Will Lady Gaga Earn Her First Grammy Nods In Rock? She’s Trying

Thanks to her album Mayhem and several songs from its tracklist — including “Abracadabra,” “Disease,” and “Perfect Celebrity” — Lady Gaga is expected to be one of the most nominated artists at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Nominations for music’s biggest night will be unveiled in early November, and the singer and actress will almost certainly stand out as one of the top recognized stars of the year.

It’s not shocking to see Gaga submit multiple works for consideration, or to even come out as one of the biggest winners. What makes this year interesting is that the superstar is vying for trophies in the rock categories — fields where she has never competed before. According to her For Your Consideration ad campaign, the pop icon is looking to earn nods in pop, dance, and rock verticals, and if she can manage that feat, she’d be one of a select number of acts to do so.

Can “Perfect Celebrity” Earn Lady Gaga Her First Rock Grammy Nominations?

Gaga has submitted her song “Perfect Celebrity” for both Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song. Best Rock Song goes to songwriters, while Best Rock Performance recognizes excellence for any record categorized under the genre. “Perfect Celebrity” was never released as a single from Mayhem, but it’s still eligible and may finally earn the singer — who has long shared her love of not just rock music but hard rock — a nod in the field.

What Grammy Categories Is Mayhem Entered In for 2026?

Mayhem is a strong contender not just for a nomination for Album of the Year, but for the prize itself. Gaga has been nominated in that top category four times — with The Fame, The Fame Monster, Born This Way, and Love for Sale with Tony Bennett — but she’s never managed to come out on top.

The same title is also in the running for Best Pop Vocal Album, which Gaga has claimed in the past. Her EP The Fame Monster added to her trophy shelf early in her career, while Born This Way, Joanne, and Chromatica all upped her nomination count, but ultimately didn’t take home the prize.

What Categories Has Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” Been Submitted For?

Gaga has submitted “Abracadabra,” one of the biggest hits from Mayhem, in multiple fields — and it may be her best shot at scoring more gold. The track has been sent to be considered for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Dance Pop Recording, and Best Music Video.

Song of the Year and Record of the Year are two of the biggest fields, and they’re included in a group that was once known as the Big Four, alongside Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Gaga has been nominated multiple times — three times in Record of the Year and four times for Song of the Year, including at the most recent ceremony with “Die With a Smile” alongside Bruno Mars — but she has never managed to score a win.

Will “Abracadabra” Bring Lady Gaga Another Music Video Grammy?

When it comes to Best Music Video, Gaga is a previous champion. When the category was titled Best Short Form Music Video, “Bad Romance” earned her a fifth career trophy. “I Get a Kick Out of You,” one of many collaborations with Bennett, was also oddly nominated once.

Why Won’t Lady Gaga Be Nominated for the “Abracadabra” Remix?

“Abracadabra” may also end up nominated for Best Remixed Recording, although Gaga herself won’t earn a nod, as she’s not the credited remixer on the cut. Instead, producer Gesaffelstein — who is credited on the Mayhem track “Killah” and worked with her on the full-length — would be the one to come out on top.

How Does “Disease” Fit Into Lady Gaga’s Grammy Strategy for 2026?

Last fall, Gaga delivered the song “Disease” as one of the earliest singles from Mayhem. That tune has only been pushed for Best Pop Solo Performance, so the singer can differentiate between hits. Gaga has seen “You and I,” “Million Reasons,” and “Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?)” nominated in the past, with the latter track winning in 2019. When the field was gendered, she scored Best Female Pop Vocal Performance with “Bad Romance” back in 2011.

Why Is “Die With a Smile” Ineligible for the 2026 Grammys?

“Die With a Smile,” the biggest single from Mayhem, is not eligible this year. The track — which shot right to No. 1 on the Hot 100 and has turned out to be one of Gaga’s biggest hits (and the same can be said for featured artist Bruno Mars) — was nominated for both Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2025 ceremony, and the two superstars took home the second of those trophies. Both artists had already won in that field in the past, and they rank among the most successful names in the vertical, which has changed names multiple times throughout the years.