Adéla has revealed that she chose not to submit herself for the 2027 Grammy Awards, despite a breakout year full of chart success. 'I think it's a nomination you need to earn,' the 22-year-old Slovak singer told Who What Wear in a new cover interview.
Her decision comes just days before nominations are announced on Monday, 16 November, with her name circulating as a possible Best New Artist contender. Her viral hit 'Nicole Kidman' reached the top 10 of the Hot 100, and her debut album Prima opened at No. 1 on two Billboard charts.
There is also a detail in the timing that is easy to miss. Her album and biggest hit landed just after this year's eligibility cut-off, so the music behind her breakthrough falls into next year's cycle anyway.
ADÉLA explains why she didn’t submit herself to the 2027 GRAMMYs:
— ADÉLA Access (@AdelaAccess) November 11, 2026
"I think it's a nomination you need to earn. I have so much more work to do before I even think of that. I have my tour, and I want to start writing my next album. I think I need to do all the work I can this year… pic.twitter.com/SzJGgenh5w
Adéla's Breakout Year
Adéla said she wants to spend the coming months touring and making new music rather than chasing awards. 'I have so much more work to do before I even think of that. I have my tour, and I want to start writing my next album. I think I need to do all the work I can this year and next in order to really earn it,' she explained.
Adéla's rise has been rapid. She was eliminated early from Dream Academy, the 2023 competition series that formed the girl group KATSEYE, before building a solo career on her own terms.
Prima, released through Capitol Records on 4 September, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and topped both the Top Album Sales and Vinyl Albums charts. 'Nicole Kidman' later climbed to No. 6 on the Hot 100, giving Adéla her first top 10 hit on the chart. The song even won over the actress herself, who has publicly shown her support for the singer and her music.
Why the Timing Matters
The Grammy calendar adds useful context. Music released between 31 August 2025 and 28 August 2026 is eligible for the 2027 awards, but Prima and 'Nicole Kidman' both arrived on 4 September.
The entry window had also closed on 21 August, before Prima was even out. Her album and biggest hit would instead fall within the following year's eligibility period, though Best New Artist is judged on an artist's overall breakthrough rather than release dates alone. The Recording Academy has also expanded Best New Artist eligibility, allowing artists to be entered up to four times rather than three under the current rules.
Fans React to Her Decision
Many fans praised her approach. 'I'm not mad it. She's playing the long game. Smart. I hope the risk pays off,' one wrote.
Another spotted the timing too: 'im actually glad she did that, her songs started becoming bigger during nominations period so much voters wouldn't take her in count.'
im actually glad she did that, her songs started becoming bigger during nominations period so much voters wouldn’t take her in count, next year with a bigger campaign and her coachella pop up maybe the voters will notice her as a big contender
— TAYRIANATE (@tayrianatate) November 11, 2026
Others felt she was underselling herself. 'This is imposter syndrome. She could have definitely gotten a nomination for best new artist,' one commenter argued. A few suggested she was simply avoiding a crowded field of established stars and high-profile newcomers.
For now, Adéla seems content to wait. 'Maybe in 2028 ... I'll feel like I truly deserve to be in that room,' she said.
