wicked actors face tough competition this time around. Both SZA and Mars, whom Grande is hoping to tie with a second Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award, are in the running. Rosé and Mars’s “Apt.,” as well as SZA and Kendrick Lamar’s “30 for 30,” could come out on top, helping them match Gaga’s record.
They are also up against Katseye’s “Gabriela,” as well as “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters. That latter tune, which is also nominated for the Best Original Song Academy Award, credits the fictional girl group Huntr/x, as well as singers Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami.
Ariana Grande’s Career Grammy Totals
Grande’s two current Grammy nominations upped her career total to a milestone 20 chances to win hardware. So far, she’s only been named the champion 10% of the time.
Grande first became a Grammy winner back in 2019, when Sweetener dominated the Best Pop Vocal Album category. Two years later, “Rain on Me” doubled her sum, and Grande is hoping to add a third honor – if not also a fourth – at the same time.
The winners of the 2026 Grammy Awards will be announced live on CBS on February 1.