Alex Warren Opens Up About Grammy Performance Malfunction

Alex Warren has revealed just how devastating his 2026 Grammy Awards performance mishap felt in the moment.

A Technical Breakdown

The Best New Artist nominee was set to perform his hit single Ordinary as part of a medley with fellow nominees. But just 30 seconds before stepping on stage, Warren realized his in-ear monitors weren’t working. Despite rehearsing all week, he was forced to sing without proper audio feedback.

“It was horrifying,” Warren told Call Her Daddy. He explained that he could only hear his own voice loudly, with echoes disrupting his timing. At one point, he removed an earpiece, which made things worse. By the time the issue corrected itself, the performance was nearly over.

Fear and Frustration

To make matters worse, Warren was elevated on a platform during the set. “I’m terrified of heights,” he admitted, saying he was more focused on surviving the moment than enjoying the performance. Afterward, Warren confessed he wanted to leave the ceremony. “My head was on my wife’s shoulder the entire time. I did not wanna look up. I did not wanna talk to anybody,” he recalled.

Support From Peers

Chappell Roan, who won Best New Artist in 2025, offered words of encouragement. “She came up to me, and she was like, ‘Dude, if anyone understands, it’s the people in this room, and you sounded amazing,’” Warren said. Her kindness helped him through the night.

The Aftermath

When Olivia Dean was announced as Best New Artist, Warren admitted he felt crushed. “I’m so destroyed. I’m like, ‘There’s no shot I’m winning this. I just messed that up so bad,’” he said. Still, he congratulated Dean, acknowledging she deserved the honor.

Warren’s candid account highlights the pressures of live performance and the emotional toll of technical failures. Despite the setback, his vulnerability resonated with fans, showing the human side of an artist navigating the spotlight.