Benson Boone Jokes He ‘Can’t Believe’ His Song Didn’t Get a Grammy Nod Despite Its ‘Lyrical Genius’
Benson Boone didn’t get the mystical, magical day he was hoping for when the Grammys unveiled its list of 2026 nominees Nov. 7.
Related
In a hilarious Monday (Nov. 10) post on his Instagram Story, the pop star joked about getting snubbed by the Recording Academy, which did not recognize his song “Mystical Magical” in any of its categories for next year. Sharing a brightly lit selfie in which he stares straight into the camera, his eyes comically wide, Boone wrote, “Can’t believe moonbeam ice cream didn’t get a Grammy nom,” referencing one of the most meme-worthy lyrics in his Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit.
The singer added, “it’s literally pure lyrical genius.”
The post comes a few days after the nominations ceremony, which revealed Kendrick Lamar as the 2026 frontrunner with a total of nine nods. Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Cirkut picked up seven nominations apiece, while Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Leon Thomas earned six.
Boone, however, was shut out from the awards, despite the success of his album American Heart, which dropped in June and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Multiple songs from the LP charted on the Hot 100, including “Mystical Magical,” which reached No. 17.
Though the Washington native wasn’t recognized this year, he did score a best new artist nomination last year. That particular category was especially stacked in 2025, with Chappell Roan ultimately winning over Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Khruangbin, RAYE, Shaboozey and Teddy Swims. This year, Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young will duke it out for the prize.
Boone is currently on tour in Europe, with his final show for the run slated for Nov. 18 in Stockholm. A couple of weeks later, he’ll perform on Dec. 4 slot at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the United Arab Emirates.
His trek recently hit a bump in the road when the American Idol alum was forced to cancel his show in Birmingham due to vocal issues. “I am so so sorry but I will not be able to perform tonight,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “I have tried everything I can to revive my voice, but I cannot give you the show I’d like to be able to give you with the condition of my throat right now. This is genuinely the crappiest feeling, I am so sorry. I promise you I will do everything in my power to make it up to you.”
Powered by Billboard.