Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae has officially received her first Grammy nomination, albeit in a category that may surprise some of her fans.
On Friday morning, the 21-year-old pop sensation was nominated for Best Dance/Pop Recording for her track “Just Keep Watching”, featured in the film F1, starring Brad Pitt. Sharing her elation on Instagram Stories, McRae wrote, “Grammy nominated!!!!!! Thank u!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @recordingacademy”, reflecting both excitement and disbelief. The song had already garnered significant acclaim, securing her VMAs in September for Song of the Summer and Best Editing.
In this category, McRae faces stiff competition from a roster of high-profile artists, including Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco for “Bluest Flame”, Lady Gaga for “Abracadabra”, Zara Larsson for “Midnight Sun”, and PinkPantheress for “Illegal.”
The nomination comes as something of a surprise, not because of the track itself, but due to the notable absence of her third studio album, So Close to What, from this year’s Grammy considerations. The album, released on 21 February, has been McRae’s most commercially successful effort to date, securing her first No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Featuring singles such as “Revolving Door”, “It’s OK I’m OK”, and “Sports Car”, the album was heavily promoted, with McRae performing on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and at the VMAs.
Speculation has arisen among fans that McRae might have been overlooked for Best New Artist, but she was ineligible due to the category’s rules, which limit submissions to three per artist—a threshold she had already reached.
Meanwhile, McRae is concluding her So Close to What World Tour, which began on 18 March in Mexico City and is scheduled to wrap up on Saturday, 8 November, in Inglewood, California. The setlist features her latest single “Tit for Tat,” reportedly inspired by a recent breakup, further highlighting her ability to blend personal storytelling with infectious pop production.
Tate McRae 2026 Grammy Nomination Snapshot
| Category | Song | Film / Album | Notable Competitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Dance/Pop Recording | Just Keep Watching | F1 soundtrack | Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, Lady Gaga, Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress |
With this nomination, Tate McRae joins the ranks of emerging pop stars recognised by the Recording Academy, proving her growing influence on both the music and cinematic worlds. Fans now eagerly await whether this unexpected nod will translate into her first Grammy victory.