When the 2026 Grammy nominations rolled around, there was one particular lyrical masterpiece many fans (and the artist himself) were looking for: "moonbeam ice cream." Unfortunately for Benson Boone, his whimsical dessert of a lyric didn't quite make the cut for a gramophone this year, but his reaction was pure lyrical genius.
TL;DR: The Scoop on Benson Boone's Grammy Reaction
- Benson Boone's song "Mystical Magical" and album "American Heart" received zero nominations for the 2026 Grammys.
- Boone humorously trolled the snub on Instagram, highlighting the viral "moonbeam ice cream" lyric.
- Other artists like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Leon Thomas are leading the 2026 nominations, with some surprising additions like Addison Rae.
On November 7, 2025, the music world buzzed with the announcement of the 2026 Grammy nominations. While big names like Kendrick Lamar (leading with nine nods) and Lady Gaga (with seven) dominated the headlines, some artists found themselves conspicuously absent from the lists. One such artist was Benson Boone, whose album "American Heart" and viral hit "Mystical Magical" didn't land a single nomination.
But instead of sulking, the 23-year-old pop sensation took to Instagram Stories on November 10, sharing a selfie with wide eyes and a caption that instantly went viral itself. He declared, "Can't believe 'moonbeam ice cream' didn't get a Grammy nom. It's literally pure lyrical genius." This playful self-troll perfectly encapsulated the artist's charmingly self-aware persona.
"Can't believe 'moonbeam ice cream' didn't get a Grammy nom. It's literally pure lyrical genius."
— Benson Boone, on his Instagram Stories (November 10, 2025)
Benson Boone’s SNL debut was a masterclass in charisma, vocal range, and subtle showmanship. From his American Idol roots to the moonbeam magic of his Saturday Night Live performance, Boone proves he’s a star in full ascent.
The Unexpected Journey of "Moonbeam Ice Cream"
For those wondering about the origin of this now-iconic lyric, Boone himself cleared things up during a June 5 appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." He revealed that his co-writer, Jack LaFrantz, came up with the line during a studio session. "Jack's sitting there and he just goes, 'What if you just did this?' It looked like he was going to say something really good and then he goes, 'Moonbeam ice cream, taking off your blue jeans!'"
Boone admitted he initially saw it as a placeholder. Yet, upon listening back, he realized its quirky appeal. "I was like, 'Moonbeam ice cream? Hell yeah!'" This spontaneous, unserious line resonated deeply with fans, turning into a viral meme after Boone first teased the chorus on TikTok back in April. It even inspired a limited-edition "Moonbeam Ice Cream" Crumbl cookie, proving its cultural impact beyond a Grammy nod.
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The Bigger Picture: Grammy Surprises and Snubs This Year
While Boone's reaction was a highlight, the 2026 Grammy nominations brought plenty of other talking points. Here's a quick rundown of some notable mentions:
Leading the Pack with Multiple Nominations:
- Kendrick Lamar: 9 nominations
- Lady Gaga: 7 nominations
- Jack Antonoff: 7 nominations
- Cirkut: 7 nominations
- Sabrina Carpenter: 6 nominations
- Bad Bunny: 6 nominations
- Leon Thomas: 6 nominations (and the only Best New Artist nominee to also land a "Big Four" nod for Album of the Year with "Mutt")
The Unexpected and the Overlooked:
- Surprise Nod: Addison Rae — From TikTok videos to a Best New Artist nomination, her track "Diet Pepsi" caught the Academy's ear.
- Another Surprise: K-Pop Demon Hunters — The fictional band HUNTR/X made history, becoming the first K-pop group to vie for Song of the Year with "Golden," and only the second fictional group ever (the first being The Chipmunks in 1959).
- Return of a Duo: Clipse — Brothers Pusha T and Malice reunited for "Let God Sort Em Out," earning five nods, including Album of the Year and Best Rap Album.
- Bieber's Back: Justin Bieber — His latest project "SWAG" secured him three nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.
