Ayra Starr Got Ready With Us Before Hitting the 2026 Grammys Red Carpet
The singer was nominated for her second-ever golden gramophone in the Best African Music Performance category.
Let’s be honest: Ayra Starr owned Grammys Week this year. The Nigerian and Beninese artist stayed booked and busy this awards season, as she pulled up to Universal Music Group’s fab gifting suite, MusiCares’ 2026 Person of the Year Gala honoring Mariah Carey, and graced the cover of Cosmopolitan’s surprise Sound of Now digital issue alongside other musical powerhouses like Olivia Dean, Conan Gray, and KATSEYE.
This wasn’t the R&B and Afrobeats darling’s first foray into Grammys season. She earned her first nomination in 2024 for her international smash hit, “Rush,” in 2024, and received another nod from the Recording Academy in the Best African Music Performance category for her track, “Gimme Dat,” at this year’s ceremony.
On top of being the voice behind our playlist’s favorite party tracks (and, probably yours too as she’s got a whopping 17 million monthly listeners on Spotify), Ayra is also the queen of pulling looks. Of course, that includes her chic getup for this year’s Grammys—and she brought Cosmo along for the ride with exclusive photos (and captions!) beyond the red carpet.
“It’s time to get ready for the Grammys!!!”
“I’m just here in my cute little robe and my diamonds. 💎”
“Shoes, shoes, shoessss!!!”
“These incredible jewels came all the way from Nigeria just for me. Thank you, Akano diamonds!”
“Purple and pink glowing glam.”
“How beautiful are these flowerrrrs?? Starr girl energy only for 2026.”
“We went with the Le Silla Clivage slingback pumps in a deep-purple patent. They’re sleek, they’re timeless, and they worked perfectly with the dress.”
“I feel AMAZING! The dress, the jewels, the glam, the hair… It was everything! Custom Nicola Bacchilega just for me—he’s such an incredible talent.”
“On our way to the Grammy red carpet. Here we gooo!”
“We made iiit! Here I am on the 2026 Grammy red carpet. The Grammys are so iconic, and I feel so incredibly blessed to be here. Lots of Love, Ayra Starr.”
Photographer: Michael Junior Onafowokan and Renee Sanganoo
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