When the 2026 Grammy nominations were announced, two names appeared that most people are used to seeing in a different context. Addison Rae and Alex Warren, who are mostly known for their TikTok dances and Hype House days on the internet, are being recognized by one of the most respected award shows. Their nominations have sparked conversations about whether their social media past deserves a place among those in the music industry. 

Both Rae and Warren started out creating TikTok videos on their own accounts, as well as an account for a content house called The Hype House. Over time, their fan base grew, and so did their careers, bridging the gap between their social media and music personas.

“I knew both of them as former Hype House members, but I didn’t think they were really relevant anymore,” senior Audrey Smith said. 

The jump from influencer to the Grammys shows how quickly online creators can shift into new fields. In the past, the journey to a music career often began with small concerts and slowly building a fan base. Now, a small viral moment can launch someone into a national spotlight almost instantly. 

The nominations raised questions about how the Recording Academy decided which artists stand out each year. With millions of followers watching their every move, creators can reach audiences long before releasing their first single.

“I’m really surprised, but I understand Alex Warren’s music is popular,” senior Meira Hefter said. “Addison Rae, on the other hand, her only good song was ‘Diet Pepsi,’ so I don’t really understand the nomination.”

Recognition from award shows reflects how the music industry changes over time, and at this point, social media now plays a major role in that change. The announcement sparked conversations about long-established artists who have yet to receive their deserved acknowledgment. 

“My first reaction was shocked and mad because actual artists like Lana Del Rey have never even won a Grammy yet,” junior Nathalie Kurapatkina said. 

Some people were familiar with the creators’ music long before the nominations by hearing their songs through TikTok edits, fan posts and sound trends. Music platforms have changed dramatically in recent years. A single song can become extremely recognizable before those listening to it even know the artist behind it. TikTok, in particular, has become a place where a single audio clip can launch a song into massive popularity, pushing it into mainstream attention. 

“When your video is on the For You page, it gets a lot of hype, and people find you, making you get more and more popular from there,” Hefter said. 

The fast pace of social media allows its users to get noticed instantly, no matter how long they’ve been making music, especially if they have a huge following to begin with. The amount of visibility online often becomes a huge factor in how quickly someone can step into the music industry.

“Because everyone is on TikTok all the time, if your song blows up, then you can become a one-hit wonder or more,” Smith said. 

But with the amazing opportunities that come with the visibility, it can also bring challenges. The same kind of exposure that helps a creator enter the music world can also bring criticism and pressure. 

“TikTok can give your music career exposure, but not always in a good way because TikTok can be pretty mean,” Kurapatkina said. 

Shifting into a new field becomes easier when a creator has a large platform. Rae and Warren have millions of followers watching their updates. This causes pressure on the artists to stay up to par, handling their regular and promotional content.

“They had big followings, and people already liked them, which allowed them to gain a lot of hype for their music,” Hefter said. 

Many influencers, like Rae and Warren, work with professional teams when entering the music industry, which then makes it possible to reach bigger audiences almost instantly. 

“With their huge managers and publicity, they can hop into the music industry, and their TikTok fame plays a huge role,” Smith said. 

Viral groups and early influencer content houses like the Hype House continue to influence how audiences respond to creators years later. 

“They were a part of the Hype House, so of course they are going to have viral music,” senior Jazzy Riley said. 

Even with new projects, earlier content can shape how people view an influencer becoming a musician. The shift from 15-second videos to live performances or full albums can feel unusual for those who first saw Rae and Warren scrolling through social media.

“I can’t actually imagine Addison Rae performing,” Hefter said. “I just imagine her in the Hype House doing dances.”

Some people see the transition as sudden, especially when creators didn’t originally build their platform around content promoting their music. 

“It doesn’t feel sincere,” Smith said. “Becoming famous for dancing and drama and then saying you have a passion for music is weird to me.”

Early impressions stick, especially when creators were originally known for viral trends rather than entertainment careers outside social media.

“I have always just known them as TikTokers. It is hard to associate them with music,” Kurapatkina said. 

Listeners approach their music in different ways. Some actively search out songs, while others encounter their music trending on social media without ever purposely seeking it out.

“I’ve never willingly listened to their music,” Smith said. “I only ever hear it on TikTok.”

Some found the songs enjoyable, but not particularly something they would subject themselves to listening to on repeat. 

“It is music I wouldn’t really expect to be in anyone’s playlist,” Kurapatkina said. 

Award nominations often bring up discussions about what deserves recognition and how genres and styles evolve. Some felt the recognition was fair, but were unsure how the music compared to more established artists.

“I think they deserve the nomination, but I don’t think they deserve to win,” Smith said. 

Others questioned whether the music released by Rae and Warren represented the level of impact typically associated with Grammy-winning work. 

“I don’t think their music deserves Grammy-level recognition because it doesn’t really impact the industry,” Kurapatkina said.

As the Grammys approach, Rae and Warren’s nominations continue to spark conversations. Their rise shows how quickly platforms like TikTok can completely transform entertainment, reshape people’s views and open doors that used to seem too far. Whether their presence is viewed with excitement or confusion, Rae and Warren at the Grammys show a new era where the path to the music industry and to one of the biggest award shows looks very different from what it used to be.