Here’s Why It’s So Easy To Fall in Love With Olivia Dean

A star is born, or, more appropriately, has found their spotlight. At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist, besting other breakthrough acts like KATSEYE, sombr, and Lola Young. Her win is notable not just because she’s the first British artist to take home the award since Dua Lipa in 2019, but also in how it was the latest sign that Olivia Dean is here to stay.

Over the past year, Olivia went from a talented if underrated artist to one of pop music’s biggest breakout stars whose neo-soul-infused songs have been streamed hundreds of millions of times, went on tour with Sabrina Carpenter as her opening act, and received praise from Sir Elton John. Add to that the 26-year-old’s full name, Olivia Lauryn Hill, is inspired by Lauryn Hill, making it feel like Olivia was meant for this moment. If you’re curious to know more about the rising star, here are a few reasons why Olivia Dean should be on your radar.

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She Worked Her Way From the Ground Up

Olivia, who grew up in north London, has been surrounded by music all her life. She attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology when she was 15, the same school that has Amy Winehouse, Adele, FKA Twigs, and RAYE among its alumni. At 17, Olivia was performing on the streets of London’s South Bank. She then made her debut with the release of her single Reason to Stay in 2018.

Since then, it’s been hustle and grind for the British musician before she saw a big breakthrough in 2025 with the release of her second album, The Art of Loving, which brought her into the mainstream. In a time when it seems like it’s just nepo babies filling the entertainment industry, Olivia Dean is a breath of fresh air as an artist who used her talent, hard work, and perseverance to get to where she is today.

Her Music Is Refreshingly Moving

The best way to describe Olivia Dean’s music is relaxed soul pop. She trades in electronic beats and synths for pillowy, jazz-toned sounds. It’s pop-R&B meets soulful jazz, which makes Olivia’s music easy on the ears while helping her stand out in the pop crowd. Her elegant vocals, combined with her polished sound, deliver a nostalgic feeling through a modern lens. It’s a style she’s been working on for most of her career, but it comes to fruition in The Art of Loving, an intimate body of work that deals with love, loss, heartbreak, and growth.

The tracks have a storyteller quality to them, making them easy-going yet honest and emotional. From Man I Need, So Easy (To Fall In Love), Nice To Each Other, and more, there’s a joyful romance that weaves through each track. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to feel, move, and dance, which is no wonder Olivia made history as the first solo female artist to have four singles on the UK Top 10 singles chart at the same time.  

Aside from The Art of Loving, we recommend you also check out her 2023 debut album Messy, which was nominated for a Mercury Prize and includes her hit single Dive, as well as It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be, the original song she made for the most recent Bridget Jones movie. And don’t sleep on her cover of You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes, which showcases her gifts in pop-soul.  

Her Lyrics Come From The Heart  

Olivia puts her heart on her sleeve as the artist digs deep for her music. As she told NYLON, “I would never write a song if it wasn’t something that actually happened to me.” Her lyrics document a woman’s experiences with love and life, making them equal parts personal and relatable. It’s sincere, and the honesty is helped through Olivia’s vocals and delivery. With tracks like Man I Need centering on her firmness in wanting to know if someone is right for her, and So Easy (To Fall In Love) focusing on her strengths as a lover, she makes life and love sound like a journey worth exploring.  

She’s A Rising Style Star

If you’ve been following Olivia Dean, then you’d know that the Grammy-winning artist knows how to turn a look. Her style marries a free-flowing and vintage vibe with polished dresses and silhouettes. Together with her stylist Simone Beyene, Olivia has formed a signature aesthetic that has come into its own in the past year. And fashion houses have taken notice of the star. Olivia has worn looks from Versace and Miu Miu, is a brand ambassador for Chanel (she wore the brand to the Grammys), and is also the face of Burberry’s Her fragrance. It’s not just music where she’s succeeding, as Olivia is also becoming a style star.  

She Knows How To Use Her Platform

What we love more than a talented rising star is a talented rising star with a backbone. And that’s the case with Olivia Dean. When others would expect an artist to keep their opinions to themselves, Olivia has used her platform to speak up. In November 2025, Olivia took to Instagram to call out and criticize ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster for letting scalpers get their hands on tickets for her upcoming tour and sell them for exorbitant prices. Because of it, Ticketmaster placed a cap on resale ticket prices and gave full refunds to fans who paid more than expected.

​The self-described feminist also used her Grammys speech to celebrate her immigrant roots. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” she said. “I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people ought to be celebrated.” It’s clear that standing up for what’s right runs in the family, as Olivia’s mom became the deputy leader of the Women’s Equality Party in Europe in 2020.

Photos: OLIVIA DEAN (via Instagram)