Alessia Cara should have spent Monday celebrating her first ever Grammy win – the Best New Artist award in recognition of her phenomenal achievements in music.
Instead, the Canadian singer found herself responding to criticism online from people who didn’t think of her as a “new” artist.
The 21-year-old Ontario native, who released her debut album Know-It-All in late 2015, beat out three artists who’s first albums came out in 2017 (Khalid, SZA, Lil Uzi Vert). Nominee Julia Michaels has released three EPs since 2010.
Read her full statement here