Yungblud has spoken candidly about the complicated emotions surrounding his first-ever Grammy nominations, describing the moment as both deeply meaningful and quietly heartbreaking. Appearing on The Q Podcast, the 28-year-old British artist said the recognition feels “like an honour — but also tragic,” because it’s tied to a loss he’s still processing.
The Recording Academy shortlisted Yungblud in three major rock categories: Best Rock Album for Idols, Best Rock Song for “Zombie,” and Best Rock Performance for his live rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” That performance took place at Back to the Beginning, the emotional final Black Sabbath concert in July 2025 — a night Yungblud now realizes would become one of his last shared moments with Ozzy Osbourne.
Ozzy, Yungblud’s hero and mentor, died just weeks after the show. That reality has reshaped how the nominations feel. Yungblud explained that being recognized for a live performance — one that can’t be edited, fixed, or recreated — makes the moment especially heavy. It was sung directly to Ozzy, in real time, and now stands frozen as something he can never share with him again.
Beyond awards season, Yungblud is navigating a demanding chapter in his career. He recently canceled the remainder of his 2025 tour on medical advice and is now mapping out global dates that extend as far as 2028, all while continuing to write new music. The pace, he admitted, makes it even more important to stay grounded and emotionally present.
Rather than chasing momentum blindly, Yungblud says he wants to truly feel what this moment represents — gratitude, grief, growth and all. The Grammy nods symbolize a milestone he once dreamed of, but they also underline the absence of the person who inspired him to dream in the first place.
What makes Yungblud’s reaction stand out isn’t hesitation or false modesty — it’s honesty. His achievement is real. So is the loss. And for him, the two are now inseparable.
