Samara Joy, a 23-year-old jazz singer from the Bronx, New York, won best new artist at the 2023 Grammy Awards Sunday night. There are 10 artists nominated in this category, including Anitta, Omar Apollo, Muni Long and Latto.
Olivia Rodrigo, who won an award in this category at last year’s show, presented the award, describing it as “the award that has gone to my heroes, from The Beatles to Billie Eilish. … It will always be a shining moment in my life.”
When she heard her name was the winner, Joy was clearly surprised and excited; As she accepted the award on stage, she acknowledged the talent in the room, thanking everyone for their contributions to the music industry, saying “you are all so inspirational to me.”
“I have been singing all my life. … Thank you so much for this honor, thank you to everyone who listened to me and supported me,” Joy said, adding: “Being here for who I am… being here by pointing be yourself, by being yourself. That’s how I was born, I’m so grateful.”
Born into a musical family, the singer also thanked her grandparents and father; Her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, were the founders of the Philadelphia gospel group The Savettes.
Joy wore a red leather dress and braided her hair to accept the award on Sunday night.
