Let’s be real for a second. If you look at the trophy shelf of a guy who has basically defined pop music for fifteen years, you’d expect it to be overflowing with gold gramophones. But the reality of Justin Bieber at Grammys ceremonies is actually kind of a head-scratcher. He has dozens of nominations—27 to be exact, as of the 2026 cycle—but his actual win count is surprisingly low.
It's a weird dynamic.
Every year, the internet melts down over what he’s wearing or who he’s sitting with, yet the Recording Academy has often been his toughest critic. For a long time, he was the "teen idol" they wouldn't take seriously. Then he was the "rebel" they couldn't quite pin down. Now, he's a veteran who still manages to stir up drama just by showing up (or, more recently, by staying home).
The 2026 Shift: Why "SWAG" Changed Everything
The buzz right now is all about his latest project, SWAG. After a bit of a quiet period and some major life changes—including becoming a father and finally cutting professional ties with Scooter Braun—Justin dropped this album with almost zero warning over the summer of 2025.
It worked.
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The Academy actually paid attention this time. For the 2026 Grammys, Justin Bieber pulled in four major nods:
- Album of the Year (SWAG)
- Best Pop Vocal Album
- Best Pop Solo Performance (for the track "Daisies")
- Best R&B Performance (for "YUKON")
Honestly, that last one is the most significant. If you remember the Changes era back in 2021, Justin was pretty vocal about his frustration. He’d set out to make a "pure R&B" record, but the Grammys shoved it into the Pop categories. He even posted on Instagram about how "strange" it felt to have his R&B melodies and hip-hop drums ignored by the genre committees. Seeing "YUKON" land in the R&B category for 2026 feels like a "we finally hear you" moment from the voters.
A History of "Wait, He Only Won Two?"
It sounds fake, but up until recently, Justin Bieber only had two Grammys.
Think about that. "Baby" didn't win. "Sorry" didn't win. "Love Yourself" didn't win.
His first win didn't even happen until 2016. He was 21 years old and had already been a global superstar for half a decade. He took home Best Dance Recording for "Where Are Ü Now" with Skrillex and Diplo. Fun fact: he wasn't even in the room when they announced it. He was across the street eating sushi at Katsuya because it was a "pre-telecast" award. He later joked on social media that if it had been on camera, it would have been his award, but since it was off-camera, it was his manager’s.
His second win came in 2021 for "10,000 Hours" with Dan + Shay. People often forget that one because it was in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category. It’s a bit of a trivia stumper: Justin Bieber has as many Grammys for Country music as he does for Electronic music.
The Red Carpet Chaos
We have to talk about the Balenciaga suit from 2022. You know the one.
It was comically oversized. Huge blazer, pants that could fit three people, a pink beanie, and those chunky Balenciaga Crocs. People absolutely roasted him. But that’s the thing about Justin Bieber at Grammys events; he stopped trying to play the "pretty boy" role a long time ago.
Back in 2011, he was the kid in the white tuxedo vest and the "Bieber Hair." By 2016, he was rocking a Saint Laurent white dinner jacket with a tiny Jaxon Bieber (his brother) as his date. But the 2022 look? That was a statement of "I don't care about your dress code." It’s a recurring theme. He often skips the red carpet entirely now, or shows up in gear that looks like he rolled out of bed—which, ironically, costs more than most people's cars.
Why He Skipped Recently
Fans were pretty bummed when Justin and Hailey skipped the 2025 ceremony. There were all these "sources" claiming divorce rumors or that he was "downcast" in New York.
The truth was way more boring.
They had a five-month-old son at home. Justin didn't have any nominations that year, he wasn't performing, and he basically just wanted to be a dad. It’s a major pivot from the guy who used to live for the spotlight. It seems like the 2026 show might be his big return to the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), especially with SWAG being such a critical darling.
What to watch for next:
If you're following the 2026 awards cycle, here is what actually matters for Bieber's legacy:
- The R&B Validation: Keep a close eye on the Best R&B Performance category. Winning this would mean more to him than another Pop trophy because it validates how he sees himself as an artist.
- The "SWAG II" Factor: He already released a follow-up album in September 2025. While it’s not eligible for this year, the momentum from the current nominations will likely carry over into next year's conversation.
- The Performance Rumors: There’s heavy talk about him headlining Coachella 2026. A Grammy performance would be the perfect "warm-up" to show the world he’s back to 100% health and vocal strength.
Check the official Grammy site or the Recording Academy’s social feeds as we get closer to the ceremony date. The "Big Four" categories usually get announced late in the night, so if you're waiting for the Album of the Year result, settle in for a long evening.