Jeff Neira/CBSAlessia Cara is defending her Best New Artist Grammy win after receiving backlash from online haters.
In a post on Instagram, she clarifies that she “had no control over” being nominated in the category and she’s aware that her music isn’t technically as “new” as fellow nominees SZA, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert and Julia Michaels.
“I didn’t ask to be submitted either because there are other artists that deserve the acknowledgment,” Alessia writes. “But I was nominated and won and I am not going to be upset about something I’ve wanted since I was a kid, not to mention have worked really hard for.”
She says she meant what she said in her acceptance speech about “everyone deserving the same shot” and that “there is a big issue in the industry that perpetuates the idea that an artist’s talent and hard work should take a back seat to popularity and numbers.”
But she adds, “I will not let everything I’ve worked for be diminished by people taking offense to my accomplishments and feeling the need to tell me how much I suck.”
“Despite my 183625 insecurities, I’ve been shown that what I’ve created is worth something and that people actually give a s***,” Alessia goes on. “All of the years feeling like I wasn’t good at anything or that I was naive for dreaming about something improbable have paid off in a way that I have yet to process. I know it sounds cheesy and dumb but it’s the honest truth.”
Alessia concludes, “Thanks to everyone who’s shown me kindness and support along the way. I’ll stop talking now.”
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