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Lola Young has emerged as one of pop’s most compelling breakout voices by 2026, propelled by the global success of her viral single “Messy.” The British singer-songwriter first gained widespread attention when the track exploded on TikTok and climbed to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. By 2026, Young’s momentum had only grown. She won her first Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy,” cementing her rise as a new force in global pop music. Here’s what to know about the singer’s wild year so far, including her onstage collapse and her major comeback.

Lola Young’s breakout hit, ‘Messy,’ solidified global fame in 2025

Lola Young has become one of the most talked-about breakout stars in pop music in 2026, largely propelled by the viral success of her single “Messy.” The 25-year-old British singer-songwriter grew up in South London and began writing songs as a child before attending the prestigious BRIT School. And she had been building a career for years after signing with Island Records at 18. But her mainstream breakthrough arrived in 2024 when “Messy” exploded on TikTok. Users began using the emotionally raw track in millions of videos, pushing it into the global spotlight. The song ultimately topped the UK Singles Chart and became a major international hit. It reached No. 1 in multiple countries and broke into the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

“My relationship was ending, and it was closure for me,” Young said of the song while speaking to Variety in January 2025. “Then I started to think about my relationship with myself. I’ve got a big a** mouth, and I’m a loud woman. I’ve got to own it.”

By 2026, the momentum from that viral breakthrough had translated into major industry recognition. Young won her first Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy,” marking a milestone that confirmed her shift from viral sensation to established global artist. At the same time, she noted that she didn’t immediately believe the song would be a hit. “My label claims that they knew, but I don’t think anyone can ever know what’s going to work — and that’s no shade,” she told Variety. “We had a clear vision of what the sound was and what the singles were and what was going to be prioritized.”

She now feels ‘grateful’ for the onstage collapse she experienced

In September 2025, Lola Young collapsed onstage while performing at the All Things Go Music Festival in New York. During her performance, she suddenly appeared unsteady following several songs. She then dropped her microphone and fell backwards. The incident led Young to step away from the spotlight and focus on her health and recovery.

In 2026, Young spoke to Rolling Stone about the incident. “I am very grateful that it happened because it was, what do you call that? Like, a breaking point which allowed me to then be able to be here today, allowed me to be better for my fans, better for the future, and better for myself,” she said.

Young explained how she needed to take breaks and slow down. And while she received some hate for it, she knows her health is more important than pleasing fans. In the past, she’s also been open about her cocaine addiction and experience living with schizoaffective disorder.

“There was a bunch of hate, but you know what? F— it,” she told the outlet. “When you’re doing something, there’s always going to be a couple motherf—ers talking s—. But at the same time, it was a decision, like I said, that I had to make, and it was sad that I had to do that. What else was I going to do, die? That was the reality of where my addiction was heading.”

Lola Young returned with a live piano rendition of ‘Messy’ at the Grammy Awards in 2026

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At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2026, British singer-songwriter Lola Young delivered a stripped-down piano rendition of “Messy,” creating one of the night’s most emotional moments. Seated at the piano during the Best New Artist medley, Young performed the song with minimal instrumentation. The intimate arrangement offered a contrast to the show’s more elaborate performances and highlighted the vulnerable lyrics.

The performance capped off a major milestone for Young. She later took home the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Messy,” marking her first win at the ceremony. The victory came after a turbulent year that included a hiatus from performing following a 2025 onstage collapse, making the Grammys appearance a symbolic comeback.

In the press room afterward, Young expressed gratitude to fans and said returning to the stage felt deeply meaningful after her time away.

The singer/songwriter is back to touring in 2026

Lola Young is entering a new phase of her career focused on rebuilding momentum while balancing her health and creative output. Much of her current work revolves around promoting and performing music from her third studio album, I’m Only F**king Myself, released in September 2025.

In 2026, Young is gradually returning to the spotlight with new live appearances and tour plans. After stepping away from public performances to focus on recovery, she resumed performing with select events and an intimate comeback show at the London Palladium. She also has a series of U.K. dates scheduled for the summer. The run of concerts marks her cautious return to touring after canceling previous shows following the health scare.

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