Every year, the Grammy Awards leave music lovers buzzing about who got nominated, who won big, and, most importantly, who was left in the dust. It’s not just about trophies. It’s a pop culture moment that shapes legacies. And yet, there are always glaring omissions that make the audience collectively say, “Wait…what?” The 2025 Grammys were no different. Some categories delivered as expected (shoutout to Beyoncé), but others flipped the script in ways nobody saw coming. Legends like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish walked away empty-handed, and surprising wins by underdogs left fans and critics debating the Recording Academy’s decision-making. Let's break down the biggest snubs, shocking surprises, and why these choices have everyone talking.

Taylor Swift Goes 0-for-6

Taylor Swift walking into the Grammys with zero wins is like showing up to a potluck and everyone ignoring the dish everyone loves. After smashing records with her global tour and re-recorded albums, many thought this year would add more hardware to her already packed shelf. Instead, the Midnights (The 3am Edition) star walked away without a single trophy despite six nominations, failing to add to her storied Grammy-winning legacy.

Fans have speculated this might be due to the Academy choosing to “share the wealth” and give other artists their moment. Even so, the lack of recognition stings. Tracks like “Lavender Haze” and “Anti-Hero” dominated conversations in 2024, so their exclusion from big wins raises questions about how voters truly define “the best.”

Billie Eilish's Losing Streak Continues

After a jaw-dropping rise in her career with multiple Grammy sweeps in previous years, Billie Eilish went home empty-handed once again. Seven nominations for her hauntingly beautiful ballad “Birds of a Feather,” created alongside her brother Finneas, set expectations sky-high. This marks her second major Grammy shutout after her 2022 loss spree, making it hard to ignore the bad luck streak.

Her past wins had some fans labeling her as the "Academy’s favorite," but this year proves that even Billie isn’t immune to the unpredictable nature of the awards.

Jack Antonoff Gets Snubbed in Shocking Upset

Known as one of the most influential producers of his generation, Jack Antonoff seemed like a lock for Producer of the Year (Non-Classical). Instead of celebrating a fourth consecutive win, Antonoff was snubbed. The industry giant worked on several critically acclaimed projects, including collaborations with Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift. His absence from the winner’s circle feels like a major oversight.

Critics often point to Antonoff’s unique ability to blend heartfelt emotion with modern sounds, making his projects stand out. Skipping over someone who shaped pop music this deeply feels like denying a painter recognition for influencing an entire movement.

André 3000’s Surprising Snub

New Blue Sun came out, and André 3000 turned heads by offering fans an alternative jazz album. Even though he received nominations for Best Alternative Jazz Album and Album of the Year, many thought his work would claim at least one win. His announcement that he wouldn’t attend the awards show sparked rumors of disinterest from voters, but the snubs still shocked fans of the legendary OutKast member.

Meshell Ndegeocello’s No More Water nabbed Best Alternative Jazz Album. Her acceptance speech, delivered in a sweatshirt honoring André, shows the shared respect in the music community. However, it doesn’t make this moment any less bittersweet for his supporters.

Metallica's Loss Leaves Fans Outraged

When a rock icon with a legacy like Metallica is overlooked, fans notice. The band, known for redefining metal, lost the Best Metal Performance category to Gojira’s powerful collaboration “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça Ira!).” Many had pegged Metallica’s “Screaming Suicide” for an easy win in their long-favored category.

This marks only the second time Metallica has lost this award, leaving metal lovers reminiscing about the band’s dominance in previous years. It’s hard to deny that competition was fierce, but skipping Metallica still feels like a miss for one of the genre’s biggest names.

Residente Outs Bad Bunny in a Twist No One Predicted

Bad Bunny is unstoppable on the global charts, so his unexpected loss to Residente’s Las Letras Ya No Importan was jaw-dropping. Residente’s win for Best Música Urbana Album shows the Academy’s willingness to reward artistic innovation over pure popularity. Seeing Bad Bunny’s Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana walked past in this category still felt strange for many fans.

Residente’s lyrical depth often pushes boundaries, but the loss leaves room for debates about how nominations balance creative integrity versus commercial dominance in categories like these.

Sierra Ferrell Sparkles With Historic Sweep

The night wasn’t all about snubs. Sierra Ferrell delivered one of the biggest surprises of the Grammys by winning four awards. Her album Trail of Flowers swept the Americana categories, leaving fans of the genre delighted. Ferrell’s distinct voice and storytelling earned awards for tracks like “American Dreaming” and “Lighthouse,” cementing her place as a rising star.

Her success serves as a reminder that the Grammys still have the power to create moments of discovery. Her wins came as a shock to some, but others saw them as long overdue recognition for the rich, emotional depth she brings to her work.