- Notable Snubs: Artists like Shawn Mendes ("Shawn" album) and Role Model were left off the nomination lists entirely.
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Why Commercial Success Doesn't Always Equal Grammy Gold
It's easy for fans to wonder why a song as widely popular and culturally pervasive as "Mystical Magical"—which helped Boone's album "American Heart" debut at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and sent the single to No. 17 on the Hot 100 (Source: Billboard Media, LLC)—might be overlooked by the Recording Academy. The Grammys, after all, aren't just a popularity contest. They're meant to recognize artistic merit, technical proficiency, and overall impact within specific genre categories, often judged by a body of industry peers.
A limitation of the Grammy selection process is that sheer viral success, while a testament to a song's reach, doesn't always translate into the specific criteria the Academy looks for. For example, a track might dominate TikTok trends and streaming charts, but if its songwriting or production is deemed less innovative compared to other contenders in highly competitive categories, it might miss out. This doesn't diminish the song's achievement; it simply highlights the nuanced (and sometimes subjective) nature of award selections.
On the flip side, a counterpoint is that Benson Boone isn't being entirely ignored by the Academy. He earned a Best New Artist nomination for the 2025 Grammys, showing recognition for his emerging talent and breakout track "Beautiful Things" (though Chappell Roan ultimately took home that award). This year's snub for "Mystical Magical" could simply be a reflection of the intense competition within pop categories or the Academy's focus on different artistic expressions this cycle. As Boone himself mentioned to Rolling Stone, this journey helps keep his ego in check: "I'm not the king of the world... I'm still an up-and-coming artist." (Source: Rolling Stone, "How Benson Boone Found Himself Again," November 11, 2025).
Example: The Meme That Keeps on Giving
Imagine scrolling through social media, seeing a friend frustrated over a minor inconvenience, and their caption reads: "Can't believe my coffee didn't get a Grammy nom, it's literally pure lyrical genius." This kind of casual, self-deprecating humor, directly inspired by Boone's "moonbeam ice cream" meme, demonstrates how a single, unexpected lyric can transcend its musical context and become a part of everyday digital language, creating a lasting impact far beyond any awards ceremony.
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What's Next for Benson Boone and Music Fans?
While a Grammy nod isn't in the cards this time, Benson Boone is hardly slowing down. He's currently on his "American Heart" European tour, set to wrap up on November 18 in Stockholm, before heading to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 4. For fans, this means more opportunities to experience his music live and follow his journey as he continues to evolve.
The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony is slated for February 1, 2026, offering a night where new legends are crowned and musical narratives continue to unfold. Whether artists receive a golden gramophone or just a viral moment, their impact on culture is undeniable.
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FAQ: Your Burning Grammy Questions Answered
- E! News, "Grammys 2026: Best New Artist Nominees," (Retrieved November 12, 2025).
- Billboard, "Benson Boone Didn’t Get the Mystical, Magical Day He Was Hoping For," by Rosy Cordero, November 11, 2025.
- Fox News, "Benson Boone Trolls Himself After Receiving Zero Grammy Nominations," by Janelle Ash, November 11, 2025.
- Just Jared, "Benson Boone Reacts to Being Snubbed by Grammys 2026 After His Best New Artist Nomination Last Year," by JJ Staff, November 11, 2025.
- MusicTimes.com, "Benson Boone's Response After 'Mystical Magic' Misses Grammy Nods," by Madelaine Panganiban, November 12, 2025.
- Happy Mag, "Pop Sensation Benson Boone fires back at the 2026 Grammy Awards snub with tongue-in-cheek flair and a lyric he insists was ‘pure genius’," by Veniana Vucago, November 12, 2025.
- Uproxx, "Benson Boone Made A Great Self-Deprecating Joke After Not Getting Any Grammy Nominations," by Derrick Rossignol, November 11, 2025.
- Rolling Stone, "Benson Boone Trolls Himself After Receiving Zero Grammy Nominations," by Larisha Paul, November 11, 2025.